Need help with American History.
1. Explain how conflicts and rivalries among European nations both helped and hindered the American struggle for independence.
2. Compare and contrast the British and the American conduct of the war. How did each side propose to “win,” how realistic was its assessment of the situation, and how did this prewar assessment influence the ultimate outcome of the war?
3. Take into consideration the “Where Historians Disagree” areas of your test. Review the descriptions of the various schools of historical interpretation and describe which one you agree with and why.
4. Examine the relative successes and failures of the Articles of Confederation. Do you think that this government was capable of providing the stability that the new nation needed? Why or why not?
5 How did Revolutionary ideology challenge the way minorities were treated in America? What changes in this treatment resulted from this challenge, and why did some minorities find their circumstances improved while others did not?
6 Explain how the political ideology that was the foundation of the American Revolution influenced the writing of state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation
7 Explain Hamilton’s motives for proposing his plans for taxation, assumption, and currency regulation. What was it in his motives that so upset Jefferson and Madison?
8 The Bill of Rights is generally recognized as protecting the citizens of the US from their government; but what safeguards are contained in the Constitution to protect the states from violations of their rights? What additional safeguards were proposed by Jefferson and Madison in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, and what were the implications of these resolutions with regard to the growth of the central government?
9 Compare and contrast the political, economic, and social philosophies of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Explain the sort of nation each wished to create.
10 During the period of Hamilton and Jefferson, two opposing political parties arose. Both had their roots in the era governed under the Articles, but unlike competing groups during that period, both factions claimed to support the Constitution. If both felt that the Constitution created the best form of government, what was the basis for their disagreement? Compare and contrast the two parties—their goals, methods, and philosophies.
11 During the “Federalist era,” events in other countries did much to shape political-party growth and domestic policy. Look at American relations with England, Spain and France; analyze these relations affected the two political parties that emerged during this period; and explain the way the government responded to this foreign influence on the parties.
12 Why was education “central to the Republican vision of America”?
13 What effect did Republican ideology have on education in the US during Jeffersonian times?
14 Explain the “cultural independence” that Jeffersonian Americans sought. What means of expression did this “independence” find?
15 What were the obstacles faced by Americans who aspired to create a more elevated national literary life during Jefferson’s presidency? What efforts were made to overcome these obstacles?
16 Examine the development of the system of railroads and canals during Jackson’s time. What geographical factors contributed to this? What sections did this transportation system link together, and what effect did this have on the economy of each? How might this transportation network have influenced political alliances?
18 It has been said that the most conspicuous changes in American life in the 1840s and 1850s took place in the Northeast. What were these changes, and what impact did they have on the northwestern section of the nation?
19 What effect did the economic changes of the Civil War era have on the American family and especially on the lives of American women in the Northeast? The Northwest?
20 What were the major technological inventions and innovations prior to the Civil War? How did they both unify and divide the nation?
How do you need help? All of the essay topics are well stated.
1. Conflicts and rivalries among European nations both helped and hindered the American struggle for independence in several ways. On one hand, the American colonists were able to take advantage of the ongoing conflicts, such as the Seven Years' War between Britain and France, to gain support from other European powers like France and Spain. These nations saw an opportunity to weaken Britain by supporting the American cause. French support, particularly military aid and naval power, played a crucial role in the American victory. On the other hand, the rivalries among European nations also complicated the American struggle. Britain, for example, had to divert resources and troops to other conflicts, which weakened their hold on the American colonies. Additionally, European nations had their own interests at play, and sometimes used the American struggle as a means to advance their own agendas, rather than solely supporting American independence.
To understand the impact of conflicts and rivalries among European nations on the American struggle for independence, you can examine primary sources like historical documents, letters, and treaties, as well as secondary sources like books and scholarly articles analyzing this period in history.
2. The British and American conduct of the war during the American Revolution differed in their objectives, strategies, and assessments of the situation. The British sought to maintain control over the American colonies and suppress the rebellion. They relied on their superior military power and the support of Loyalists within the colonies. The British aimed to win by defeating the American forces on the battlefield, capturing key cities, and disheartening the colonists.
On the other hand, the American colonists sought to achieve independence from British rule. They adopted a strategy of guerilla warfare, utilizing hit-and-run tactics and avoiding direct confrontations. The Americans aimed to win by wearing down British forces, maintaining popular support, and gaining international assistance.
Both sides had different assessments of the situation. The British initially believed that a show of force would quickly suppress the rebellion. They underestimated the determination and support for independence among the American colonists. The Americans, on the other hand, were realistic in recognizing their military disadvantage and focused on protracting the war and gaining international support.
To compare and contrast the British and American conduct of the war, you can study primary sources such as military reports, letters, and speeches from both sides. Secondary sources like historical books and articles can provide analysis and interpretation of the events.
3. To address the "Where Historians Disagree" areas of American history, you will need to review the various schools of historical interpretation. These schools include the Progressive School, the Conflict School, the Consensus School, and the New Left School. Each school provides different perspectives on historical events and highlights different factors and influences.
To determine which school of historical interpretation you agree with, you will need to examine the arguments and evidence presented by each school. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each interpretation and evaluate them based on your own understanding and analysis of the historical events. You can read books and articles from historians representing each school to gain a comprehensive understanding of their interpretations.
4. The Articles of Confederation, adopted as the first constitution of the United States, had both successes and failures in providing stability to the new nation. One of the main successes was the establishment of a framework for a central government and the recognition of the sovereignty of individual states. The Articles also played a significant role in securing foreign alliances and negotiating the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War.
However, the Articles of Confederation also had limitations that hindered the stability of the new nation. The central government had limited power and authority, lacking the ability to tax, regulate trade, or enforce its decisions. This weakened the government's ability to respond to economic and security concerns. The lack of a strong central authority led to difficulties in raising funds, maintaining a proper military, and enforcing laws.
Overall, the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate in providing the stability needed by the new nation. The weaknesses and failures of the Articles paved the way for the adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, which created a stronger central government.
To understand the relative successes and failures of the Articles of Confederation, you can study primary sources such as the text of the Articles and debates from the time, as well as secondary sources like historical books and articles analyzing this period.
5. Revolutionary ideology challenged the way minorities were treated in America by promoting the ideas of equality, natural rights, and liberty. These ideals posed a challenge to the existing social and legal systems that perpetuated discrimination and inequality. While the American Revolution did not immediately bring about full equality for all minorities, it planted the seeds for change and led to improvements for some groups.
Some minorities, such as African Americans and Native Americans, did not experience significant improvements in their circumstances after the revolution. Slavery continued to be practiced, and Native American land rights were further disregarded as the new nation expanded westward.
However, other minorities, such as women and religious dissenters, saw some advancements. The language of equality and liberty inspired women to question their social and legal status, leading to early feminist movements and increased opportunities for women's education. Religious dissenters, who had faced persecution in Europe, found greater religious freedom in America as the revolution challenged the authority of the established church.
To understand the impact of revolutionary ideology on the treatment of minorities in America, you can examine primary sources like speeches, pamphlets, and writings of significant figures during the revolutionary period. Secondary sources, including books and articles on the history of various minority groups, can provide further analysis and context.
Note: Due to the character limit, I will provide explanations for the remaining questions in subsequent responses.