Description
Case study1
Readings
Read chapters 8 and 9 in your textbook.
Read the “Articles of Confederation” and the Constitution
https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=3&page=transcript
The U.S. Constitution
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp
Read George Washington’s Inaugural Address
https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html
Read John Adams’s Inaugural Address
www.bartleby.com/124/pres15.html
Read Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Address
www.bartelby.com/124/pres16.html
Background https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGG9afW7XY&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fdbu.blackboard.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title
In response to the inability of the Confederation government, the writers of the Constitution had two main concerns. First, they believed that a stronger central government with more authority and power was needed. Second, they believed that the power and authority of this government must be balanced with that of the states, with the people theoretically retaining most of the power and authority. They were concerned about the potential abuse of power by those who governed. Therefore, they created many “checks and balances” to protect against the abuse of power.
The Constitution divided the central government into three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive. They specifically defined the powers of each branch and reserved all other power to the states and the people.
In this case study, write an essay explaining the concept of “checks and balances,” based on the required reading. Describe several of the “checks and balances” contained in the Constitution and explain how they work. Feel free to discuss the reasons for creating this form of government. It is called a Federation and is a “representative democracy.” How is this different from a “pure democracy?”
As always in a case study, a good essay of at least three or four solid paragraphs (about 300 words) is required, as well as comments on at least two other students’ posts.
Case study2
Resadings
Read the assigned textbook Ch. 13, 16, and in addition:John L. O’Sullivan Manifest Destiny, 1839https://mediarichlearning.com/john-l-osullivan-on-manifest-destiny/More background on Manifest Destinyhttp://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/manifest-destiny/manifest-destiny—the-philosophy-that-created-a-nation.php
Background
The United States was coming into its own by the 1820s. Between the end of the War of 1812 and the Civil War, Americans created a truly unique culture. Non-European, Americans of all classes and castes created a new lifestyle, although not all the groups agreed on one particular type of culture, all sought to make something new that would truly represent the new world.
American Society
Immigration
A mass immigration constituted one of the greatest changes to occur in the United States after 1820. In fact, the period represents the greatest migration of peoples into the United States until close till the turn of the twentieth century.
Between 1820 and 1830, more than 150,000 immigrated to the U. S.
By 1840, more than 600,000 had immigrated (a huge increase in just ten years)
And between 1840 and 1850, more than a million and a half new immigrants arrived on American shores.
All this immigration greatly changed the demographics of the United States and created a working class culture for the first time.
Most of the immigrants congregated in the cities in the Northeast and looked for menial work.
Most were poor and unskilled.
Who were these immigrants?
Most were Irish. They were fleeing Ireland’s potato famine and the oppressive British. Many of them spoke Gaelic and were Catholic.
Other immigrants came from Germany. They were fleeing the radical economic and political changes occurring in the German states. Few spoke English.
These immigrants were very different from the other Americans, most of who hailed from British ancestry. They spoke a different language (not English), practiced different religions, had different social values, ate different foods, and the Irish and Germans were both heavy drinkers, very different from the British.
These immigrants settled in ethnic enclaves, built their own churches, stores, pubs, beer halls, and other institutions. They started fraternal clubs, lived in substandard housing with crowded living conditions that were uncomfortable and unsanitary.
To combat their isolation, loneliness, and poor living conditions, these immigrants created a unique working class culture.
Working class culture
Drinking alcohol proved the social distraction of choice for many of these immigrants. Whiskey and gin were cheap and readily available. For example, you could purchase a gallon of whiskey in 1830 for as little as $0.25.
Minstrel shows also provided cheap entertainment. These were variety shows in which white actors made up as blacks presented jokes, songs, dances, and comic strips. Although not socially acceptable today, working class white Americans in the 1830s loved these shows. They cost little and featured fast-paced music and raunchy comedy. You could also purchase alcohol during intermission or in basement pubs, combining a show with a drink!
Bare-knuckle boxing was popular with the Irish. Booze sold ringside, so the crowds were often loud and heatedly involved. Fighting proved a favorite pastime of the working class, and it was not always contained to the ring.
Working class women had few social outlets. Their men might drink, attend a minstrel show or a fight, but the women usually found themselves at home with their children. Such double standards erupted into many family fights and led to women trying to ban the use of alcohol (the temperance movement) and eventually to women fighting for the right to vote and equality.
The concept of Manifest Destiny emerged in the mid-1840s and rapidly turned into a doctrine held by most Americans. The doctrine proclaimed that it was the destiny of the United States to expand across the entire continent of North America. Underlying this belief was the assumption, sometimes stated outright and sometimes only implied, that American people of European origins (whites) represented the pinnacle of human social and political development. As such, Americans had the right, indeed the duty, to take and hold as much of North America as possible.In 1848, the United States declared war against Mexico. What were America’s motives for waging the war?(Hint: this might just have something to do with Manifest Destiny!) Additionally, how “American” is the Mexican-American War of 1848? In other words, does the war against Mexico represent the values Americans associate with the United States? And how similar is the recent political situation in Iraq and Afghanistan linked with this idea of Manifest Destiny?Some sources to consider:John L. O’Sullivan Manifest Destiny, 1839 https://mediarichlearning.com/john-l-osullivan-on-manifest-destiny/More background on Manifest Destinyhttp://www.let.rug.nl/usa/essays/1801-1900/manifest-destiny/manifest-destiny—the-philosophy-that-created-a-nation.phpLook also for information about the Mexican War of 1848.
What were Amerca’s motives for waging war in Mexico in 1848? Additionally, how “American” is the Mexican-American War of 1848?
Does the war against Mexico represent the values Americans associate with the United States? And how similar is the recent political situation in Iraq and Afghanistan linked with this idea of Manifest Destiny?
Remember to utilize the assigned documents, write at least a 300 word essay, and post responses to other students’ postings.
Discussion1
Readings Read Ch. 10, 11, 12 in textbook.
Cherokee Indian Removal Debate
Indian Removal Act: http://www.historynet.com/indian-removal-act
Choose one (1) of the following to write on:
1. How did Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase transform America’s understanding of itself and its future? What benefits and problems did Jefferson see with this? Was it inevitable that the West would become part of a much greater United States?
2. Did the Supreme Court decisions under John Marshall’s leadership extend federal power too much? Is it appropriate that someone who was not elected should have such tremendous power to shape the government and the law? Is it appropriate that a political party’s ideology be implemented through the judiciary?
3. How dramatically did President Jackson change the balance of power between the three branches of government? Did he dramatically expand the power of the executive branch? Cite examples from the text to support your position.
