Hist 1301 Writing Assignment 2 Due May 10

Hist 1301writing Assignment 2 Due May 10

Students are to answer the questions using the assigned readings for the week. Students will submit the responses to all of the questions to the online discussion board and to SafeAssign. Students will need to respond to at least one classmate and to the instructor. All work must include references and/or citations. Minimum word count for each question is 150 words.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the changes and developments in American history from the early 19th century through Reconstruction offers essential insights into how the nation evolved. In examining these periods, significant events, influential figures, and social movements reveal the complexities of American growth, conflict, and transformation.

Question 1: A significant event in U.S. history from Unit 3

One of the pivotal events in U.S. history during Unit 3 was the Industrial Revolution, which dramatically transformed American society both economically and socially. The Industrial Revolution, spanning the early 19th century, introduced mechanization and technological advances that shifted the nation from an agrarian economy to an industrial powerhouse. Americans' lives changed as factory work became the primary source of employment, urban centers expanded rapidly, and transportation networks such as railroads connected distant regions. The rapid growth facilitated by industrialization led to increased production of goods and economic prosperity, but also resulted in harsh working conditions, child labor, and the rise of labor movements advocating for workers’ rights. A social media post or newspaper headline during this period might read: “America Races Toward Prosperity: Factories, Cities Boom as Steam Power Transforms Nation.” This event exemplifies how Americans adapted to new economic realities, shaping the modern American way of life and laying the foundation for future economic growth (Foner, 2014).

Question 2: Andrew Jackson and his role as U.S. President

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, played a controversial and transformative role in American history. His presidency (1829-1837) was marked by efforts to expand presidential power and promote populist policies. One notable controversy was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forcibly relocated Native American tribes from southeastern lands to territories west of the Mississippi River. This policy led to the tragic Trail of Tears, causing immense suffering and loss of life among Native populations. Jackson also vehemently opposed the Second Bank of the United States, viewing it as a monopoly that favored the wealthy and threatened democratic principles. His legacy includes his reputation as a champion of the common man, but also as a president responsible for policies that marginalized Native Americans and exacerbated sectional tensions. Jackson’s presidency set the stage for future debates over executive power and federal authority (Remini, 1984).

Question 3: Reform movement highlighted in Unit 3

One significant reform movement during this period was the abolitionist movement, which sought to end slavery in the United States. The movement grew in strength during the early to mid-19th century, fueled by moral, religious, and political arguments against slavery. Abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harriet Beecher Stowe advocated for emancipation and equal rights for formerly enslaved people. The movement had a profound impact on American history, intensifying sectional tensions that ultimately culminated in the Civil War. It also helped lay the groundwork for subsequent civil rights movements. The moral crusade against slavery challenged deeply entrenched economic and social structures, forcing the nation to confront its contradictions and injustices (McPherson, 1988).

Question 4: Manifest Destiny and U.S. conflicts with Mexico

Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This ideology justified westward expansion and the acquisition of new territories, often disregarding the rights of indigenous peoples and Mexico. The U.S. encountered significant conflicts with Mexico as it sought to expand its territory, notably during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Tensions arose over the annexation of Texas, which Mexico considered its province. Key figures in these conflicts included President James K. Polk, who aggressively pursued territorial expansion, and General Zachary Taylor. The war resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ceded large territories—including California and New Mexico—to the U.S. and exemplified the Manifest Destiny mindset of territorial growth at the expense of Mexican sovereignty (Bailey, 1997).

Question 1: Understanding of a key individual from Unit 4

One individual from Unit 4 I gained a better understanding of was Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery profoundly shaped American history. His dedication to preserving the Union and his Emancipation Proclamation shifted the war’s focus towards ending slavery, laying the foundation for civil rights advancements. I chose Lincoln because of his strategic leadership, moral conviction, and his ability to unify a fractured nation during its most turbulent time. His legacy is significant because he preserved the United States as a unified nation and set the course for racial equality through initiatives like the Civil War amendments. Lincoln’s leadership exemplifies the importance of moral integrity and perseverance in the face of national crisis (Goodwin, 2005).

Question 2: Understanding the Civil War post-Unit 4 reading

Before studying Unit 4, my understanding of the Civil War centered on the clash between the North and South over states’ rights and slavery. Now, I see the war as a complex conflict driven by economic, social, and political differences that ultimately centered around the issue of slavery. The tensions between the North’s industrial economy and the South’s reliance on plantation agriculture created irreconcilable differences. Slavery was a core issue, not only as an economic factor but also as a moral and political point of contention. The debate over whether slavery was a moral evil or a permissible institution fueled sectional divisions, leading to conflict. The war resulted in over 600,000 deaths and ended with the Union’s victory, which abolished slavery and preserved the nation’s integrity (McPherson, 1988).

Question 3: Significant Civil War battle

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to 3, 1863, in Pennsylvania, was one of the most significant battles of the Civil War. It was a turning point, resulting in a major Union victory that halted Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North. The battle involved around 165,000 soldiers and resulted in heavy casualties—approximately 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. Its significance lies in its strategic impact; it marked the beginning of the Confederacy’s decline and boosted Union morale. President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address later memorialized the battlefield, emphasizing the principles of human equality and dedication to a unified nation. This event is vital in U.S. history because it demonstrated the brutality of the war and shifted momentum toward Union victory, ultimately leading to the Confederacy’s defeat (Blair, 1987).

Question 4: Impact of Reconstruction on freedmen

The Reconstruction period aimed to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into American society. While it brought some successes, such as the establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau and the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, overall, its impact on freedmen was mixed. Many freed slaves faced substantial obstacles, including discriminatory Black Codes, segregation, and violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Despite legal gains, economic dependence and lack of land ownership impeded true freedom and equality for many freedmen. Reconstruction's efforts laid the groundwork for civil rights struggles but also exposed persistent racial inequalities. Ultimately, the withdrawal of federal troops in 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction, leading to nearly a century of segregation and disenfranchisement. Therefore, reconstruction had a limited positive impact, offering legal rights but failing to ensure economic and social equality (Foner, 1988).

References

• Bailey, J. (1997). The Mexican-American War: A Short History. University of Oklahoma Press.
• Blair, W. (1987). Battle of Gettysburg: The Turning Point of the Civil War. Indiana University Press.
• Foner, E. (2014). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Foner, E. (1988). A Short History of Reconstruction. Harper & Row.
• Goodwin, D. (2005). Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Simon & Schuster.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Treaty of the Great Compromiser: The Civil War. Oxford University Press.
• Remini, R. V. (1984). Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Democracy, 1822-1832. Johns Hopkins University Press.