Hist 1301 Writing Assignment 2 Due May 10 542930

Hist 1301writing Assignment 2 Due May 10

Students are to answer specific questions based on the assigned readings for Units 3 and 4, discussing significant events, figures, movements, and concepts in American history. Responses must be a minimum of 150 words per question, include citations or references, and be submitted via the online discussion board and SafeAssign. Students are required to respond to at least one classmate and the instructor. Review the provided units to prepare your answers thoroughly.

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of US history through pivotal events, influential figures, reform movements, territorial expansion, and civil conflict offers crucial insights into the nation’s development. This essay synthesizes these aspects, emphasizing their interconnections and significance.

Introduction

The transformative phases of American history, specifically from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, reveal the complex fabric of nation-building. Through examining significant events from Units 3 and 4, the impacts of the Industrial Revolution, Manifest Destiny, prominent political figures like Andrew Jackson, reform movements, and the Civil War, we gain a comprehensive understanding of how environmental, political, and social forces shaped the United States. These elements collectively unfolded the narrative of a nation striving for expansion, identity, and cohesion amid internal and external conflicts.

Question 1: Significant Event and the American Way of Life

One of the most significant events in U.S. history from Unit 3 is the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the infamous Trail of Tears. This event epitomized the aggressive westward expansion driven by Manifest Destiny—a belief that Americans were divinely authorized to spread across the continent. During this period, Americans lived a life shaped by rapid industrialization, which transformed economic and social life by mechanizing agriculture, fostering urbanization, and creating new labor opportunities. The Industrial Revolution profoundly impacted the American way of life by shifting employment from agrarian to industrial sectors, fostering a market economy, and increasing mobility. It also exacerbated social inequalities, as urban poor and factory workers often faced harsh conditions. Americans survived through ingenuity and adaptation, but the era was also marked by displacement of indigenous peoples, increased immigration, and economic disparities, all of which molded the modern American identity (Taylor, 2019).

Question 2: Andrew Jackson’s Presidency and Legacy

Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president, played a pivotal role in shaping the early 19th-century political landscape. His presidency was marked by significant controversies, particularly the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forcibly relocated Native tribes from their lands to territories west of the Mississippi River. This policy resulted in immense suffering and loss of life, earning him the moniker “The Great Destroyer” among Native Americans (Remini, 2001). Jackson also opposed the Second Bank of the United States, believing it favored elites at the expense of common Americans, leading to the Bank War and his subsequent veto. His populist approach extended suffrage to more white men, shaping a more democratic political culture. Nonetheless, his legacy is complex; while he expanded political participation, his policies also entrenched racial and economic inequalities. Jackson’s assertive leadership strengthened executive power but left a legacy marred by displacement and systemic injustices (Brands, 2008).

Question 3: Reform Movements in Unit 3

The Second Great Awakening was a significant reform movement highlighted in Unit 3, emphasizing religious revival and moral reform across the nation. It spurred movements advocating for temperance, abolition, and women’s rights, reflecting a collective desire to create a morally upright society. The movement’s impact was profound; it galvanized abolitionists and woman suffragists, fostering organizations like the American Anti-Slavery Society and the Seneca Falls Convention. These efforts challenged established social norms, promoted human rights, and laid the groundwork for future civil rights activism. The awakening also contributed to social activism that aimed to eliminate alcohol abuse and promote educational reforms, ultimately influencing the broader American social fabric and politics (Noll, 2002).

Question 4: Manifest Destiny and U.S.-Mexico Conflicts

Manifest Destiny was a belief that Americans were destined by divine right to expand across North America. It justified westward movement by emphasizing the nation’s mission to spread democracy and civilization. This ideology expanded America’s concept of moving West beyond mere territorial ambition to a divine purpose. Conflicts with Mexico, primarily over Texas and California, exemplify these tensions. The Texas Revolution (1835-1836) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) were driven by U.S. expansionism and manifest destiny. Key figures included Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston in Texas, and General Zachary Taylor and President James K. Polk during the war. These conflicts resulted in territorial acquisitions, profoundly shaping the nation’s borders and fueling debate over slavery expansion, which would ultimately contribute to the Civil War (Levine, 2013).

Question 1: Key Figure from Lesson 13 and Their Role

One prominent figure from Lesson 13 is Abraham Lincoln. His leadership during the Civil War and his advocacy for abolishing slavery positioned him as a monumental figure in American history. Lincoln's dedication to preserving the Union and his issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation marked a decisive turn toward ending slavery and redefining American ideals of equality. I chose Lincoln because of his profound influence during a tumultuous period, exemplifying leadership rooted in moral conviction and national unity. His legacy persists in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the foundational principle that liberty and justice should be accessible to all Americans (McPherson, 2009).

Question 2: Understanding of the Civil War Past and Present

Prior to reading Unit 4, I viewed the Civil War primarily as a conflict over states' rights and slavery. Now, my understanding is more nuanced; it involved deep economic, cultural, and political divisions. The primary cause of tensions was slavery, intertwined with issues of economic interests, political power, and regional identities. Slavery was central because it underpinned the Southern economy and social order, leading to conflict with the more industrialized North, which opposed expanding slavery into new territories. The war was thus not just a battle over territory, but over the moral and economic future of the nation. This understanding highlights how systemic slavery was fundamental to sectional tensions that precipitated the war (Foner, 2015).

Question 3: Notable Battle — Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg (1863) was a pivotal confrontation in the Civil War, fought in Pennsylvania. It was the war’s bloodiest battle, resulting in a Union victory that marked a turning point by halting Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North. The battle underscored the Union’s resolve and symbolized the Northern effort to preserve the Union. Its significance lies in its scale and outcome, which diminished Confederate hopes of victory and set the stage for subsequent Union advances. The Gettysburg Address, delivered shortly after, further cemented the war’s meaning as a fight for human equality and democracy (McPherson, 2015).

Question 4: Reconstruction and Freedmen

Reconstruction aimed to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into American society. Its impact on freedmen was complex; while legally freeing enslaved people and attempting to grant civil rights, Reconstruction was ultimately inconsistent and short-lived. It provided some legal protections and land rights, but many efforts were undermined by white opposition and the rise of Black Codes. Overall, Reconstruction had a positive impact by establishing foundational civil rights, yet it fell short of ensuring full equality, leading to persistent racial disparities. The period’s successes in establishing legal rights were crucial, but the failure to enforce them resulted in a long-lasting legacy of racial injustice (Foner, 2019).

References

• Brands, H. W. (2008). Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times. Doubleday.
• Foner, E. (2015). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Foner, E. (2019). Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. Harper & Row.
• Levine, B. (2013). The Key of Liberty: The Life and Democratic Thought of John L. O’Sullivan. University of Missouri Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (2009). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (2015). Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution. Oxford University Press.
• Noll, M. A. (2002). The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield, and the Wesleys. InterVarsity Press.
• Remini, R. V. (2001). Andrew Jackson: The Course of American Democracy, 1833-1845. Harpercollins.
• Taylor, G. R. (2019). The Civil War and American Political Evolution. Routledge.