Homework Five Answers - Student Fifteen
1. Identify two of the most important outcomes of the Mexican War.
Two significant results were drawn from the Mexican war. The United States acquired 525,000 square miles of territory. Also shortly into the war an amendment was added to a bill that banned slavery within the new territories. The conclusion was a lot of new territory that forbid slavery and inspired abolitionists.
2. During the time period covered by this lecture, a political party became very strong and then disappeared. Identify it, and explain why it disappeared.
Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams formed the Whig party to simply modernize America. The Whigs were typically in financially elite group compared to Andrew Jackson’s supporters who were the common American. The issue of slavery eventually divided Northern and Southern Whigs thus bringing an end to the influential political party.
3. Lincoln v. Douglas: Why do you think Douglas beat Lincoln in 1858 (say which election), but then Lincoln won the rematch in 1860 (identify the election)?
Lincoln and Douglas held these debates as a way to campaign for a seat in the Illinois senate. Douglas being a powerful speaker as well as the incumbent defeated Lincoln in the race for the senate seat. However the debates greatly increased the renown of Lincoln and when the 1960 presidential election came about he was able to win the position.
4. Why were there so many one-term presidents in the 1840s and 1850s? Explain.
Within this time frame slavery was the responsible problem for the division between the North and South. The citizens wanted to bring the issue to a conclusion. With the entire country being divided on the issue, none of the elected presidents were able to produce a just solution towards the predicament. Hence the people would elect another candidate.
5. Lincoln thought Harriet Beecher Stowe caused the Civil War. What do you think?
Harriet Beecher Stowe certainly did not cause the Civil war. However she did use her novel, being the slavery issue as a way to stimulate the tension between the North and South. I believe she saw an eventual civil war as inevitable. With that impending disaster coming Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin with the intent of making it the most important issue of the coming civil war. Thus being an infallible way to completely destroy slavery.
7. "Remember the Alamo!" Why?
The Alamo still represents itself today as a symbol of steadfast courage and honor. “Remember the Alamo” was cited throughout Texas’s revolution, so that Americans would not forget the heroes who died there and help Texas gain their freedom.
Honors Questions
H1. Discuss any of the issues or mysteries relating to this lecture (1840-1860). Could the Civil War have been avoided?
Ultimately I do not believe any agreement or compromise would bring peace between the north and the South without force. There were numerous issues that were continuously escalating and slavery simply was the one to bring about the revolution. If the north had left the south alone perhaps a slave revolt would have replaced the civil war.
H2. Hamilton v. Burr, Lincoln v. Douglas, Jefferson v. Adams - great rivalries in American history. What do they have in common? Discuss.
H5. Compare or contrast the Dred Scott decision with Roe v. Wade.
Kyle M. To be continued...
