American History Homework Five Answers - Student Twelve

JennaN

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.

The Whig Party was against slavery and the ambition to annex Texas as part of the United States.

Good point about Texas, but it's overstated to say that the Whig Party "was against slavery" as one of its key positions. (Minus 1).

3\. What caused and what ended the Mexican War?

One of the things that caused the Mexican War was when Mexico began to ‘steal’ American citizens by giving them land if they became Mexican citizens. This specifically infuriated President James Polk who quickly pulled some strings in order to declare war on Mexico. The war only lasted for about two years and on February 2, 1848 Nicholas Trist signed The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This ended the Mexican War although James Polk was not thrilled with requirements of the Treaty.

Well done!

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

James K. Polk was one of the most influential people from 1840 to 1860. He not only initiated the Mexican War but he also ended it. He annexed Texas into the United States and admitted Iowa as a free state. He also settled a disagreement with Britain by establishing the northwest boundary in the Oregon Treaty. On top of achieving the greatest territorial expansion of the United States, he reduced tariffs and reestablished an independent Treasury. Unlike most politicians, Polk said what we was going to do, and then did it. He also saw every person who visited the White House while he was president. Polk was truly a remarkable man.

Superb. Will include as model answer!

5\. Explain what "Bleeding Kansas" was.

This was when Civil War broke out in Kansas over the inflamed issue of slavery. The name ‘Bleeding Kansas’ came about because of the ugly acts of violence that both sides of the issue were committing.

Excellent.

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 ...."

This political cartoon was drawn in the 1860s and the cartoonist was expressing his dislike for Stephan Douglas’s view on slavery. Steve represents Stephan Douglas and both Colombia and Uncle Sam represent America. This cartoon is exposing how Douglas lost most of his credibility by pushing for the Nebraska Bill. People from both the North and the South were mutually disgusted by the way that he acted in this situation. He received his ‘spanking’ when Lincoln completely defeated him in the presidential election of 1860.

Interesting last sentence! Excellent analysis indeed.

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

No. It was certainly not avoidable. People who have radically different political and moral beliefs cannot live in harmony as one Nation. The North believed that slavery was ethically wrong; one man should not own another. While the South strongly relied on slavery for their entire economy to exist. If the United States wanted to stay united, war was inevitable.

Well stated.

Excellent work. Score: 69/70.--Aschlafly 21:07, 17 October 2008 (EDT)