Homework Five Answers - Student Fourteen

1. Identify two of the most important outcomes of the Mexican War.

One of the most important outcomes was the huge amount of land that was annexed, and another being that the location of the border between America and Mexio was decided [the Rio Grande River].

Excellent.

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.

This political party was the Whig Party which became very popular [and powerful] in the early to mid 1800s. It was led by Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams as an opposition to policies of president Andrew Jackson. The Whigs supported the supremacy of Congress over the executive branch, and favored modernization. The main reason why the Whig Party disappeared was because it was made in opposition to Jackson, and after the Jacksonian era faded, so did the Whigs.

Good example with superb detail. But note that the slavery issue divided the Whig Party, and thereby contributed enormously to its downfall. (Minus 1) Also, I wouldn't say the Whig Party "supported the supremacy of Congress over the executive branch," but rather it supported a powerful Congress and a non-Jacksonian type of president. Good points otherwise.

3. Why were there so many one-term presidents in the 1840s and 1850s? Explain.

America was very unstable during this time, meaning it was extremely hard for a president to serve two consecutive terms. Before the Civil War, many presidents were never reelected.

Good. Instead of "unstable" I'd say "divided", but your term has support in light of the Civil War that followed.

4. Lincoln thought Harriet Beecher Stowe caused the Civil War. What do you think?

No, there was already controversy going on between the North and the South, and she just added her own two cents by writing a book with her opinions in it. Of course, she didn't make the situation any better, but it wasn't entirely her fault.

Right.

5. "Remember the Alamo!" Why?

We should remember the Alamo because it was a very important event regarding America's affiliation with Texas and Mexico, and "Remember the Alamo!" was a famous battle cry shouted by the Texans during the war.

Good.

6. The biggest question in all of American History is this: Do you think it was possible to avoid the Civil War? If so, how?

I don't think it could have been avoided. After all, the entire war began because the South wanted slaves, even though it was morally wrong. They didn't want other states telling them what to believe in, and it became a huge ordeal. This problem had to be faced sooner or later.

Excellent!

Elise F.

Grade: 59/60, with some terrific answers. Well done.--Andy Schlafly 17:48, 13 March 2011 (EDT)