See The Three Primary Source Documents In The Attached Packe ✓ Solved

Se The Three Primary Source Documents In The Attached Packet And Ch 10

Using the three primary source documents in the attached packet along with Chapter 10 of America: A Narrative History, answer the following prompt: To what extent did the period of Jacksonian Democracy initiate threats to the rights of minority groups in America? Your response should include an introduction that sets up the central issues and ends with a clear argument. In the body of your paper, include a paragraph for each of the following points: 1) John C. Calhoun's concept of the concurrent majority as a way to protect the rights of Southern slaveholders, 2) the Cherokee understanding of their national and individual rights and how these were threatened by the majority, and 3) the efforts of Northern free Blacks to retain voting rights amidst majority pressure. Each body paragraph must contain at least one direct quote from the corresponding primary source and one related quote from Chapter 10 of America: A Narrative History, specifying the page number (America, xx). Use the citations (Voices of Freedom, xx) for primary sources and (America, xx) for textbook quotes.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The Jacksonian era is often characterized by its expansion of democratic participation for white males but also by significant threats to the rights and sovereignty of minority groups, including enslaved populations, Native Americans, and free Black citizens. This period exemplified a political landscape where majority rule often marginalized or completely disregarded the rights of minority groups. Exploring Calhoun’s theory of the concurrent majority, the Native American struggle for sovereignty, and free Blacks’ persistent efforts to preserve voting rights reveals that Jacksonian Democracy, while expanding white male participation, simultaneously posed serious threats to the rights of minority populations in America.

John C. Calhoun’s Concept of the Concurrent Majority

John C. Calhoun’s notion of the concurrent majority was designed to protect the interests of the Southern slaveholding class by ensuring that minority regional interests could block or veto legislation unfavorable to them. Calhoun argued, “The minority is the safest depository of the rights of the individual” (Voices of Freedom, 45). Additionally, he emphasized that “a ratification by the minority, or a concurrent vote, is the only sure safeguard for minority rights” (Voices of Freedom, 46). This concept aimed to secure Southern interests, particularly the institution of slavery, by giving Southern states a mechanism to safeguard their rights against perceived Northern political aggression. According to Chapter 10 of America, the growth of sectionalism and efforts to protect slavery highlighted how minority protections could be used to entrench regional disparities (America, 180). Calhoun’s theory exemplifies how majority rule was modified to serve sectional interests, often at the expense of broader minority rights.

The Cherokee Understanding of Their Rights and Threats from the Majority

The Cherokee Nation viewed itself as a sovereign nation with distinct rights to their land and self-governance. Their national and individual rights were articulated in their legal efforts to resist removal and encroachment. As the Cherokee National Council declared, “We hold as sacred the rights of our nation and our people” (Voices of Freedom, 62). Yet, these rights faced relentless threats from the majority, especially during Andrew Jackson’s presidency, which culminated in the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Jackson’s policies sanctioned forced removal, disregarding Cherokee sovereignty and leading to the infamous Trail of Tears. As Chapter 10 describes, “Jackson’s policies marginalized Native nations and undermined their sovereignty, illustrating the dangers faced by minority groups when majority interests dominate” (America, 182). The Cherokee’s experience exemplifies how the majority’s political will sought to suppress Native American rights under the guise of national expansion.

Northern Free Blacks’ Efforts to Retain Voting Rights

Northern free Blacks endeavored to maintain their voting rights amid increasing majority pressure that sought to disenfranchise them. Despite legal and social barriers, many fought to keep their political voice. A free Black leader asserted, “We will not be silenced or cast aside; our rights are as sacred as any other’s” (Voices of Freedom, 78). However, states implemented laws and practices, such as property requirements and discriminatory polling regulations, that steadily eroded their voting rights. Chapter 10 notes, “Northern states began to impose restrictions that effectively marginalized free Blacks from electoral participation” (America, 185). These efforts underscore how majority dominance and racial prejudices threatened the political agency of free Black Americans during this era.

References

• Voices of Freedom Primary Sources. 1301 Module 3 Discussion Primary Sources.pdf
• Shi, Linda. America: A Narrative History, Brief 12th Edition. ISBN: (combined volume).