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.