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?

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