Don't Know Much About History

1) Why does the author suggest that John Brown had a sense of humor? When President Buchanan put a price of $25o on his head, Brown responded with a bounty of two dollars and fifty cents on Buchanan's.
2) What was John Brown's plan? His plan was to march south, arm the salves who would flock to his crusade, and establish a black republic in the Appalachians to wage war against the slaveholding south.
3) Why did John Brown become a symbol? He became a symbol for the abolitionist movement because he was caught and put on trial for the cause. Many came to the conclusion that he was a martyr in a just cause.
4) When and why did South Carolina secede from the union? On December 20, 1860, when it became clear that Lincoln would be the next president, South Carolina became the first state to declare its secession from the Union.
5) List some of the advantages of the North at the beginning of the war. List some of the advantages of the South at the beginning of the war. The North had a manpower advantage, as they had more than double the population of the south. They also had more than double the amount of states than the Confederacy. They were also better off in their economy and vastly outproduced the South in agriculture and livestock. The South, however, produced much more cotton than the north. The south were also better riders, knew weaponry better, and had their own rifles more often than the northerners. They also had a better spirit about them.
6) List some of the (5) famous battles of the Civil War with a brief description of each.

• The bombarding of Fort Sumter on April 12th by South Carolina militia forces was the official beginning of the war. The fort's commander surrendered because his army lacked sufficient supplies.
• The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) was important because it was a Confederate victory and highlighted the poor Union leadership. It was a crushing defeat, and led the Northern Congress to pay for the war by passing the first income-tax law. Enlistment periods were also increased from three months to two years.
• In the Seven Days' Battle from June 26th to July 2nd in 1862, Lee drove McClellan from Richmond. This ends the Peninsular Campaign, which could have captured Richmong and ended the war.
• The Battle of Antietam killed more than 10,000 men from each side. It is a critical turning point in the war. With Lee's defensive stalled, the likelihood of European recognition of the south is reduced, which is likely the only hope they had for winning the war.
  
• The Battle of Gettysburg in the beginning of July of 1863. Confederate troops in search of shoes met up with a detachment of Union cavalry and reinforcements are brought in on both sides. There are three days of fighting which are the final turning point in the war. The Union army took a strong defensive postion and turned back numerous Confederate assaults. Lee is unable to press his drive against the North, and Lincoln wants the remnants of the Confederate army destroyed. Meade, however, fails to press Lee and Lee is able to escape back to Virginia.
  

7) How do you view Lincoln's suspension of "the writ of habeas corpus"? I disagree with it completely. He did it while Congress was out of session, and so he could detain thousands of people without due process or even firm charges. This is no different than the modern day Guantanamo. It is completely unconstitutional and not even for a good reason.
8) What if Lee's plan had not been found at the battle of Antiem? If McClellan hadn't been given lee's battle plans at the battle of Antietam, the Confederacy probably would have won that battle. Since it was such a key turning point in the war, the Confederacy might have even won the Civil War had they won at Antietam.
9) What was the reconstruction? After the war the South was in horrible shape physically, economically and even spiritually. The idea of reconstruction was to rebuild the South while also bringing them back into the Union. The numerous plans to achieve this all involved the people of the South either swearing an oath to the Union or giving up some of their beliefs, or adopting some beliefs of the North. Finally Congress passed a series of 'Reconstruction Acts'. They divided the South into military regions under the control of generals, and statehood could only be reached by adopting a state constitution allowing blacks to vote and accepting the Fourteenth Amendment.
10) Why did the Ku Klux Klan form? Antagonized whites of the South were looking for new means of acquiring power. They began secret paramilitary societies dedicated to maintaining white supremacy. The most notorious, powerful, and long-lived was the Ku Klux Klan (still alive and well today). They used various tactics to gain enormous power in the South. They used political terrorism to frighten and suppress not only blacks, but liberal white republicans as well.
11) Discuss Andrew Johnson's impeachment. Johnson was the first president to be impeached. Artcle II, Section 4 of the Constitution says that the president shall be impeached if convicted of teason, bribery, or other high crimes. Johnson tried to dismiss War Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, which went against the Tenure of Officer Act. He was then promptly impeached.

Don't Know Much About History

• What were the differences between the North and South as far as the division of the country? The north was undergoing urban and industrial revolutions. Commercial enterprises such as railroads, canals, banks, and others were shaping the northern economy and its population was mushrooming due to an influx of European immigrants. The south’s economy was still based on agriculture and slaves, mostly cotton. The slave population continued to grow, while the white population did much more slowly.
• Why was there a war with Mexico and how did it start and end? It began with the US moving in on disputed territory, building a fort, and provoking a reaction from Mexico. Once Mexico attacked, the US felt they were justified in declaring war. It ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Basically, the whole war was because we wanted land that belonged to Mexico in order to fulfill the idea of Manifest Destiny.
• What did American gain from the war with Mexico? We gained California and other southwestern territories, which were important because of the gold rush. However, the future of slavery in the union was also questioned, as what to do with this new land. Our soldiers were also provided with practical battle experience that they would use in the civil war.
• Who was Henry David Thoreau and what did he do? He was a transcendentalist who wrote works discounting slavery.
• Who was Frederick Douglass? He was an escaped slave who became a well-known abolitionist. He wrote for his own newspaper about slavery.
• Where did the Underground Railroad run? What is it? It was a network of safe houses and secret routes for slaves to use to escape to freedom. It ran from southern slave states into northern free states and even up into Canada.
• Who was Harriet Tubman? She escaped from slavery and risked her life over 13 times to save other slaves. She was one of the leading abolitionists behind the Underground Railroad.
• What were the 5 bills in the Compromise of 1850? California was entered as a free state, New Mexico and Utah could decide the issue of slavery for themselves, Texas gave up New Mexico and got %10 million to pay Mexico, slave trade was abolished in DC, and federal officials who didn’t arrest runaway slaves had to pay a fine.
• What was the dispute over Uncle Tom’s Cabin and how was it resolved? It showed the true identity of slavery (written by a white woman). It showed that slaves were people and how they were treated in reality. The south didn’t like it and the north did.
• What did Lincoln and Douglas debate? They debated about slavery. This was important because, even though Lincoln didn’t win the election, he would win the debates. This got him national attention.
• Why was a new political party formed? The Republican Party was formed because they wanted the west to be free of slavery because they wanted more opportunities for free white men, especially lower class men. They were Whigs and Northern Democrats.
• Why was Kansas ‘bloody’? It was the battle that sparked the Civil War, but it wasn’t the official start of the war. The south and the north were both trying to take over Kansas, and nobody wanted to lose the balance of power.
• Popular sovereignty: The idea that the people create the legitimacy of a state.
• What happened in Kansas in 1854? There was a battle between the north and the south. John Brown, an abolitionist, attacked a pro-slavery settlement and killed 5 people in the dead of night. It sparked the Civil War.
• How did the Dred Scott case further separate the nation? He sued for his freedom because he was a slave in a place where slavery was illegal. Roger Taney, who agreed that slaves were property and could not be taken away from their owners, shot this down in the Supreme Court. It allowed free blacks in the north to be recaptured. It represented the idea that slavery would not be abolished by a Supreme Court ruling.
• Who ran for president in 1860? Lincoln, Douglas, Breckinridge, and bell ran for president in 1860. This showed the disarray of political parties, who could not even decide who to nominate.
• What did the idea of civil disobedience do? It brought up the idea of peaceful rebellion.
• What was the nation’s most constant political issue? Slavery.
• What were Lincoln’s idea on slavery? He disagreed with it but wasn’t going to change the state’s positions on it. He didn’t want black people to have any rights either. He didn't want to change what was already in place, and shake up the political world.
• What were Polk’s two promises in regards to Manifest Destiny? He promised to establish the Oregon Territory, and he promised to bring California and the southwest territories into the union.
• What was the importance of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? It ends the Mexican-American war. It gives certain lands (southwest territories) to the US (moved Texas boundary to Rio Grande) and money to Mexico.
• What did the Kansas-Nebraska Act call for? It created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 because it was above the line of slave states, and allowed settlers in those territories to determine if they would allow slavery as opposed to the country deciding it for them.
• How was the legislative history of slave compromises wiped out? The Dred Scott case wiped these out because it showed the Supreme Court would never be on the side of slaves.
• How did Lincoln’s loss in the first election (1858) actually help him? It made him nationally known because he won the debates with Douglas.

Chapter 12

1) What was Manifest Destiny? Manifest Destiny is the idea that the US was meant to extend its borders from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. We should spread freedom by occupying the entire continent.
2) The Oregon Territory consisted of what area? Who claimed it? Oregon, Washington, Idaho, parts of Montana and Wyoming, half of British Columbia. Four nations owned it: US, Great Britain, Spain, and Russia.
3) Who were the Mountain Men? American adventurers who spent most of their time in the Rocky Mountains and helped with the fur trade. Some worked for specific companies while others sold their furs to the highest bidder. Some of them married Native women and adopted Native ways, creating a mixed race.
4) Why was the Oregon Trail important? It was the only way to achieve Manifest Destiny. It was the trail to the American Dream. It allowed us to fulfill our 'duty from God' to go west, populate the country, and spread freedom.
5) Discuss the meaning behind the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight"? It refers to the line of latitude that Democrats believed should be the nation's northern border in Oregon, which was a campaign slogan used during the 1844 election. The border was eventually settled at latitude 49.
6) James Polk made what promises to the American public during the election of 1844 (list four - you might need to look up on the internet). He made four promises during his campaign: to acquire California from Mexico, to settle the Oregon dispute, to lower the tariff and create a sub-treasury, and to not run for a second term.
7) Discuss how Texas became independent. In 1819 the US gave up claims to Texas with the Adams-Onis Treaty. Very few people lived in Texas. In 1830 the Mexican government stopped all immigration to Texas from the United States, and US Texans were very angry. Santa Anna, Mexican President, declared himself a dictator. The US Texans banded together with volunteers and they fought. And they liberated San Antonio. During the Alamo, American settlers and the Tejanos declared independence and started to write a Declaration and Constitution.
8) Discuss the battles of The Alamo and San Jacinto. Santa Anna marched forth to take back San Antonio, and found the Texans barricaded inside The Alamo Mission. It was poor leadership and a few men against Santa Anna's army of several thousand. The Alamo defenders help Santa Anna's army away against 2 attacks. Later, Mexicans launched an all-out attack while the Texans defended nobly, but the Mexicans were just too numerous to be defeated. San Jacinto was between Houston and Santa Anna. Houston had about 900 in his army, while Santa Anna had about 1300. Houston's army killed about half of Santa Anna's army, and captured the rest including Santa Anna. A few days later, Santa Anna recognized the independence of Texas.
9) How long did it take the U.S. to annex Texas? Why? It took the US nine years to annex Texas. Andrew Jackson, president at the time, refused to annex Texas. He did this because the addition of another slave state would upset the balance of free and slave states in Congress. Van Buren after him also didn't want to annex Texas. John Tyler, president after Harrison, finally supported Texas, but it didn't work. Only James K. Polk was finally able to get Texas annexed.
10) How did the Mexican-American War start? Why did it start? Was it a "Just War"? Mexico had control of New Mexico as a condition of it's independence. American traders were welcomed into New Mexico. Americans began settling in New Mexico as it was a hot trade area, but they wanted it for themselves, and California as well. California and New Mexico, meanwhile, began being more and more populated by Mexican peoples. President Polk twice offered to buy California and New Mexico, but Mexico refused, prompting the US to take the territories by force. To begin the war, the US built a fort in disputed border land between Mexico and Texas. This forced Mexico to attack first, making Congress believe that war would be a just retaliation. We think it was technically a just war, because the Mexicans did attack first. However, we believe the spirit of the war was unjust, because we basically forced them to attack first so we would have a reason to declare war.
11) What was the American response to the war? Americans were divided over the war. Democrats generally supported it, while Whigs generally opposed it. Whigs believed that the war was aggressive and unjust, disgraceful and cruel, and demanded to know exact reasons and the beginning of the war. Anti-war feeling grew over time, particularly in the north. This was because they believed that the South would spread slavery into any new states.
12) List the major battles of the war. The battle at Santa Fe was major, because it was the capital of Mexico. Even though there wasn't technically a battle, it still counts. The other major battles were the Bear Flag Revolt, battle of Monterey, battle of San Gabriel, battle of San Pasqual (the only Mexican victory), battle of El Brazito, battle of Sacramento, battle of Monterrey, battle of Buena Vista, battle of Cerro Gordo, and the battle of Mexico City.
13) What was the cost of the war? The war cost America 1,721 men to battle, more than 11,00 men to disease, and almost $100 million. We then paid Mexico an additional $25 million during treaty discussions.
14) Why was the California Gold Rush important? Californian cities, and cities on the way, benefitted from the economic boom. California's population grew greatly, and developed an amazing economy due to boom towns. The gold rush also more than doubled the world's supply of gold, a very valuable commodity at the time. The effect on California's economy lasted a long time after the gold rush ended. The population grew, requiring better government. It urged California to apply for statehood, which it gained about a year later.
15) Answer the following questions on page 380 - #6 - #10, #13-#15.

• 6. They agreed about the northern latitude of Oregon, for ownership purposes. It ended up being on latitude 49.
  
• 7. He was afraid to disrupt the balance of slave and free states.
  
• 8. It gave them a direct line to the Pacific Ocean. There were still British people settled in the territories above California.
  
• 9. The US wanted New Mexico and California, and Mexico refused to sell. The other reason was that the US set up Mexico to attack them (by building a fort) so they could justify a war.
  
• 10. People found gold and they would use it. They also had a monopoly on the sales because they were the only merchants there.
  
• 13. It expanded the US west, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
  
• 14. They probably thought the US was just greedy and wanted all the land they could get because they were selfish. They wanted to keep their own land in North America.
  
• 15. The ones between the US and Britain had a favorable outcome for everyone because they came to an agreement. Whereas the ones with the US and Mexico led to war because they couldn't agree.
  

Final Study Guide

PART I: 1492-1754

1) What was Columbus looking for? He was looking for a different route to India.
2) Why was a passage to India important for European countries to find? It was important so that they could trade there without having to go through the Middle East.
3) How did the crusades change European and how did it lead to the exploration of the "New World"? It awakened the Europeans to the idea of trade outside of Europe. It showed them the things they were missing such as exotic silks and spices and whatnot. It lead to the exploration of the New World because they were looking for another trade route to Asia.
4) How did tobacco change the course of America (particularly the Virginia colony)? Tobacco gave America a true economy. Virginia was failing because they had no way to survive aside from what they could get from the land. They were making no money and thus could not trade or buy things. Tobacco gave them a much-needed crop so they could actually begin an economy.
5) Discuss the rise of self-government in America (make sure you note the House of Burgesses, the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut).
6) How did religion play an essential role in the shaping of the early colonies? The colonies were formed basically because of religion. They were running away from Britain to be able to practice religion as they pleased, but then they wouldn’t let pilgrims of another religion into their colony. So those spurned pilgrims would go form a colony of their own for their religion. Almost all of the colonies were formed because of religious reasons.
7) Discuss why early colonists came to America (the various reasons - begin to relate these to the American Dream and the American Character). They came with idea of religious freedom, the idea of owning land, the idea of capitalism, and they wanted economic freedom (all part of today’s American Dream).
8) What was the Great Migration? The Puritan migration to New England and they were looking for religious freedom because of persecution in their home country.
9) What was the renaissance and how does it fit with the exploration of the Americas? The renaissance was a revival of interest in art, humanities, and science, stimulated through the connection with the Middle East after the crusades, stimulated by trade. People had more time to dedicate themselves to art and education because they made money with trading.
10) Where the 1st Europeans to the Americas "Explorers" or "Invaders"? Please justify your answer. Invaders, because explorers implies they are the first to be there, and they were not.
11) How did the English distance the relationship between indentured whites and black slaves? Why did they fear a relationship between the two? The English feared the slaves would get together and rebel. They wouldn’t let the two types of slaves interact with each other. They also alienated black slaves by never letting them go, when the indentured whites eventually got to go free.
13) Know the following people:
John Rolfe: Married Pocahontas, was able to bring the first tobacco plant to Virginia, effectively saving the colony from ruin
John Smith: Was in the military, helped set up Virginia and was one of its first leaders because he was a captain
John Winthrop: Founder of Massachusetts
Anne Hutchinson: kicked out of Massachusetts for questioning the religion there and the people in charge. She went to Rhode Island after being banished.
Roger Williams: founded Rhode Island. He believed in true freedom of religion, that the government should have no say in how people worshipped. He also didn’t believe in taking land away from the Native Americans.
William Bradford: One of the men behind the Mayflower Compact.
John Wheelright: founded New Hampshire.
Jacques Marquette: French explorer who charted the Mississippi River.
Samuel de Champlain: founded Montreal.
Francis Drake: English explorer/pirate. Stole from Spanish ships. First Englishman to sail around the world.
John Cabot: explored Newfoundland.
Henry Hudson: explored Hudson By and Hudson River.
Ferdinand Magellan: Spanish explorer and the first person to sail around the world.
Francisco Pizarro: Spanish explorer who conquers the Incas.
Hernan Cortes: Spanish explorer who conquers the Aztecs.
Squanto and Samoset: Natives who helped the pilgrims out since their population had been pretty much decimated.
14) What is the difference between the Separatists and Puritians? Puritans wanted to reform the Anglican religion while Separatists wanted to break off and form their own religion entirely.
15) Discuss King Phillips War and how it changed America? It changed America because it wiped out all of the Natives in Massachusetts so whites could settle there. It also set the stage for decades of Native slaughter and cruelty.
16) When did the 1st Africans come to the English colonies? Where? What was the purpose of importing them (be specific)? The first Africans were imported to Virginia in 1619. They were brought over to work the tobacco farms.
17) According to Zinn why were Africans easier to force into labor than Native Americans or poor white immigrants? They were completely disconnected from their culture. They couldn’t communicate with anybody they knew or in a language they knew, since African dialects are so diverse. They were emotionally and physically broken down.
19) How did religious freedom, slavery, and self-government shape the first 13 colonies? Religious freedom: the Northern States were founded on the basis of freedom of religion. People from Europe were escaping religious persecution and went to the North. Slavery: slavery was popular in the southern states because slaves were used and needed for labor. They had a strong economy and needed easy and cheap labor for their agricultural endeavors. Self-government: and idea that began in Virginia. It became important for the colonists to self-govern.
20) How did the Massacre at Mystic change America? It made is acceptable to slaughter whole villages of Natives as a way to remove them from the land.
22) What was Nat Bacon's rebellion really about? The settlers in Virginia wanted to continue to move west, but the British government didn’t allow them to move into Native territories.
23) Why did Philadelphia become an important city? It became a sort of unofficial capital of the US because it had a large population, big people in the government such as Benjamin Franklin, had theatres and libraries and newspapers, a place that was open for people to worship how they wanted, and the 1st and 2nd continental congress met in Philadelphia.

PART II: FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

1) What are the reasons the war starts and spreads to become a world war? There is basically this huge struggle for territory in the US, especially control over the Ohio valley. Colonists wanted to move west, British wanted to get the French out of America, French wanted to get the British out of “their” territory, Native unbalanced power in the region, didn’t want the English there.
2) What are the reasons the French lost? their government stopped providing them with supplies, and the French have trouble keeping their Native allies because they upset them.
3) How does the British turn the tide of the War? They win at Ticonderoga and convince the Natives to not support the French.
4) What are the results of the war? The French were removed completely from North America and lose any power they had there. The British were now in debt. The Natives won the royal prize of the colonists invading their homes and land and taking away their culture.
5) How did the war begin? George Washington was sent with a group of Natives to move the French out of Pittsburgh. The Natives attacked and killed the French leader at a camp where the French weren’t even plotting war. This made the French want revenge, which eventually started the war.
6) What was George Washington's role in the war and how did it prepare him for the Revolution? He aided General Braddock in this war. It taught him how to run and discipline an army.
7) Why were the following people important:
Edward Braddock: English leader. First British general in America. Underestimates the French method of war.
Half-King: He kills the French leader, which starts the whole war. He does this for his own reasons, and basically uses the British as pawns in his own plan.
Marquis de Montcalm: French leader who won almost all of his battles until Montreal, which was an important battle.
James Wolfe: Leader in the Battle of Quebec.
General Forbes: built the road from Pennsylvania to Fort Pitt. Allied with Natives.
William Pitt: British minister who promises the colonists all that they want.
8) Discuss the Native Indians role and importance in the war. What battles did they fight in? How did they change the power structure? What agenda did they have? They fought mostly with the French. They fought in the battles at Fort William Henry, Fort Duquesne, and Fort Oswego. They won most of the earlier battles. They only fought because they had to pick a side and chose the one that they thought would treat them the most fairly.
9) The French and Indian war begin over what area of land? It began over the Ohio River Valley.
10) Why did the Native Americans take captives? Was this an effective practice? They used hostages to threaten colonists, to replace fallen warriors, to exchange for captured warriors or goods, and to warn settlers in their area to back off. This was not effective.


PART III: The Revolution

1) According to Paul Johnson what was the most deciding factor in the colonists victory over the British. The Americans had better leadership.
2) How did the colonists win the media war, the ideological battle and the emotional battle? Media war: had control over all the media such as newspapers and propaganda. They turned everything into propaganda. Ideological battle: better leaders, reasons for actual war and national support, Thomas Jefferson is able to turn their philosophy into political ideas. Emotional battle: idea of a common good, also propaganda (such as Common Sense, the Crisis written by Thomas Paine)
3) What important things did Patrick Henry do? One of the great speakers of the Revolution. He convinced Virginia to vote for independence.
4) How was Thomas Jefferson a “mass of contradictions”. He did one thing and was convinced of the opposite: He owned slaves but was against slavery; voted against importation from British goods but bought a lot from Britain, etc.
5) What was Thomas Jefferson’s most important quality (according to Johnson). He had the ability to look at a philosophical idea and transform it so that the common man could understand it.
6) What did Common Sense do? Who wrote it. It was propaganda, but since it was read all over the country it brought the masses together against a common enemy. It was written by Thomas Paine.
7) What was the 1st constitution? What powers did it give the government? The Articles of Confederation granted the government powers in times of war, every power in times of war. It said that they couldn’t really mess with the states.
8) What was the paradox of the war (at least from Britain's point of view)? They wouldn’t gain anything if they won, it would actually be more expensive and more trouble to keep the colonies in line. If they lost all they would lose is pride.
9) What was Washington's main strength as a commander? Why did he win the war? He knew how to discipline his troops very well. He kept them in line. He won because of this and because of his strategy, which was to keep running from the British until they got tired and quit.
10) What were the four points of the Peace of Paris - as laid out by John Adams? America got to be completely independent, Britain could keep Newfoundland but America got fishing rights, definite and permanent boundaries between Canada and the US, and boundaries between the 13 colonies.
11) Why did slavery increase during the revolution? There needed to be slaves to take care of the home and the farm while the men were out fighting. The dying soldiers needed to be replaced also, so they brought in slaves to fight. There was also a larger demand for goods, so they needed more labor.
12) Who were the big losers of the war (name three)? List what they lost and explain why they are the biggest losers. France, Britain, Native Americans.
13) What happened to the Loyalists in America after the war. They were basically told to sit down and shut up about what they thought. Either that, or they could go to Britain. They could also go west and get out.
14) What were the most important battles of the war. Why do you think they are the most important? (Note battles is plural). Trenton, because it is the first victory for the Americans and gives them a much needed morale boost. Yorktown, because it was the last major battle in the war, and won it for the Colonies. Princeton, because it was another Washington victory. It was a surprise attack on New Year’s Day, which is probably the only reason they won. Saratoga, because the British surrendered one of their three armies. It showed the French that the Americans could win.
15) List at least five reasons why the Americans won. Better leadership, a good strategy, support of the people, a reason to fight, home court advantage, alliance with France, more readily available supplies, defending is easier than attacking.
16) List the importance of the following people in the cause of the Revolution.
A) Thomas Paine: Propagandist. He wrote The Crisis and Common Sense.
B) Thomas Jefferson: Wrote the Declaration of Independence, helped win the ideological war. He was not a speaker.
C) John Adams: Nominated Thomas Jefferson for writing and nominated George Washington to be the general. He also argued for independence. He was one of the most important people on the floor.
D) Samuel Adams: Formed the Sons of Liberty. He was the important agitator and propagandist towards the movement of war.
E) John Hancock: First signer of the Declaration. He was the money behind the beginnings of the revolution in America.
F) George Washington: DUH.
G) James Otis: He influenced the forefathers, especially Sam Adams. He came up with “no taxation without representation”. He was a Boston lawyer, but also very insane and in and out of institutions.
H) Benjamin Franklin: Represents the American dream, especially overseas. He convinces the French to join the Revolution for America. People listen to him because he’s internationally known.
I) Benedict Arnold (think beyond his treason): He defeats the British in Saratoga. He also took Ticonderoga, and almost won Quebec. He doesn’t get the credit he thinks he deserves and that’s why he betrays America.
J) Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty or give me death!” We probably wouldn’t have a Bill of Rights without him.
K) Alexander Hamilton: He sets up the Bank of America. He becomes Washington’s aid.
17) Who was Molly Pitcher? She fought for her husband when he got injured, and ran his cannon for him. He skirts got blown off.
18) Why did the British strategy for the war make little sense? They didn’t totally crush us even though they could have, they took their time in the beginning of the war. They also thought if they took over cities it would end the war, but the Americans just kept running away.
19) How did the British fail to win the war in 1776? Who was the General in charge? General Howe decided to winter in New York instead of chasing the Americans and crushing them when they could.
20) "America was already developing the notion that all were entitled to the best if they worked hard enough, that aiming high was not only morally acceptable but admirable." Discuss the importance of this statement. It’s the American Dream. It is still what drives people to immigrate to America.
21) Who were the two most important people involved with the push towards a new constitution? Madison and Hamilton.
22) Give examples of how the Articles of Confederation failed. They failed to establish a strong central government and gave all of the individual power to the states. For example, during Shays Rebellion. The states would function as 13 separate countries. The central government couldn’t tax, so they didn’t have any $.
23) In your option why would some people prefer State rights over a strong Central government. What are the arguments for both sides? They wouldn’t want the government to become too powerful and turn into a dictatorship, taking power from the people. The central government does, however, offer stability.
24) What is a nomiocracy? How do you feel about this term connected with the U.S. government? It is a government run by lawyers. Most of the men in the government at the beginning they were lawyers.
25) What were the three compromises on the Constitution? Which one of these seems the strangest to you? Slavery (3/5 rule), means of electing a president, and the difference between the Senate and the House.
26) What is the irony about the President vs. a King as example by Johnson? Presidents had the most power out of any leader in the world at that time.
27) Know the importance of Valley Forge. What happened there? What the troops had to overcome? Compare this with the British winter quarters. It was the winter quarters for the American troops. They have a super rough winter and overcome hardships, making them closer. It forms the basis of the army that will win the war. The British winter quarters were much more comfortable.
28) What help did France, Spain, and the Netherlands offer the colonies? France offers money and troops, the Netherlands offers money mostly in the form of loans, and Spain offers money.
29) What is important about Judith Sargeant Murray and Abigail Adams? They were the first fighters for women’s rights.
30) Discuss the war in the west. The Revolution became an excuse to take land from the Natives.
31) Discuss the war in the south. It got started late. The British changed tactics after Saratoga and tried to win the south because of problems with the north.
32) What is the importance of the following people:
George Rogers Clark: He was the American Commander in the west.
John Paul Jones: an American Navy commander.
Nathanael Greene: the General of the south, second in command to George W.
Comte de Rochambeau: French General at the battle of Yorktown, forced British to surrender with George Washington.
Admiral Francois de Grasse: French admiral who does not let the British navy come to Yorktown to help defend it.
33) What is important about Washington's farewell address? He warned the people not to get involved in foreign affairs. He also steps down from power.
34) Why did the natives give support to the British? The British were seen as less of a threat than the Americans. The British already had established treaties, and without the British there the colonists would definitely have expanded. It was the lesser of two evils.
35) Why did the British think their military forces were superior to those of the Americans? They were more experienced, thought their fighting style was better, they were better and professionally trained.
36) Why was fighting on their own land an advantage for the Americans? They knew the country and knew where were good places to defend, attack, and fight from. They had readily available supplies and support from the people.

PART IV: The Constitution, Jefferson, War of 1812, Jackson

1) Discuss the significance of Thomas Jefferson's quote: "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing...God forbid that we should ever be twenty year without such a rebellion...The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." As long as the government are scared that there could be a rebellion, they will give the people power.
2) Why did Shay's Rebellion happen? The government was throwing farmers in prison if they couldn’t pay their outrageous land taxes. The soldiers that fought in the Revolution also weren’t getting the money they were promised.
3) The constitution is "a political creation, hammered together in a series of artfully negotiated compromises”. Discuss these compromises. 3/5 rule, manner of electing a president, representation in the senate.
4) What was the Virginia Plan? It was to have a 2 chamber legislature, and basically set up the structure of our current government.
5) "No person held in service" was a euphemism for what? Slavery.
7) Who wrote the Federalist Papers and why did they write them? Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. They were trying to influence the ratification of the Constitution.
9) Who could vote in the first election (what parts of the population)? Adult white males who owned land.
10) How did Washington D.C. come be located on the banks of the Potomac? It was decided between Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton because Hamilton wanted support for his bank and the other two wanted the capitol close to Virginia.
11) What did Jay's Treaty do? Keeps the Americans out of war with the British.
12) What was the "Whiskey Rebellion" and how was it put down? It was a rebellion against really high whiskey tax. George Washington led an army of 14,000 troops against the rebels.
13) Describe the election of 1800? How was it finally resolved? Burr and Jefferson were running on the same side, then they got the same amount of votes. It went to the House of Representatives, where it was voted on like 36 times with the same results. Then Alexander Hamilton finally convinced a Federalist to vote for Jefferson.
14) Who was John Marshall? He was appointed to the supreme court by John Adams and made it what it is today.
15) Why did France sell its North America possessions (the Louisiana territory) to the U.S.? They were already fighting a war in Europe and did not have the resources to defend Louisiana as well, especially since they just lost Haiti.
16) What did Lewis and Clark do? Describe their journey? They explored west of the Mississippi to map the new territory and review the resources.
17) How did Hamilton incur the wrath of Aaron Burr? Was he right in what he did? How did the ordeal end? He destroys Burr’s character. Burr slaps Hamilton with a glove, they have a dual, and Burr kills Hamilton because Hamilton does not believe in fighting.
18) What was Jefferson's Embargo Act? Why was it unpopular and what was it suppose to do? It prevented almost all foreign trade. It was unpopular because that was a livelihood for people, especially in the north. It was meant to stop the impressments of US soldiers.
19) What did Tecumseh try and do? He tried to unite all the Natives to fight against the colonists.
20) Describe the Battle of Tippecanoe? It was The Prophet against General Harrison, in the white’s attempt for a preemptive strike.
21) Most historians call the War of 1812 a draw. Why? Nobody got what they wanted and everything went back to the way it was before the war.
22) Describe the Battle of New Orleans. Happened after the war of 1812 was technically over. It was definitely a one-sided victory for the Americans.
23) What did the Monroe Doctrine state? It’s a warning that no European power has a right to interfere with the Western Hemisphere.
24) What was the Missouri Compromise? All of the states north of a certain latitude would be slave free, except Missouri. All those below could own slaves.
25) How was the election of 1824 decided? Why was it called a "corrupt bargain"? It was decided in the House of Representatives. It was between Jackson and Adams, but nobody gets the majority of the electoral votes. Henry Clay, who was previously a candidate, is a speaker of the House and gets Quincy Adams elected.
26) List some of the labels attached to Andrew Jackson. Slave owner, adulterer, Indian Hater, Indian Killer, murderer.
27) Was Andrew Jackson an Indian hater? What did the natives call him? What "Indian Wars" did he fight in and what was the outcome? What was his native "policy" as President? He was not an Indian hater, but they called him long knife. He fought in the Creek War, the first Seminole War. He does not lose. He gave them options: shut up and join our culture, move west, or stay and be killed.
28) How did Jackson come to symbolize the common people? He was born poor and worked his way up from nothing. He was a symbol of the American Dream.
29) Name the 1st seven Presidents of the United States: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Quincy Adams, Jackson.

War of 1812

1) Importance of Fort McHenry. It’s where Francis Scott Key writes the national anthem. It’s a symbol of America.
2) Burning of D.C. by the British. The British just walked in and burned our capitol with very little resistance at all.
3) Battle of Plattsburg The British general is killed and the British turn back.
5) Native Defeats: Tecumseh and the Creeks (Battle of Thames and Horseshoe Bend). It’s a huge massacre of the Creeks by Jackson.

War of 1812 (and Fort McHenry)

Fort McHenry – War of 1812. First Invasion.

• Britain stopped American ships on the seas and took American sailors, forcing them to serve in the British Navy.
• The war is not popular amongst Americans. Only a few of the countrymen are in favor of this decision.
• Britain has the better army in every way, and the US has no real navy.
• United States tries to take Canada in the beginning of the war and fail miserably.
• The British don’t really believe that the Americans are a threat, so they do horrible things like raiding and raping women and burning towns and things under the orders of Vice Admiral Alexander Cochran.
• August 19th – 5000 British troops land in Maryland and begin to march west. Everyone is afraid they’re headed for Washington, so legal papers are moved out of the capitol and troops are gathered. Government officials are fleeing the city, and almost nobody is left.
• August 24th, 1814 – a humiliating defeat at Bladensburg, Maryland for the United States. Our soldiers mostly just ran away to Washington. With Washington almost abandoned, the British troops ruin our capitol.
• As the British were burning Washington, a hurricane AND a tornado appear and put out the flames, as well as killing many British soldiers.
• September 10th, 1814 – the destruction of Washington has spread fear to Baltimore. The city has to prepare for an attack so they do not have the same fate as Washington. Samuel Smith is appointed to lead the defenses.
• Major George Armistead is ordered to Fort McHenry because it guards the entrance to the city of Baltimore. The Baltimore merchants sank their own ships so that British ships couldn’t get past.
• September 11th – The British attack. Some citizens run in panic and others wait to defend the city.
• An anonymous sniper kills the British commander. This changes the entire course of the war of 1812.
• Francis Scott Key becomes one of the main leaders of the American troops.
• There is a huge battle at Fort McHenry that lasts for over 12 hours. Bombs and rockets are flying, there is lightning and gunfire and cannon fire.
  
• The only way the people still left in Baltimore will know if they are successful is if the flag above the fort is still waving. This, and the lights and sounds, were the basis for the lyrics to our National Anthem.
• At dawn of September 14th, the British are ordered to retreat after 25 hours of battle.
• Francis Scott Key was not very political, not very patriotic, and even against the war, but he thought that this country and its defenders deserved a song.
• Congress officially approved the song as the National Anthem in 1931.
• The resulting treaty didn't amount to anything, and no side got anything they really wanted, leaving the situation the same as before.

• The British target New Orleans because they are trying to get New England to secede from the union. However Andrew Jackson (a major at the time) got in the way. Jackson hated the British beyond all because they held him and his family captive earlier in his life.
• Jackson recruits an army to defend New Orleans.
• 4000 ragtag Americans against 10,000 British regulars.
• On December 12th, fishermen spy the British heading towards New Orleans.
• On December 14th, a small number of American gunboats are attacked by British ships heading for New Orleans, and the Americans lose miserably.
• Instead of pressing on and taking New Orleans by surprise, they decided to wait and plan an attack on the advancing Americans.
• Jackson orders about 1500 men to ambush the British camp.
• On December 23rd at night, the guns of the Americans open fire, catching the British camp completely by surprise. There is ferocious hand to hand combat, and Americans are forced to withdraw.
  
• 24 hours later, British and Americans meet in Ghent, Belgium to make a peace treaty from the war of 1812. However, it is too late to get word to troops in New Orleans, so that battle continues on.
• The British fail in an artillery attack, but still believe they can win.
• Only American morale, plus good luck, will turn the tide of the battle.
• There is a huge battle as the British try to attack the flank of the American line.
  
• There is chaos among the British as they are brutally attacked by the Americans, and British commanders keep falling.
• In just 20 minutes, British high command has been obliterated. The British realize they will never reach New Orleans, so after 2 hours of fighting, they retreat.

• The Federalist delegates who had pushed for succession are labeled as traitors.
• The war of 1812 was a turning point in the development of American democracy and government. It proved we were here to stay.
• It gave credence to manifest destiny, to American independence, and to American government.

Don't Know Much About History: study questions

x1) Discuss the significance of Thomas Jefferson's quote: "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing...God forbid that we should ever be twenty year without such a rebellion...The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." It is significant because he's saying that rebellion is a good thing. He is a main person in the government, but he's basically saying it's okay for the people to rebel against the government. Freedom only goes so far, but people will always have something to say against the government and the people running their country.
2) Why did Shay's Rebellion happen? The government was excessively taxing farmers for their land and taking it away and throwing them in debtors prison if they couldn't pay. They also weren't giving veterans everything they were promised. The farmers and veterans didn't like that, so they rebelled.
3) The constitution is "a political creation, hammered together in a series of artfully negotiated compromises. Discuss these compromises. The method of electing a president, slavery (3/5 rule), and representation in the Congress.
4) What was the Virginia Plan? The main points of the Virginia Plan were a two chamber legislature, executive chosen by legislature, and a judiciary also named by the legislature. It was a compromise about how the country would be set up.
5) "No person held in service" was a euphemism for what? Slaves.
6) List the basic Powers and Checks of the three branches of the government.The three branches of government are the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial. The Executive branch is basically the President of the United States, whose powers are directing the government, commanding the armed forces, dealing with foreign powers, and vetoing laws. The Legislative branch is the Congress. The powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate). The Judicial branch is our justice system which is headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers are interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding states' rights. The Executive branch can check the Legislative by vetoing laws or other decisions made. The Legislative can check the Executive right back by overriding the veto. The Judicial is the giant law enforcement system who can govern the other two branches, but is also subject to laws made by them.
7) Who wrote the Federalist Papers and why did they write them? The Federalist Papers were written by Hamilton and Madison and Jay. They wrote them in defense of the newly written Constitution. They explained the philosophy and necessity of each of the articles of the Constitution.
8) Briefly outline the first ten amendments.

• 1. Freedom of speech, religion, and the press, and the freedom peacefully demonstrate.
  
• 2. Right to form a militia and bear arms in a sovereign state.
  
• 3. Protection from having to quarter troops.
• 4. Protection of privacy and from unreasonable search/seizure.
• 5. Protects your right to due process, covers double jeopardy and self-incrimination.
• 6. Discusses trial by jury and the rights of the accused, the confrontation clause, and right to a speedy and public trial and right to competent counsel.
• 7. Civil trial by jury
• 8. Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
• 9. Protects all rights that are not specifically talked about in the Constitution.
  
• 10. Discusses the power of states and of the people.
  

9) Who could vote in the first election (what parts of the population)? Only adult, white, landowning males could vote in the first election.
10) How did Washington D.C. come be located on the banks of the Potomac? It was an agreement. They wanted it to be close to Virginia, since that was one of the largest states. Agreement was made at a private dinner between Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison.
11) What did Jay's Treaty do? Treaty made with the British to avoid another war.
12) What was the "Whiskey Rebellion" and how was it put down? It was a rebellion in response to harsh whiskey tax, led by George Washington. It was put down because they had no people, and it was pathetic.
13) Describe the election of 1800? How was it finally resolved? It was between Jefferson and Adams, but it was a tie between Jefferson and Burr, who were of the same party. There were over 30 revotes in the House, and Hamilton convinces somebody to change their vote.
14) Who was John Marshall? John Marshall was a judge who shaped American Constitutional law and made the Supreme Court what it is today, he gave it power.
15) Why did France sell its North America possessions (the Louisiana territory) to the U.S.? They sold it because they were fighting Britain in Europe and other places in the world, so they didn't really have the resources to hold the Louisiana Territory, especially after losing Haiti.
16) What did Lewis and Clark do? Describe their journey? They started from St. Louis and continued west. They had been sent by Jefferson to get into the fur trade and see if the west could be useful in the military defense of America. They were sent to inventory resources and chart the land for future exploration. It took them three years.
17) How did Hamilton incur the wrath of Aaron Burr? Was he right in what he did? How did the ordeal end? He argued that Jefferson should win the election, and he did. He also spread rumors about Burr so that he wouldn't become governor of New York. Hamilton was right in arguing for Jefferson, but he crossed the line when he spread rumors about Burr. He had the right to argue for or against whatever candidate he wanted to, but he shouldn't have spread lies. It ended in a duel, because Burr slapped Hamilton with a glove, but Hamilton wasted his shot because he didn't believe in fighting.
18) What was Jefferson's Embargo Act? Why was it unpopular and what was it suppose to do? It was a law restricting American ships from engaging in foreign trade. It was unpopular because a lot of trade was done with Britain and other major powers, so it lowered the American economy and made it so a large part of their trade was shut down. It was supposed to avoid war, but instead it led to the War of 1812.
19) What did Tecumseh try and do? He tried to unite the Native Americans from Michigan all the way down to Alabama against the encroaching settlers in order to fight off western expansion.
20) Describe the Battle of Tippecanoe? It was between U.S. forces and the Native American Confederation. The Natives kept threatening the Americans with war if they didn't back off, and so the Americans attacked first. The Americans won but they has a lot of casualties.
21) Most historians call the War of 1812 a draw. Why? It wasn't really fought for a purpose. Neither side was passionate about their side or had a big reason to fight. The treaty at the end of the war basically puts things back the way they were, and nobody gains anything from it, at least not anything new.
22) Describe the Battle of New Orleans. Final major battle in the war of 1812. Regarded as the greatest American land victory of the war. Andrew Jackson defeated the British.
23) What did the Monroe Doctrine state? The Americas were no longer open to European colonization, and that America would be the only power in the west.
24) What was the Missouri Compromise? The Missouri Compromise said that all states above a certain latitude would remain slave free, except Missouri. All states below that latitude could still own slaves.
25) How was the election of 1824 decided? Why was it called a "corrupt bargain"? It was decided in the house of representatives. It was the only election since the passage of the 12th amendment that was decided this way because there was no majority in the electoral college. 26) List some of the labels attached to Andrew Jackson. slave owner, murderer, adulterer, orphan, frontiersman, horse racing man, Indian-fighter, war hero, land speculator.
27) Was Andrew Jackson an Indian hater? What did the natives call him? What "Indian Wars" did he fight in and what was the outcome? What was his native "policy" as President? Andrew Jackson was not an Indian hater, he just wanted land, and the Indians had it. He wasn't the biggest fan of their people, but racism wasn't his driving motivation. He was called 'long knife'. He fought in the Creek War and the white people won that won, removing the Creek from half of their lands. He fought against the Seminoles, which he also won, and Florida's land was sold cheap. He also fought in the war of 1812, which is now considered a draw. His 'policy' as president was to tell the Natives either assimilate, leave, or get killed.
28) How did Jackson come to symbolize the common people? He worked his way up from being very poor to being extremely rich and in a position of power.

The Constitution: Study Questions

1) What are the three branches of government and what are the powers of each? The three branches of government are the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial. The Executive branch is basically the President of the United States, whose powers are directing the government, commanding the armed forces, dealing with foreign powers, and vetoing laws. The Legislative branch is the Congress. The powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate). The Judicial branch is our justice system which is headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers are interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding states' rights.
2) How can these branches check and balance each other? The Executive branch can check the Legislative by vetoing laws or other decisions made. The Legislative can check the Executive right back by overriding the veto. The Judicial is the giant law enforcement system who can govern the other two branches, but is also subject to laws made by them.
3) What were the compromises to the constitution? The method of electing a president, slavery (3/5 rule), and representation in the Congress.
4) Who wrote the Federalist papers? Hamilton and Madison.
5) What was the Bill of Rights? Why did some states demand its inclusion before they ratified the constitution? The Bill of Rights was a document that guaranteed certain rights to the American people, to every American person. The idea was that these rights would make it so there couldn't be a dictatorship or a tyranny and that the rights couldn't be taken away. Some states demanded its inclusion so there wouldn't become too strong a central government without the input of the people.
6) What were the anti-federalists main fears about the constitution? They feared that (especially without the Bill of Rights) there would be too strong a central government formed. They feared that they would live under tyranny as they had in England. They feared they would have no input into the running of their own country.