American History Homework Five Answers - Student Twenty

DanielleR.- Done

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 opposed to everything Jackson was for. A. they did not support the annexation of Texas- which Jackson did and B. they were against slavery- and Jackson supported it mostly due to him being from the South

Not completely against slavery. Rest of your answer is excellent.

3\. What caused and what ended the Mexican War? Polk sending troops to the border to provoke the Mexicans because he believed in Manifest Destiny was probably the single-most reason for the cause of the Mexican War. The end of it was the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

Good.

4\. Who do you think was the most important person in the period 1840-1860, and why? I believe that James Polk was probably the most important person at that time. His entire presidency tried to end conflicts and promote peace. Although he egged on the Mexican War, he meant it for land for his country and ended it with a treaty.

Excellent.

5\. Explain what "Bleeding Kansas" was. ‘Popular Sovereignty’ was the idea that every new territory should decide for themselves whether they’d be free or slave. Although it was meant for peace, it led to more disputes and bloodshed. It also led to a civil war within Kansas because citizens who were for slavery hated those who were against it and vice versa. ‘Bleeding Kansas’ refers to all the blood that was shed during this time.

Superb. Will use as a model answer!

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 lady (America) spanking ‘Steve’ (probably Stephen Douglas) was reprimanding him for supporting the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The cartoonist was anti-slavery and probably either a Northerner or a Republican (or both).

Good analysis, though I'm not convinced the cartoonist was entirely anti-slavery. The cartoonist simply did not like Stephen Douglas's approach.

7\. Do you think it was possible to avoid the Civil War? Explain. No. There was no way to compromise. To say that there is middle ground between slavery and freedom is like saying there is a compromise to be found between pro-life and pro-choice- there is just no way (sorry Obama). A war had to occur in order to declare a national law- they couldn’t get around it by giving another bloody compromise.

Superb!

Perfect homework! Score: 70/70.--Aschlafly 19:30, 18 October 2008 (EDT)