American History Homework Six Answers - Student Two

Christina F.

1. Was the main goal of the newly elected President Lincoln to end slavery, or save the Union?

President Lincoln mainly wanted to save the Union.

Correct!

2. Explain the purposes of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th gave all races equal rights, and the 15th gave all races the right to vote.

Correct again.

3. Who was your favorite military figure from the Civil War, and why?

McClellan was my favorite, simply for his laziness to use the army.

OK, funny reason, but I think I see your valid point.

4. How would you have handled Reconstruction differently?

I probably would not have done things much differently.

Explain more, as in "why not?" (Minus 1).

5. Abraham Lincoln was homeschooled. Do you see any characteristics in him that might have reflected his homeschooling, such as his independent thinking?

Lincoln had a mind of his own, not just repeating learned behavior taught to him. He was different than the norm.

Do you attribute that to his homeschooling? Doesn't sound like it, but I can't be sure you think it was inborn either. (Minus 1).

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!!"

This cartoon depicts Columbia chasing Lincoln from the White House. In essence, America wanting him out of office.

It's more than that, but you're not far off. (Minus 2).

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."

During the Civil War (March, 1863) the government of the union instituted a nation draft, the first one in American history, that warned working-class whites, the urban Irish particularly, that it would make them fight in the war to free slaves, who in turn would move to the north and take the whites' jobs and marry their daughters. In the Summer of 1863, anti-war riots broke out all over the North, the most serious one taking place in New York City. Mobs destroyed large sections of the cities, demolished draft offices, and lynched blacks, for four days. The Colored Orphan Asylum was the biggest tartet for the rioters. The artist of this cartoon was Thomas Nast, (Harper's Weekly cartoonist) and he associated the Colored Orphan Asylum's being burnt to the ground with the Democratic Party and the Irish Americans.

Interesting analysis, but it seems unrelated to the cartoon itself. See model answers when available. (Minus 2).

Score: 64/70.--Aschlafly 18:21, 23 October 2008 (EDT)