Women have played small but critical roles in the history of our country, trying to make it a better place for all citizens. They have been fighting to expand their power over politics since the 1770s. This was the time during the protests before the revolution. Women wanted to find a way to protest as well, so they would boycott tea and clothing from Britain.
In 1848 the first woman’s suffrage movement began. Women were beginning to realize that their rights were lesser than the rights of men, and they wanted the right to vote. This movement took place at the Seneca Falls Convention, where two women by the name of Stanton and Moss demanded more rights for women In America.
They were finally granted their suffrage in 1920 through the 19th amendment. But their protest for equal rights did not stop there. As more women were going off to work, more were also noticing the unequal pay for equal labor. They tried to make an Equal Rights Amendment to gain the same rights as men economically as well as socially. This Amendment was never approved for the Constitution, because men and women alike both felt it would create an unwanted change in the country.
Even though the amendment failed to pass women have made great progress in politics. Today we have many women in congress, in the 107th congress there were 60 women in the house and 13 in the senate. Women’s political rights and their influence in politics has come a long way since the 1700’s.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mainfest Destiny
Manifest destiny was the belief that the United States was predestined to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican and Native American territory. Many Americans believed that this destiny was manifest, or obvious and inevitable.
Most Americans had practical reasons for moving west during the mid-1800s. Among them were the abundance of land, and personal economic problems in the East. Settlers and traders began to establish trails to the West, such as the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and Mormon Trail.
As America expanded westward, national boundaries were defined by agreements with other countries. Some of them were peaceful; others were not. Britain and the US would created the northern boundary of the United States at the 49th parallel in 1846 without much conflict. The boundary in the southwest with Mexico would not be established so peacefully.
The colony established in Texas by Mexican invitation would eventually come into conflict with Mexico's government after the initial cooperation. Mexico had abolished slavery; however, the American settlers who came brought slaves with them. The American settlers spoke English instead of Spanish. Tensions rose, and Mexico clamped down on the freedom of the settlers. Rebellions broke out. Determined to force Texas to obey Mexican law, the Mexican president marched his army towards San Antonio. The Texans won freedom from Mexico in the Treaty of Velasco, 1846.
As Texas moved toward annexation into the United States, the Mexican government took it badly, especially with the US siding with Texas with all territory disputes. When Mexico refused the attempt at negotiation for the southern border of Texas, the US provoked Mexico into attacking the US soldiers. War was officially declared. Mexico lost battle after battle, and was eventually was forced to concede New Mexico, and California in 1848. The Texas border was also redefined as the Rio Grande River.
Most Americans had practical reasons for moving west during the mid-1800s. Among them were the abundance of land, and personal economic problems in the East. Settlers and traders began to establish trails to the West, such as the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and Mormon Trail.
As America expanded westward, national boundaries were defined by agreements with other countries. Some of them were peaceful; others were not. Britain and the US would created the northern boundary of the United States at the 49th parallel in 1846 without much conflict. The boundary in the southwest with Mexico would not be established so peacefully.
The colony established in Texas by Mexican invitation would eventually come into conflict with Mexico's government after the initial cooperation. Mexico had abolished slavery; however, the American settlers who came brought slaves with them. The American settlers spoke English instead of Spanish. Tensions rose, and Mexico clamped down on the freedom of the settlers. Rebellions broke out. Determined to force Texas to obey Mexican law, the Mexican president marched his army towards San Antonio. The Texans won freedom from Mexico in the Treaty of Velasco, 1846.
As Texas moved toward annexation into the United States, the Mexican government took it badly, especially with the US siding with Texas with all territory disputes. When Mexico refused the attempt at negotiation for the southern border of Texas, the US provoked Mexico into attacking the US soldiers. War was officially declared. Mexico lost battle after battle, and was eventually was forced to concede New Mexico, and California in 1848. The Texas border was also redefined as the Rio Grande River.
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