Introduction to US History/Quiz Review 2

Material on Quiz 2, begins with the American Revolution. It includes the writing of the Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase. It concludes with the War of 1812.

American Revolution

• Two of our “founding fathers” were sent to France as ambassadors during the American Revolution. While very different in their lifestyle and work ethics, both gentlemen were successful in coercing the French to come to the aid of America. Eventually, one assisted in the writing of the US Constitution and the other became a US president. Who were they? * Thomas Jefferson is NOT one of the gentlemen I am referring to.
  • Ben Franklin and James Adams
• What was the Declaration of Independence? Why was it written and who did most of the writing? How does it begin?
  • It was basically a statement listing the reasons as to why the Americans wanted to be free from British rule written mostly by TJ after the second Continental Congress in July 4, 1776 [independence day]; it begins with "when, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained"
• How did George Washington lead his troops to victory in the American Revolution? To be exact, how did untrained colonists (farmers, merchants, citizen soldiers) manage to triumph in their battle for independence over Great Britain’s highly trained and world-renowned naval and military might?
  • This was because of Washington's work ethic and insane mentality. His ability to keep calm under pressure and not submit to defeat is what made him an outstanding general - not his records or tactics, which were below average
• How did General Cornwallis lose the war for England? What significant role did the French play at Yorktown?
  • General Cornwallis lost the war to the US at the Siege of Yorktown, where he was cornered by the French and the Americans while short on supplies. The French supported on-land (with troops under Marquis de Lafayette) and off-land (French navy blocked the British navy from delivering supplies).
• Based on the article, “The Greatness of George Washington,” what did he do (twice) that stunned both the world and much of the US? The 1st took place immediately following the Revolutionary War; the 2nd time he stunned the world took place immediately following the conclusion of his 2nd term as President.
  • He immediately resigned as commander-in-chief in 1783, which was not expected as successful military men at the time would climb up the political ranks seeking more power. At the conclusion of his 2nd term, he didn't seek re-election - he retired to Mt. Vernon. This was shocking because rulers, at the time, would live out in power until their deaths. His retirement set the precedent for future presidents and the Republican character of the U.S. Constitution.

Writing the Constitution

• Who is called the “father of the Constitution & why?
  • James Madison is referred to as the "father" of the Constitution because of his prominent plan for the legislative branch, titled the Virginia Plan, during the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his drafting of the Bill of Rights.
• What was the Virginia Plan? (The answer is in the article “Miracle in Philadelphia”)
  • Created by Madison and Edmond Randolph, it entailed a bicameral legislation - consisting of a house elected directly by the people and the other house consisting of two representatives from every state; it emphasized a strong, central gov't and gave Congress to tax the state. The house which was based off of population (House of Representatives) was unique to the Virginian Plan because it emphasized governance over the people and not individual states
• Who was the (Virginia) delegate who insisted a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution? (No, Jefferson is not the correct answer).
  • George Mason
• Be able to list/explain at least 2 of your rights (as stated in our Bill of Rights)
  • Right to practice religion, so you cannot be arrested for praying at the mosque. The gov't cannot officiate any religion, endorse a religion, or prevent the free practice of a religion
  • Right to free speech, so you can criticize the president without getting in trouble. The gov't cannot censor free, non-threatening speech and anyone is free to express their views and beliefs

Chief Justice John Marshall

• What did our hometown hero do to irrevocably change American government? Explain “Judicial Review” & Marbury vs. Madison. You do not need to explain the legal case, just why its verdict was so very important to the US Supreme Court?
  • John Marshall is most known for setting the power of judicial review and the US Constitution in Marbury vs. Madison. In this case, he put blame on the executive branch for failing their duties, declared a portion of a Congressional Act as "unconstitutional", and abided by the Constitution's rights that were given to the judicial branch. This was an important case because it established the significance of the judicial branch: that it was not going to be the "little supporter" of the branches and that it was its own functionary branch with its set of legal powers. If Marshall submitted to TJ's political pressure than the judicial branch would not be as powerful as it is today in terms of its reputation, power, and significance.

Alexander Hamilton & Thomas Jefferson

• They saw the nation very differently. It all revolved around power: who controls the government. A federal government or was power to be controlled by each individual state? Be able to explain which man wanted “state’s rights” with power held by state governments and which man believed power should reside in the hands of a few (federal gov’t).
  • Alexander Hamilton wanted the federal gov't to rule over the states as exemplified in the w:Federalist No. 46, where Alex Hamilton's arguments are reaffirmed by James Madison that the state gov't shouldn't worry about the federal gov't powers listed in the Constitution. w:Federalist No. 45 also argued for, by James Madison, that the states shouldn't worry about the federal gov't powers as its all combined to help the Union [the country]. Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, supported significant state government rights in order to prevent any potential abuse by the federal gov't. Jefferson also believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and opposed to a National Bank, all opposite of Hamilton's beliefs

The Louisiana Purchase

• How did this transaction dramatically change American history? Which president was directly involved & why did Napoleon sell?
  • The purchase gave America over 800k square miles of land, leading to the formations of several states; TJ and Napoleon sold the land for the money, pathway for French soldiers to come back, and he believed he was gonna get the land back anyways by conquering the US
• Why did the Lewis & Clark expedition it take place? Who were the leaders?
  • TJ want someone, specifically Lewis (cultural explorer, "leader") and Clark ("manager", geographer), to explore the land to see what the US had in their hands, a water pathway to the US, and to interact positively with the Indians

War of 1812

• Why did America find itself involved in yet another war with England? What did the war reveal about the differences between Northern and Southern states?
  • The British captured 5k+ US sailors, attacked the USS Chesapeake (killing US Captains) [maritime rights], or the acquisition of Spanish/Canadian territory; The war showed that the North and South differed fundamentally. The North wanted to stay out of the war because they didn't want their business affected; the South were somewhat hungry for blood and wanted revenge/land [Canadian].
• What role did American Indians play in this war?
  • American Indians caused more chaos for the Americans to deal with. The Western Confederacy sided with the British in the War of 1812 in order to prevent American expansion
• What happened to Tecumseh & his brother “the prophet” during the war?
  • Tecumseh died in the Battle of Thames vs. Andrew Jackson and Tenskwatawa died in the Battle of Tippecanoe vs. William H. Harrison - both dying in 1813.
• Which two future presidents were directly involved in the fighting “out west” in the US?
  • Andrew Jackson, William H. Harrison
• What American city was ransacked and burned to the ground by the British? (hint: Dolly Madison became an overnight heroine)
  • Washington D.C.