Choose Two Of The Following Prompts And Answer Them

Choose Two Of The Following Prompts Below And Answer Them In An Essay

Choose TWO of the following prompts below and answer them in an essay of approximately words for each. You do NOT need to cite sources or use support quotes like you do in your weekly source analysis, but you do need to provide specific examples of people, events, and ideas in support of your answer. The Aztec and Incan empires had massive standing armies, had conquered and subdued all their neighbors, and drastically outnumbered the Spanish, yet both fell incredibly quickly to the Spanish once conflict broke out. How was that possible? What decisive advantages did the Spanish have, and why didn’t the Aztec have them too? How did the ideas of the Enlightenment pave the way for the American Revolution? What ideas and concepts did it introduce that sowed the seeds for Revolution? What would you say were the three most pivotal moments of the American Revolution? Limit your discussion between the years 1774 and 1781. You must explain in detail why your chosen events are so pivotal, and you do not have to only discuss battles. How and why did the United States develop its first political parties and two-party system? What were the ideas that divided the nation, and what specific debates highlighted those issues? Compare and contrast the federal government under the US Constitution with the government that England had when the 13 colonies rebelled. Did the US create the very thing that it fought against? You can argue whatever answer you want, as long as you make a strong case.

Paper For Above instruction

Question 1: How was it possible for the Spanish to conquer the Aztec and Incan Empires despite their larger armies and greater numbers?

The rapid fall of the Aztec and Incan empires to the Spanish conquistadors, despite their vast armies and significant territorial control, can be attributed to several decisive advantages held by the Europeans. Key among these was technological superiority, especially in weaponry. The Spanish had firearms, steel swords, and armor that the indigenous peoples lacked. The use of firearms, such as muskets and cannons, created psychological and physical impacts on indigenous armies unacquainted with such technology. Additionally, the Spanish had horses that provided mobility and a psychological edge, as indigenous societies had no familiarity or resistance to mounted cavalry. The psychological impact of these technological advantages, combined with European diseases like smallpox, which devastated native populations, further tilted the balance in favor of the conquistadors. The indigenous empires lacked immunity to these diseases, causing dramatic population declines and weakening their military capacity. Furthermore, political and social divisions within these empires were exploited by the Spaniards; alliances with local enemies of the Aztecs or Incas facilitated Spanish conquest. For instance, Hernán Cortés forged alliances with Tlaxcalans, enemies of the Aztecs, which significantly bolstered his forces. The combination of technological superiority, biological factors, strategic alliances, and psychological warfare explains how the Spanish could achieve swift victories despite the native empires’ larger armies.

Question 2: How did the ideas of the Enlightenment pave the way for the American Revolution?

The Enlightenment was a pivotal intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individual rights, and the concept of social contract. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau introduced ideas that challenged traditional authority and legitimized resistance against oppressive governments. Locke's theory of natural rights—life, liberty, and property—became foundational for revolutionary thought, as colonists believed the British government was infringing upon their rights. Locke also argued that governments derived their legitimacy from the consent of the governed; when rulers violate the rights of their subjects, citizens are justified in overthrowing them. Montesquieu’s idea of the separation of powers influenced American leaders to create a government with checks and balances, preventing tyranny. The emphasis on reason and scientific inquiry encouraged colonists to question authority and seek independence based on rational principles rather than tradition. Key moments that exemplify the influence of Enlightenment ideas include the Declaration of Independence, which articulated unalienable rights and justified rebellion, and the ongoing debates about government structure during the Constitutional Convention. These ideas collectively fomented a revolutionary mindset rooted in liberty, rights, and the belief in a government accountable to the people.

Question 3: How and why did the United States develop its first political parties and two-party system?

The development of political parties in early America stemmed from divergent views on governance, economic policy, and the role of federal authority. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, favored a strong central government, national bank, and industrial growth, whereas the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, prioritized states’ rights, agrarianism, and limited federal power. These ideological differences led to debates over issues such as the authority of federal government under the Constitution, the national economy, and foreign policy orientation—whether towards Britain or France. The First Party System emerged as these differences became institutionalized, exemplified by conflicts over the national bank, the Alien and Sedition Acts, and monetary policy. Comparing the U.S. government's structure with that of England reveals the revolutionary desire for a government where power derived from the people, unlike the colonial experience under an imperial monarchy. Although the United States created a system of political parties, the two-party system became an essential mechanism for balancing differing interests—yet, in some ways, it mirrored the partisan conflicts that had prompted rebellion, emphasizing the ongoing tension between centralized authority and states’ rights.

References

• Foner, E. (2017). "Give Me Liberty!: An American History." W.W. Norton & Company.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). "The Radicalism of the American Revolution." Vintage Books.
• Maier, P. (2010). "The Roots of American Democracy." Harvard University Press.
• Noll, M. A. (2002). "America's God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln." Oxford University Press.
• Locke, J. (1689). "Two Treatises of Government." Awnsham Churchill.
• Montesquieu, Baron de. (1748). "The Spirit of the Laws." Cadell & Davies.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution." Harvard University Press.
• Elkins, S. & McKerricher, E. (2010). "The Age of Federalism." Indiana University Press.
• Chernow, R. (2010). "Alexander Hamilton." Penguin Press.