American History Homework Five Answers - Student Eleven

Christina F

1. Imagine that someone by the name of Joe Biden lived in 1858. Imagine also that he belonged to the "Know Nothing Party." The following would be true about Mr. Biden EXCEPT:

(b) He welcomed immigrants into the United States.

Correct.

2. Identify at least two key positions of the Whig Party.

They were anti-slavery. They did not want to annex Texas.

No, not entirely anti-slavery. Whigs merely tended to be more anti-slavery than Democrats. There are better examples to give, like favoring a national bank. (Minus 1).

3. What caused and what ended the Mexican War?

The Mexican War started when the Americans claimed that Mexicans shed American blood on American soil, thus 'striking first.' So technically, the Mexicans taking the offensive started it, although they were provoked by the Americans standing along the Rio Grande, which the Mexicans had claimed was THEIR territory.

Nicholas Trist signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on Feb 2, 1848, ending the Mexican War. The treaty gave Texas to the United States, and established the Mexico-Texas border as the Rio Grande, also adding California, Utah, and Nevada to the U.S., along with parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Excellent.

4. Who do you think was the most important person in the period 1840-1860, and why?

Harriet Beacher Stowe was the most important person between the years of 1840-60, because her book Uncle Tom's Cabin brought to life the hardship of the life of a slave, while most people had been ignorant of it until then.

Terrific answer!

5. Explain what "Bleeding Kansas" was.

"Bleeding Kansas" was the term used to describe the large amount of bloodshed that went on in Kansas when a civil war broke out between pro- and anti-slave groups.

Correct.

6. Explain the cartoon, and what you think the cartoonist's view was. The woman's quote begins, "You have been a bad boy, Steve, ever since you had anything to do with that Nebraska Bill ...."

The cartoon shows Columbia spanking Stephen Douglas, with Uncle Sam watching, obviously approving, showing that the artist was not happy Douglas, or the Nebraska Bill.

Good ... but why is the artist not happy WITH Douglas? (Minus 1).

7. Do you think it was possible to avoid the Civil War? Explain.

No. Even if it had been avoided at that particular time in history, eventually the North and South would have fought. They had many disagreements, such as slavery and tariffs.

Superb.

[edit] Honors Questions

These questions require answers that are a bit longer than the answers above. Answer three out of the following questions (in addition to the questions above):

H1. Discuss any of the debate issues or mysteries relating to 1840-1860.

Do you think the South could have won the Civil War, or at least fought off the North enough to secede?

It might have been possible for the South to fight enough to secede, but not quite to win entirely. For a nation growing as large as the U.S., it is improbable that even at that time, such a big chunk of it would be lost.

OK.

H2. Explain the Compromise of 1850.

The Compromise of 1850 enacted the following things as separate laws.

   * admitted California as a free state
   * the South had the right to bring slaves into the Southwest territories
   * slave trade was abolished in D.C., but slavery was not
   * enacted tougher federal fugitive slave laws and strictly enforced them (Clay pushed this through the Senate)
   * Texas received $10M to pay off its debt in return for accepting a narrower western boundary and give up claims to New Mexico and territory that became other states 

Good.

H4. Do you think John Brown helped his cause?

No. He made the anti-slavery activists look like violent people.

Well stated!

Good work. Score: 98/100.--Aschlafly 20:13, 17 October 2008 (EDT)