American History Up To 1865: Choose An Individual Or Event

American History Up To 1865choose An Individual Or Event In American H

American History up to 1865 Choose an individual or event in American History up to 1865 and make an argument about why the person or event is significant. This topic should be completely different than the topic used for your Archives assignment. This topic should also be different from the topics already discussed. If for some reason you choose a topic and you later see it covered, choose a different topic to answer. Each paragraph of your paper should reiterate and enforce the argument with evidence.

Overall, there should be more analysis than a summary in the paper. Note that a thesis is not a factual statement. It has to be something that is a shade of gray that could be proven or disproved depending upon the evidence you choose to examine. I suggest that you review the following website that can help you understand how to construct a great historical thesis: This short paper is at least three double-spaced pages of text (Times New Roman, font size 12) and you must consult a minimum of three academically credible sources. Your bibliography and citations may be in APA or MLA.

If you use any of the information from your sources word-for-word, you must cite the source by using endnotes, footnotes, or parenthetical citations. If you read the information and write it in your own words and it is not common knowledge, then you must cite the source because you are paraphrasing someone's information. A short paper is normally 3-5 pages long. You must include a bibliography at the end of your paper. While composing your paper, use proper English. Do not use abbreviations, contractions, passive voice, or first/second person (I, you, we, our, etc). Check your grammar and use spell check. Remember, the way you talk is not the way you write a paper. Please note that the key to writing a short essay is including only the most pertinent information necessary to make your point. If possible, make sure you take breaks to keep the creative juices flowing Please submit a topic on individual or event for approval.

Paper For Above instruction

The significance of the Louisiana Purchase in American history cannot be overstated, as it fundamentally transformed the territorial scope and geopolitical influence of the young nation. This event, finalized in 1803, involved the acquisition of approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France, effectively doubling the size of the United States. The purchase not only facilitated westward expansion but also set a precedent for future acquisitions and played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity and economic trajectory. Analyzing the Louisiana Purchase reveals that it was more than a simple land deal; it was a strategic move that demonstrated the United States’ ambitions for territorial growth, economic independence, and geopolitical sovereignty, making it one of the most significant events in pre-1865 American history.

The Louisiana Purchase was initiated under President Thomas Jefferson’s administration, motivated by the desire to secure control over New Orleans and the Mississippi River, crucial for trade and westward expansion. Jefferson’s approach was unconventional, as he sought a diplomatic solution that would avoid war with France, which had possession of the territory through its control of Louisiana. The purchase exemplifies Jefferson’s pragmatic shift from his conservative principles, reflecting an understanding that the nation’s survival and expansion depended upon acquiring this vast territory. The deal was made possible through negotiations with Napoleon Bonaparte, and it highlights early American diplomacy’s ability to negotiate significant land acquisitions without conflict, reinforcing the nation’s emerging stature on the global stage.

Economically, the Louisiana Purchase had profound implications. It paved the way for vast agricultural development, particularly in the Mississippi River Valley, which became a breadbasket for the burgeoning nation. The acquisition fostered economic independence by providing access to natural resources and opening up land for settlement and cultivation. The western territories acquired through the purchase also facilitated the growth of the fur trade, which became a vital economic activity in the early 19th century. The expansion into these new territories contributed to the nation’s burgeoning economy by ensuring access to new markets and resources, which proved essential for the development of a self-sufficient American economy.

Politically, the Louisiana Purchase signaled a shift in American foreign policy from caution to a more assertive stance of territorial expansion. It demonstrated Jefferson’s willingness to use federal power to promote national interests, setting a precedent for future territorial acquisitions and territorial governance. This event also fueled debates over constitutional authority concerning land acquisition, with Jefferson’s constitutional reservations eventually giving way to a pragmatic acceptance that the expansion was necessary for national growth. The purchase played a crucial role in shaping the United States’ geographical boundaries and territorial ambitions, laying the groundwork for future expansion westward across the continent.

Moreover, the Louisiana Purchase had profound cultural and societal implications. It accelerated migration and settlement into the western territories, leading to increased interaction among various indigenous nations, European settlers, and African Americans. This demographic shift contributed to cultural exchanges but also heightened conflicts with Native American tribes over land rights and sovereignty. The influx of settlers fostered the development of new communities and states, ultimately shaping the social fabric of frontier America. While it opened opportunities for many Americans, it also initiated a legacy of displacement and conflict that would influence American domestic policy for decades to come.

In conclusion, the Louisiana Purchase’s significance lies in its multifaceted impact on the trajectory of American development. It exemplifies strategic diplomacy, economic foresight, and territorial ambition, establishing the physical and ideological foundations of the United States’ continental expansion. Its influence can be seen in subsequent American policies of Manifest Destiny and westward growth, making it an undeniable cornerstone event prior to 1865. The purchase not only expanded American territory but also encapsulated the nation’s aspirations for greatness, self-sufficiency, and territorial sovereignty, shaping the nation’s future in profound and lasting ways.

References

• Ambrose, S. E. (1996). Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West. Simon & Schuster.
• Dreisbach, L. E. (2002). The Louisiana Purchase and American Expansion. Westview Press.
• Finkelman, P. (2016). Slavery and the Origins of the Civil War. Routledge.
• Holton, G. (1992). The Jeffersonian Crisis: The Louisiana Purchase and Its Aftermath. University of Virginia Press.
• Klein, H. S. (2003). The American West: A New Interpretive History. Oxford University Press.
• McCullough, D. (2002). 1776. Simon & Schuster.
• Rakove, J. N. (2004). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Random House.
• Ronda, J. P. (2017). Lewis and Clark: An Illustrated History. University of Nebraska Press.
• Taylor, A. (2006). American Republics: A Continental History, 1783-1850. W. W. Norton & Company.
• White, R. (2011). The Road to Disunion: Secessionists and Secession. University of North Carolina Press.