American History Homework Six Answers - Student 29

AmandaS

1. Was the main goal of the newly elected President Lincoln to end slavery, or save the Union?: In 1860 the South threatened to break away from the United States if Abraham Lincoln was elected as president. Many in the South did not like Lincoln, they were afraid that once he was elected he would abolish slavery everywhere, which the south heavily depended upon. November 10th of 1860 Lincoln was elected as president of the United States and the South was very displeased. South Carolina called for a convention to consider secession from the United States to declare itself an independent country. Soon after six other states followed in the direction of South Carolina by seceding as well. Lincoln was terrified and tried to convince the South that he had no interest in interfering with the institution of slavery where it still existed. In Lincoln's inaugural address he tried to convince the South that he was only interested in saving the union by saying that he did not want to be enemies, but instead friends. By reading all of the above i would say Lincoln really had more of an interest in saving the Union, and it was more the Republican Party in the North who wanted to end slavery for good.

Absolutely right!

2. Explain the purposes of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution: The 13th Amendment in the Constitution prohibits slavery, banning it everywhere, including the south. That amendment was quickly ratified and all slaves were set free. The 14th Amendment was not ratified as easily for it is a bit more complex. It protects the rights of citizens against interference by any state, and gives all race equal rights. It prohibited racial discrimination in almost all public places, and also established the right of former slaves to serve on juries. The 15th Amendment was passed in order to allow every race in the United States the right to vote without being discriminated.

Superb.

3. Who was your favorite military figure from the Civil War, and why?: My favorite figure from the Civil War would probably have to be Robert E. Lee. He was a career United States Army officer, an engineer, and among the most celebrated generals in American history. In 1861, Lee was offered by Lincoln to take charge of the entire union army. He declined the offer because he wanted to stay loyal to his home state, Virginia which was seceding from the United States at the time.

Good.

4. How would you have handled Reconstruction differently?: First i wouldn't have been so hard on the South. The southern states had already seceded once so no telling if they would have done so again, and also i think that it would have made a difference on how the two got along. I also would have tried harder to stop the KKK, because what they were doing was terrible and it needed to be stopped for good.

Superb. Will use as a model answer!

5. Abraham Lincoln was homeschooled. Do you see any characteristics in him that might have reflected his homeschooling, such as his independent thinking?: Abraham Lincoln was a very intelligent man, with many good ideas. One might expect him to have grown up in a school for highly intelligent individuals, who proceeded onto an ivy league school and then worked his way up to be President of the United States. Sure it sounds like it could be true, but the real matter is that Lincoln was just an ordinary boy who was born in a log cabin and was home-schooled his whole life. Being home-schooled often helps with ones independence, it helps with making your own decisions and not being afraid of standing alone. Of course just because he was home-schooled doesn't mean he was more intelligent then one who went to a public school, public schoolers can be extremely intelligent as well. Also homeschooling back then was very different, many people were home-schooled and that didn't mean they were all as intelligent as Lincoln.

Excellent analysis. I think homeschooling does help with independence, such as becoming self-employed.

6. Please interpret the cartoon about the dream to the right. Its title is "Abraham's dream!--'Coming events cast their shadows before.'" Lincoln is fleeing to left while wearing a Scotsman's plaid cap and a cape. He declares, "This don't remind me of any joke!!": The cartoon portrays Lincoln having a nightmare over the election in 1864. He is dreaming of being defeated by possibly McClellan. In his dream Columbia is standing at the door of the White House sending Lincoln away frightened. Lincoln, fleeing to the left, is saying, "This don't remind me of any joke!!" The cap and cloak allude to an incident in 1861 before Lincoln's first inauguration.

Superb analysis!

7. Please interpret the cartoon with Columbia below. The caption is, "The Chinese Question." Columbia says, "Hands off, gentlemen. America means fair play for all men.": This cartoon shows Columbia defending Chinese immigrants against the fierce prejudice and discrimination which they faced in late-nineteenth-century America. When the chinese started immigrating the Americans were not happy because the chinese would take jobs and work for a much lower price forcing Americans to quit. Columbia is telling them all to be nice because America plays fair with all men.

Terrific, but say who Columbia represents and what the cartoonist thinks. Capitalize the "c" in Chinese.

Perfect score! 70/70. Congratulations!