What If?

An interesting way to look back at history is to play the "What If?" game.  As the name states, you take an event you are studying, look at a decision someone made, and ask yourself "What if they had done something different?"  This type of game usually lends itself to great discussion and debate.

So I'm going to set up a "What If?" and in the comments section you are going to answer.  Feel free to reference other's comments and respectfully disagree if you do not see eye-to-eye.

Jackson Era "What If?" Scenario
Jackson's first major act as president, as you know, was to push the Indian Removal Act through Congress.  When challenged in the courts by Samuel Worcester, Chief Justice John Marshall sided with the natives.  Jackson, upon hearing the verdict, basically refused to follow it.  What if Jackson had submitted to Marshall's authority?  What if Jackson pulled back the reins on removal at that point?  Would anything really have changed?

Andrew Jackson: A Man Of The People?

Andrew Jackson, after being humiliated by Clay and J.Q. Adams in the 1824 Election, vowed to exact his revenge on the two men.  And so he did.  By spreading unbelievable lies, even by today's standards, Jackson won the personality contest against Adams in 1828 (largely because Adams had no personality).  Four years later he defeated Henry Clay in the Election of 1832 completing his vow.  The difficult campaigning cost him his dear wife Rachel, a loss from which he never fully recovered.

During his eight years in office, Jackson faced three major crises/events: Indian Removal, the South Carolina Nullification Crisis and the Veto of the National Bank.  The political cartoon below addresses one of those issues.  Which one do you think it is?  Was the author of this cartoon, who to this day is unknown, a supporter or opponent of Jackson?  In your comments explain how you came to this decision by using the elements in the cartoon.

The Monroe Doctrine: Monroe Says "Halt!" To Europe

James Monroe's presidency is often referred to as the "Era of Good Feelings", mainly because he did not preside over any international militant conflicts.  Domestically, border disputes in Florida and other places led to even more skirmishes with the natives.  In fact, Andrew Jackson invaded Florida to fight the Seminoles basically without the approval or permission of the Federal Government.  But that's a whole other story...

The other striking aspect of James Monroe's two terms in office is what is referred to as the "Monroe Doctrine". Here is the key section of this speech given in December 1823:  North and South America "are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers."  Basically, Monroe (and John Q. Adams-his Secretary of State-who wrote the speech) were saying the Western Hemisphere was off limits to Europe from that point forward.  If anyone was going to control, colonize or tamper with Latin & South America, it would be US. (Get it? US? U.S.? Hahaha).  Also, to be fair, the Doctrine also claimed America would not mess with Europe or become involved in their issues.

The Doctrine was basically forgotten until Polk's administration in the 1840s when we went to war with Mexico/Spain.  European countries did leave this hemisphere alone, largely because the British Navy patrolled the ocean and not because America's army was imposing and powerful.

Take a look at these political cartoons below.  In the comment sections, describe how each cartoon demonstrates/illustrates the Monroe Doctrine.  Also, why do you think Monroe and his administration felt they had the right to declare an entire hemisphere "off limits" to the rest of the world?

The sign in the bottom-right corner says "Special Notice: All Guests Are Welcome But They Must Not Bring Their Guns."

Missouri Compromise: The Deal That Was Supposed To Solve Everything

Thanks to Jefferson's decision to side-step the Constitution and purchase the Louisiana Territory, America now had a brand new problem on her hands.  As more and more settlers flooded the territory west of the Mississippi River to create new states, how would the issue of slavery expansion be settled? Should each new state be allowed to decide on their own (a philosophy known as popular sovereignty), or should the federal government intervene and lay out a plan?

In 1820, the territory of Missouri applied for statehood.  If accepted, Missouri would be the 21st state in the Union (11 slave vs. 10 free).  The South was excited to have an representational advantage in Congress, but the North was balking at the prospect of being out-voted.  A compromise was reached and Missouri was added as a slave state and Maine was added as a free state in order to maintain balance.

The compromise was geographical.  Any new territory added to our map that was north of the 36 30' N line of latitude could not allow slavery.  Obviously, then, any new state below the line could allow slavery.  The images below illustrates this point.  Examine the maps.  In your comments discuss the following two points: Does anything strike you as odd in regards to the compromise and the location of Missouri? 2) What do you think of the Missouri Compromise?  Was popular sovereignty a better idea?

President's Day: Why Should We Care?

You know what is interesting?  The original intent of the framers of the Constitution was for the Legislative Branch (a.k.a. Congress) to be the most powerful part of the Federal Government.  Their reasoning was Congress is the only national body that is directly elected by the people.  Remember: the Electoral College technically elects the president and the president nominates Supreme Court judges who are then approved or denied by a Senate Committee.  The House of Representatives and the Senate are directly linked to the people of America.

As our country grew, however, the president assumed more and more power.  The trouble is, the power being assumed by the office was not always a part of their Constitutional job description.  When ambitious men like Jefferson and Jackson made decisions beyond the scope of the Constitution, the precedent was set that our president could basically do whatever he wanted as long as it was justifiable.

So as we take a day off school for President's Day, I ask myself: "Why do our presidents matter?"  In your comments this week I would like to see two things: 1) Answer the question "Why do our presidents matter?". 2) Search the internet for funny/interesting/random presidential trivia and post your favorite.  There will be three prizes awarded this week: First Post, Best Post and Best Presidential Fun Fact.

War of 1812: The Second War for Independence

Inexplicably, James Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war against Britain in the early months of 1812.  True, Americans were sick and tired of the mistreatment of our ships on the seas.  Yes, the War Hawks in Congress were pushing for a conflict.  Jefferson's Embargo Act (1807) had failed to punish England economically and the American economy suffered instead.  But still...war?!?!?!?!?!?!

America was woefully unprepared for another conflict with England.  Our Revolutionary Era generals were dead or dying.  Our navy was pitifully small...especially compared to Britain's.  We had basically no standing army since we had heavily relied on state militias in past conflicts.  Also, we were in no financial shape to enter into a war.  Besides all of that, it was incredibly foolish and arrogant to declare war against the strongest country in the world.

In spite of the evidence, Madison bowed to public pressure and sent America into another war with England. As discussed in class, America certainly did not win the war, but we did not really lose either.  It also was not really a tie.  As you can see, the outcome is complicated.

One of the early victories for the Americans was our frigate the Enterprise defeating the British warship the Boxer.  Examine the political cartoon below.  In your comments explain the imagery of this cartoon and what it was saying about this early victory for America.  The text of the cartoon will be listed below the cartoon.

King George III stands at left, his nose bleeding and eye blackened, saying, "Stop...Brother Jonathan, or I shall fall with the loss of blood -- I thought to have been too heavy for you -- But I must acknowledge your superior skill -- Two blows to my one! -- And so well directed too! Mercy, mercy on me, how does this happen!!!" On the right, his opponent James Madison says, "Ha-Ah Johnny! you thought yourself a "Boxer" did you! -- I'll let you know we are an "Enterprize"ing Nation. and ready to meet you with equal force any day."

Corps of Discovery

Jefferson sent a secret message to Congress in January 1803 requesting $2,500 to explore America's western territory.  The funny thing is: France, Spain and England were all privy to Jefferson's ambitions to purchase the Louisiana Territory.  Why, then, did Jefferson feel the need for secrecy in this matter?  Probably because purchasing land from a foreign country was not mentioned in the "Powers of the Executive Branch" portion of the Constitution.  Also, the Federalist Congressmen were not exactly Jefferson's biggest fans.

Anyway...the Corps of Discovery is the official name for the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  This excellent website contains intriguing insights from their trip.  This week you need to spend at least thirty minutes (at one time or throughout the week) perusing this site.  Explore the links, read the paragraphs and look at the pictures.  Once you've spent at least thirty minutes looking it over, comment on what you thought was the most interesting.  Be sure to include the # of words and how many minutes you spent on this site.