Homework Four Answers - Student Eight

1. Explain why the North supported higher tariffs, but the South opposed them.

The North supported higher tariffs due to the profits they would receive from the south as a result of the hassle that European companies had to deal with would make northern products much less expensive.

The south opposed them for the same reasons. The higher the price of foreign goods (such as important machines like the cotton gin) the more the southerners would be pressured into buying from the north which would be unfavorable to them in a big way due to their prejudice towards the north.

4. Many say the War of 1812 was an unnecessary war. Your view, please?

While the outcome was pointless and the United States was soundly defeated by the British in combat during the time it did make Britain recognize the United States as a nation and surprisingly set peace between both sides. The British Empire demonstrated its power to the young United States and that in of itself seemed to satisfy the British.

H1. I think we overpaid in buying the Louisiana Purchase, and that it was unconstitutional also. Do you agree?

I think that in the long-run the Louisiana Purchase was a complete steal for the United States as we have profited from the land in ways we could never have guessed back when the trade was made. I think that this is one of those issues where it truly isn’t a constitutional issue. The federal government made the purchase under what could be labeled an “executive decision” on the president’s part. While it IS arguable that the power to buy the Louisiana Purchase was unconstitutional it also is pointless now as we can see the profit that the country gained from the transaction.

H4. It is said that Andrew Jackson was the first modern president. Why, and would you have voted for him?

If Andrew Jackson was the first “Modern” president then I hope that presidents nowadays are never modern. What we had with Andrew Jackson was a man who was led not by compassion for the people but by his own hunger for power. Through him the trail of tears was enacted and thousands of Native Americans were killed. He ruled through his office term like a conqueror, leaving the spoils for his followers. If anything he is an example of a person to NOT vote for. We need a president to work with the people, not to argue and fight for his way or the highway (which he vetoed). He also couldn’t seem to forgive and constantly allowed his past prejudices to influence his decisions like his bias towards bankers which made him veto the renewal of a national bank.

In many senses he was the opposite of George Washington and I would find a president like Jackson being elected nowadays to be a horrible prospect.

Debate: Is it wrong for a politician to cut a deal with another politician like the "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay?

It is not illegal; people have the right to be able to change opinions and discus matters as they feel led. Ethically though, I find that betraying your companion and manipulating the Presidential process for one’s own personal gain is selfish and greedy. The important position that is the President should not be a place of corruption and compromise.

James G