I will give a brief summary of the beginning of the Revolutionary war. As the Revolutionary war drew near, minute men, who were civilian soldiers that were able to get ready to fight in a minute’s notice pledged to fight the British. As they stockpiled on weapons and gunpowder discretely, this action provoked General Thomas Gage to send an army to seize the illegal weapons.
When the two armies met, the minutemen and the “red coats”, the minute men were ordered to lay down arms but continued to move out against the red coats. All of the sudden a gunshot was fired which provoked both sides to fire back to retaliate. This battle, the Battle of Lexington, would become the first battle of the civil war. The British would continue onto Concord which turned out to be empty. As they marched back to Boston the British soldiers were slaughtered by the dozens by a couple thousand minutemen. It was be a humiliating defeat that infuriated Britain.
In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress, who were the colonial leaders planned their next step of action. Many wanted a call for independence while others wanted reconciliation with Great Britain. In the end however, the Second Continental Congress would decide on naming renaming the militia and give them the title of the Continental Army with George Washington as their commander
The Battle of Bunker Hill was the next battle fought with both sides being eager to fight. The British would lose 1000 men while the colonists would lose only 450, becoming the deadliest battle of the war.
As the Second Continental Congress prepared the colonies for war they still were eager for peace. After the battle congress sent the king the Olive Branch Petition asking to return to “former harmony”.
In response the King rejected the petition and urged Parliament to order a naval blockade to isolate a line of ships for the American Coast. This blockade would only fuel the colonies spirit for war. Many more lives would be lost since the British rejected the peace proposal.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Age of Jackson
Andrew Jackson came into power in 1828. While in political power, Jackson gave common people a chance to participate in the government. He did this through the spoils system, where new administrations hire their own supporters to replace supporters of the previous administration. With the spoil system, Jackson handed a massive number of jobs to his friends and allies. In 1816, congress increased the Tariff. The South’s economy depended on cotton exports. The high tariffs on goods reduced British exports to the U.S. and British bought less goods, damaging the south economy. In 1832, Congress raised tariffs again which caused south Carolinians to threaten to secede from the Union. Jackson responded to the raise of Tariffs by urging Congress to pass the Force Bill to allow federal government to use the military if state authorities resisted paying proper duties. A civil war seemed likely but Henry Clay forged a compromise to lower the tariff bill.Jackson defended federal power in the nullification crisis, but decreased federal power when it came to the Second Bank of the United States. He believed that the bank was an agent of wealthy people and that it did not care for the common people. In 1832, Jackson won reelection and instantly tried to kill the bank by withdrawing all government deposits and placing them in state banks called “pet banks.” This action angered many and many accused him of acting more like a king than like a president.
President Andrew Jackson started with good intents by trying to rule in favor of the common people. However his methods were to some extent harsh, and limited the powers of other branches. This is why some people consider his rule to be the closest to that of a monarchy.
President Andrew Jackson started with good intents by trying to rule in favor of the common people. However his methods were to some extent harsh, and limited the powers of other branches. This is why some people consider his rule to be the closest to that of a monarchy.
War changes the Nation
Because the technology of the Civil war wasn’t so advance It was referred to as the last old fashion war, or also the first modern war. Many people tried to improve technology to help the war, but two deadliest technological improvements were the rifle and the minie ball, it was a soft lead bullet that was even more deadly then the earlier bullets they made. They were lots of weapons but the most lethal ones were hand grenades and land mines. Another tech was invented through this time also. It was the ironclad ship, which could splinter wooden ships by ramming them. But also the ironclad ship can withstand common fire and resist burning The Civil War increased power and authority for the federal government, when they passed laws that included income tax and conscription laws. These laws gave more control over individual citizens, and no state threatened succession again. The Civil War also widened the economic gap between the North and the South. The economy of northern states boomed, while southern states faced devastation when slavery ended, and when most of the region’s industry and farmland where ruined.
Emancipation proclamation feed only those slaves who lived in states that were behind Confederate lines. The government had to decide what to do about the border dates, where slavery still existed. The president believed that the only solution was to make an constitutional amendment destroying slavery. After time had passed by, the thirteenth amendment was ratified at the end of 1865. The Us Constitution now stated, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duty convicted, shall exist within the United States.”
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 at Ford's Theater in Washington. He was killed by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and a Southern sympathizer. After the assassination, John Wilkes Booth fled, and was caught and executed twelve days later. While Lincoln's body was carried from Washington to hometown of Springfield, Illinois, taking 14 days. Approximately, one third of the entire Union showed up to mourn the president. The Civil War and slavery were over, but now the country faced a few new problems. Like how to restore the Southern states into the Union, and how to integrate 4 million freed Africans into the U.S.
Written By Jesus Alonso and Inderpaul
Emancipation proclamation feed only those slaves who lived in states that were behind Confederate lines. The government had to decide what to do about the border dates, where slavery still existed. The president believed that the only solution was to make an constitutional amendment destroying slavery. After time had passed by, the thirteenth amendment was ratified at the end of 1865. The Us Constitution now stated, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duty convicted, shall exist within the United States.”
Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 at Ford's Theater in Washington. He was killed by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and a Southern sympathizer. After the assassination, John Wilkes Booth fled, and was caught and executed twelve days later. While Lincoln's body was carried from Washington to hometown of Springfield, Illinois, taking 14 days. Approximately, one third of the entire Union showed up to mourn the president. The Civil War and slavery were over, but now the country faced a few new problems. Like how to restore the Southern states into the Union, and how to integrate 4 million freed Africans into the U.S.
Written By Jesus Alonso and Inderpaul
The Revolutionary War Begins
After the First Continental Congress, the colonists began military preparations. They began stockpiling firearms and gunpowder. General Thomas Gage quickly learned of the stockpile and in the spring of 1775, ordered troops to march from Boston to Concord, Massachusetts and seize the weapons. On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread word that the British were marching on Concord.
The British troops made it to within a few miles short of Concord at Lexington on April 19 before being confronted with militiamen. The first battle of the war, the Battle of Lexington lasted 15 minutes, and 8 colonial soldiers (minutemen) were killed and ten more wounded but only one British soldier was injured. The British continued their march to Concord, where they found an empty arsenal. As they lined up to leave, they were fired upon by between 3,000 to 4,000 minutemen. The British soldiers were forced to retreat back to Boston, where they were held under siege by the colonists.
In May of 1775, colonial leaders called the Second Continental Congress and debated their next move - should they move for independence? Or should they attempt reconciliation? Despite the debate, they did recognize the colonial militia as the Continental Army and George Washington as its commander. Under siege by the militia, British general Thomas Gage set 2400 soldiers to attack militiamen on Breed's Hill, north of the city and near Bunker Hill and lost 1000 men in the battle, while the colonists only lost 450. The "Battle of Bunker Hill" would be the deadliest battle of the war.
The Second Continental Congress readied the colonists for war, but also attempted to make peace and sent the “Olive Branch Petition”. King George rejected the petition, announced the colonies were rebellion, blockaded the colonies off the coast, and raised taxes. This angered the colonists, and many of them began to resist in earnest. They were going to war.
--Sheng-Han
The British troops made it to within a few miles short of Concord at Lexington on April 19 before being confronted with militiamen. The first battle of the war, the Battle of Lexington lasted 15 minutes, and 8 colonial soldiers (minutemen) were killed and ten more wounded but only one British soldier was injured. The British continued their march to Concord, where they found an empty arsenal. As they lined up to leave, they were fired upon by between 3,000 to 4,000 minutemen. The British soldiers were forced to retreat back to Boston, where they were held under siege by the colonists.
In May of 1775, colonial leaders called the Second Continental Congress and debated their next move - should they move for independence? Or should they attempt reconciliation? Despite the debate, they did recognize the colonial militia as the Continental Army and George Washington as its commander. Under siege by the militia, British general Thomas Gage set 2400 soldiers to attack militiamen on Breed's Hill, north of the city and near Bunker Hill and lost 1000 men in the battle, while the colonists only lost 450. The "Battle of Bunker Hill" would be the deadliest battle of the war.
The Second Continental Congress readied the colonists for war, but also attempted to make peace and sent the “Olive Branch Petition”. King George rejected the petition, announced the colonies were rebellion, blockaded the colonies off the coast, and raised taxes. This angered the colonists, and many of them began to resist in earnest. They were going to war.
--Sheng-Han
Struggle for Suffrage
More than 2 million people in the United States voted in the 2008 election. Too many of those people take voting for granted; only a few understand the struggle for the right to vote.
The fight for voting rights began way back in 1776 when the American Colonists declared their independence from Great Britain. At this time state constitutions establishing voting rights for certain citizens were being drafted. The Articles of Confederation were not much more inclusive than the previous rights. The constitution that we still use in our government today, drafted in 1788, would need to be amended overtime until it extended rights to all citizens. By 1789 male taxpayers who owned property were the only ones allowed to vote.
The fifteenth Amendment gave African American males the right to vote, but the majority could not because of voting taxes and literacy tests. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment put an end to voting taxes in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act abolished the taxes in 1965. The Nineteenth Amendment granted women, whose votes were not taken into account, voting rights in 1920. Native Americans gained citizenship and the right to vote in 1924. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment in 1971 signifies the most recent amendment to voting rights; it allows citizens who are 18 years or older the right to vote.
It is safe to say that our constitution has come a long way in terms of acceptance and in areas to which suffrage has been extended.
-Andrew, Melissa
The fight for voting rights began way back in 1776 when the American Colonists declared their independence from Great Britain. At this time state constitutions establishing voting rights for certain citizens were being drafted. The Articles of Confederation were not much more inclusive than the previous rights. The constitution that we still use in our government today, drafted in 1788, would need to be amended overtime until it extended rights to all citizens. By 1789 male taxpayers who owned property were the only ones allowed to vote.
The fifteenth Amendment gave African American males the right to vote, but the majority could not because of voting taxes and literacy tests. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment put an end to voting taxes in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act abolished the taxes in 1965. The Nineteenth Amendment granted women, whose votes were not taken into account, voting rights in 1920. Native Americans gained citizenship and the right to vote in 1924. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment in 1971 signifies the most recent amendment to voting rights; it allows citizens who are 18 years or older the right to vote.
It is safe to say that our constitution has come a long way in terms of acceptance and in areas to which suffrage has been extended.
-Andrew, Melissa
the history of voting in america
As America was forming its representative government many decisions had to be made, including who was aloud to vote. In the beginning not many people were aloud to vote. For the most part women, and men under 21 could not vote. So, white men were the majority of the voters.
In 1870 the 15th amendment was passed, giving African Americans the right to vote. However they were often kept from voting by poll taxes, and literacy test, which were later abolished. In 1920 the 19th amendment was made law, giving women the right to vote. Four years later Native Americans were given citizenship, which included the right to vote. In 1971 the 26th amendment was passed, giving citizens eighteen and older the right to vote. The issue of young people getting to vote came up during he Vietnam War. People argued that if at eighteen you could be sent off to fight in the war they should be allowed to vote.
In 1870 the 15th amendment was passed, giving African Americans the right to vote. However they were often kept from voting by poll taxes, and literacy test, which were later abolished. In 1920 the 19th amendment was made law, giving women the right to vote. Four years later Native Americans were given citizenship, which included the right to vote. In 1971 the 26th amendment was passed, giving citizens eighteen and older the right to vote. The issue of young people getting to vote came up during he Vietnam War. People argued that if at eighteen you could be sent off to fight in the war they should be allowed to vote.
War Sweeps the Nation
The Civil War was as devastating as it was transformational. 260,000 Confederate soldiers and 360,000 Union soldiers died during the war. Apart from taking the lives of so many Americans, the war cost $3.3 billion as a total of the expenditures of both sides. The war augmented the gulf between the North and South: while the industrial-based economy of the North flourished during and after the war, the agriculture-based economy of the South collapsed. This collapse in the South was partly due to the abolition of slavery, since Southern plantations depended on slave labor to produce cotton and other raw materials. In addition, Southern industry and farmland were damaged more heavily. Inflation in the South shot up to a staggering 7000%.
During the Civil War, several technological developments in weaponry made the war more deadly. The rifle was introduced, along with improved lead bullets, and improved landmines and grenades. The introduction of the ironclad ship was most significant. Ironclad ships were cannon resistant, fire resistant, and could ram wooden ships with their stronger hulls. They made wooden ships obsolete.
Politics changed a great deal during the war. The federal government gained power, passing income tax and conscription laws to provide the money and manpower to fuel the war. This increase in power during the war lasted, and gave the government permanently more control over citizens.
Perhaps the most significant and well-known result of the Civil War were the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, which guaranteed colored people freedom from slavery, constitutional rights, and suffrage. Even though these were abridged to some extent by segregation and Jim Crow laws, they were the first and biggest steps towards equality.
Written by Vivek and Andrew
During the Civil War, several technological developments in weaponry made the war more deadly. The rifle was introduced, along with improved lead bullets, and improved landmines and grenades. The introduction of the ironclad ship was most significant. Ironclad ships were cannon resistant, fire resistant, and could ram wooden ships with their stronger hulls. They made wooden ships obsolete.
Politics changed a great deal during the war. The federal government gained power, passing income tax and conscription laws to provide the money and manpower to fuel the war. This increase in power during the war lasted, and gave the government permanently more control over citizens.
Perhaps the most significant and well-known result of the Civil War were the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, which guaranteed colored people freedom from slavery, constitutional rights, and suffrage. Even though these were abridged to some extent by segregation and Jim Crow laws, they were the first and biggest steps towards equality.
Written by Vivek and Andrew
Women and Political Power
Through the history of America many women have worked for justice and equal rights for all citizens.
In the 1770s American women protested Britain in many different ways. Women that stayed at home boycotted tea and they also boycotted British clothes by making their own clothes. Some business women took more active roles in protesting. Mary Goddard was a printer and she issued the first copy of the Declaration of Independence with the signatures.
In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Stanton launched the first women’s suffrage movement. Stanton introduced her Declaration of Sentiments at the Seneca Falls Convention. In 1920, the 19th amendment was adopted by the United States. It gave women the fight to vote.
Throughout the mid 1900s more women entered the work force. They wanted equal pay for equal work. Women hoped the Equal Rights Amendment would pass and that it would give women equal social and economical rights as men. The ERA failed to pass.
In 2001 there are many women filling political positions. In the 107th congress 60 women served in the house and 13 women served in the senate. Women in America have taken many steps to achieving equal social, economical and political rights as men.
In the 1770s American women protested Britain in many different ways. Women that stayed at home boycotted tea and they also boycotted British clothes by making their own clothes. Some business women took more active roles in protesting. Mary Goddard was a printer and she issued the first copy of the Declaration of Independence with the signatures.
In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Stanton launched the first women’s suffrage movement. Stanton introduced her Declaration of Sentiments at the Seneca Falls Convention. In 1920, the 19th amendment was adopted by the United States. It gave women the fight to vote.
Throughout the mid 1900s more women entered the work force. They wanted equal pay for equal work. Women hoped the Equal Rights Amendment would pass and that it would give women equal social and economical rights as men. The ERA failed to pass.
In 2001 there are many women filling political positions. In the 107th congress 60 women served in the house and 13 women served in the senate. Women in America have taken many steps to achieving equal social, economical and political rights as men.
Women Rights
Women Rights:
In the U.S. women have always played roles that would better their families or the country. Through out the years women have also fought to expand their own power in the political spectrum and work area.
In the 1770’s is where women really started to protest for rights. American women found ways to protest against the British. I.e. not buying British made clothing, making their own, and boycotted tea. Some women like, Mary Goodard a printer who used the newspaper to share thoughts, took more active roles.
As America grew so did women’s knowledge of how unequal they actually were. In 1848 two women, Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott, had the first women suffrage movement in the United States. The Declaration of Sentiments was introduced which demanded greater rights for women. I.e. The right to vote.
In 1920 after the fight to vote women got their way! The nineteenth amendment was made that said women had the right to vote.
In the 1900’s women started to venture into the work force. While in the work area many women noticed their continuing unequal status. Women did the same amount of work and got paid less. By passing an equal rights amendment women hoped to obtain the same social and economic rights as men. The ERA failed this amendment.
In spite of the ERA failing many women have made it through by making a name for themselves even in congress. In the 107th congress 60 women served in the house.
Brooke L.
On the Verge of Civil War
Two days after President Buchanan took over the presidency, March 6th, 1857, the first slavery-related controversy arose. Dred Scott (to the left) was a slave that had been taken with his master outside the state, to live in free territory for a short period of time. Upon his return to Missouri, Scott thought that his stay in Illinois had made him a free man, and that his slavery days were over. He sued the federal court for his freedom in 1854.
Thirteen years later, Chief Justice Taney had only found two reasons, but still ruled that Scott was still a slave. This sparked many controversies, but first let’s investigate the reason for this ruling. Firstly, Scott was a slave, and therefore not a US Citizen, which meant he actually had no right to sue the US court. Secondly, though, Chief Justice Taney (to the right) also stated that since slaves are property, it was unlawful to be deprived of property.
Other Justices disagreed, but it didn’t matter. Taney’s opinion would result in much higher tension between African Americans and slave owners. It set a precedent that many Northerners disagreed with, and would eventually lead to Civil War. This case intensified the slavery debate, more so than any other event, and Taney’s ruling became more then just a decision, it became a political act. His decision annulled all compromises about slavery issues, and put into question the authority of the Court.
Five years after the decision, Civil War broke out, and in 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery and essentially cancelled the Dred Scott decision.
Strides in Voting Rights (1789-1971) By: Diane Jung
Since the Articles of Confederation did not include voting rights, state laws were followed. However, state laws prevented certain people from voting. The Constitution eventually replaced the Articles of Confederation, but they still did not extend voting rights to many groups of people.
(1789) Laws in certain states, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, Georgia, and Vermont, allowed male taxpayers to vote. Some states allowed very few women to vote, and some free African Americans were allowed to vote. A qualification of voting was that males had to be 21 years of age.
(1870) Voting was officially extended to African American males through the 15th Amendment, which states, "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Poll taxes and literacy tests were activated, preventing African Americans from freely voting until 1965.
(1920) Women and Native Americans were granted the right to vote in the 1920s through the 19th Amendment. Women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton pushed the cause through events such as woman suffrage parades. In 1924, citizenship and voting rights were also granted to Native Americans
(1971) The issue of young people's right to vote arose during the Vietnam War, because of the controversy of drafting 18-year-olds who could not vote. The 26th Amendment allowed all citizens over the age of 18 to vote.
(1789) Laws in certain states, Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina, Georgia, and Vermont, allowed male taxpayers to vote. Some states allowed very few women to vote, and some free African Americans were allowed to vote. A qualification of voting was that males had to be 21 years of age.
(1870) Voting was officially extended to African American males through the 15th Amendment, which states, "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Poll taxes and literacy tests were activated, preventing African Americans from freely voting until 1965.
(1920) Women and Native Americans were granted the right to vote in the 1920s through the 19th Amendment. Women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton pushed the cause through events such as woman suffrage parades. In 1924, citizenship and voting rights were also granted to Native Americans
(1971) The issue of young people's right to vote arose during the Vietnam War, because of the controversy of drafting 18-year-olds who could not vote. The 26th Amendment allowed all citizens over the age of 18 to vote.
The Civil War Changes the Nation
The Civil War was instrumental in many significant changes in our nation. These political, economic, technological and social changes were both beneficial and harmful to the United States. The war also resulted in approximately 620,000 total deaths for both the Union and Confederates.
During the Civil War, the federal government had gained a lot of power over individual citizens in the United States. Because the government enforced its power so thoroughly during the war in the form of new laws and taxes, after the War, the states didn’t dare challenge the authority of the federal government with threats of secession again.
Although the war benefited the government, it caused a large economic gap between the U.S.’s North and South regions. In the North, the economy flourished from the trade and factory industry, but the economic situation of the South was much different. Because it had lost so much of its industry and farmland when the slave system was abolished, the South suffered gravely.
There were dramatic changes in technology during the Civil War. The Civil War was called the last old-fashioned war because most of these technological changes came in the form of warfare. New models of the rifle and bullets made war more deadly, and the hand grenade and land mine became more lethal.
Along with changes in warfare, the war changed the lives of many Americans, most of all, the lives of African Americans. Towards the end of 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified and stated that neither or slavery or involuntary servitude shall exist in the United States.
The Civil War made huge changes to the United States. These changes have made the nation stronger, but have also caused new dividing forces to emerge.
During the Civil War, the federal government had gained a lot of power over individual citizens in the United States. Because the government enforced its power so thoroughly during the war in the form of new laws and taxes, after the War, the states didn’t dare challenge the authority of the federal government with threats of secession again.
Although the war benefited the government, it caused a large economic gap between the U.S.’s North and South regions. In the North, the economy flourished from the trade and factory industry, but the economic situation of the South was much different. Because it had lost so much of its industry and farmland when the slave system was abolished, the South suffered gravely.
There were dramatic changes in technology during the Civil War. The Civil War was called the last old-fashioned war because most of these technological changes came in the form of warfare. New models of the rifle and bullets made war more deadly, and the hand grenade and land mine became more lethal.
Along with changes in warfare, the war changed the lives of many Americans, most of all, the lives of African Americans. Towards the end of 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified and stated that neither or slavery or involuntary servitude shall exist in the United States.
The Civil War made huge changes to the United States. These changes have made the nation stronger, but have also caused new dividing forces to emerge.
Starting the Revolution
Anxiety ran through America as the first steps of the Revolution approached. Soon after the First Continenta
l Congress, the colonists began to make military preparations while British General Thomas Gage took his troops to seize the illegal weapons the colonists were using in Concord, MA. In 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to warn that the British were approaching Concord.
l Congress, the colonists began to make military preparations while British General Thomas Gage took his troops to seize the illegal weapons the colonists were using in Concord, MA. In 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to warn that the British were approaching Concord. The British made it to Lexington, only a few miles short of Concord and the first battle of the Revolution began. The Battle of Lexington lasted fifteen minutes and eight colonists were killed while only one British soldier was injured. The British then continued on to Concord. When they reached Concord, they found it empty and as they lined up to leave, 3,000-4,000 minutemen, or civilian soldiers, fired on the troops. The British fled back to Boston to plan their next move.
At this point, the second Continental Congress met to debate their next move. There was a lot of arguing 
over whether to gain independence or reconcile with England. The votes were counted and the Continental Army was created, led by Commander George Washington. On the British side, General Gage decided to strike near Bunker Hill and sent 2,400 soldiers to Breed’s Hill. The Colonists were waiting for them and held fire until the last minute when they killed over 1,000 British. This was the deadliest battle and the colonist’s first sign of victory.
Now as the colonists readied for war, the Continental Congress sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III to see if he would accept peace and leave the colonies alone. He rejected this offer and blockaded the colonies off the coast. Taxes were raised and no ships could enter the colonist ports. This heightened the colonist’s want for independence and they all began to resist.
Posted: 9.3.2009
Written By: Kellie
Super Women
Women have walked a long way to gain equal rights as men. For a long time in history, women had been considered as inferior to men. They had less rights, and less opportunity in the political world. However, women have been supporting the nation from the shadow through out history. Early from the fight for independents, women were involved in politic; they boycott British tea and clothing by making everything on their own, and helped to issue the Declaration of independence. As women became more involved with politics, they became aware of the inequality between women and men. In 1848, Elizabeth has lead the first movement to fight for women rights and suffrage. Through struggles that lasted half a century, women were finally granted with the rights to vote with the ratification of the nineteenth amendments in 1920. Although women gained the rights to vote, their social statues and wages they receive are still inferior to men. One again, women tried to obtain equality through Equal Rights Amendment. Due to the unwanted changes that the amendment may lead to, the amendment was not ratified. Even though, women are stepping closer to equality and playing irreplaceable roles in politics.
by Katherine
by Katherine
Business Moguls in America
Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were two major American business leaders during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They both contributed significantly to the economy, government, and culture of the United States.
Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland to very poor parents. His family came to America in 1848, when he was 12 years old. Over six years, he worked his way up to a position as the private secretary to a local superintendant of the Pennsylvania railroad. One day, he single-handedly relayed messages that unsnarled a tangle of freight and passenger trains. His boss rewarded him with the opportunity to purchase stock in the company. His mother mortgaged their home to make the purchase possible, and Carnegie soon received his first dividend.
He went on to become one of the largest business leaders in America. He entered the steel business, and revolutionized management with his new practices, such as precisely controlling accounting and encouraging inter-company competition. He also used the idea of vertical integration, which is the practice of buying every single part of his business. He purchased coal fields, iron mines, ore freighters, and railroad lines, all essential parts of the steel business. He also engaged in horizontal integration, which is purchasing other steel producers to reduce competition. Because of his shrewd business strategies, by the time he sold his business in 1901, it produced the vast majority of the steel in America.
During the late 1800's, when industrialists pursued monopoly, they often bought out the stocks of their competitors. John D. Rockefeller, however, took a different approach to mergers. He joined with competing companies in trust agreements. The participants then turned their stock over to trustees. In the end, the companies were entitled to dividends on profits earned by trust. Rockefeller used this strategy to gain total control of of the oil industry in America.
Rockefeller earned massive profit by paying his employees very low wages and driving competition out of business by cutting the price of his oil to less than it cost to produce it. Once he dominated the market, he raised the price far above original levels. While some saw him as a robber baron, he gave away more than $500 million and established the Rockefeller Foundation, which provided funding for the founding of the University of Chicago and created a medical institute devoted to finding a cure for yellow fever. Andrew Carnegie also donated about 90 percent of the wealth he accumulated during his lifetime. His donations still support the arts and learning today.
"It will be a great mistake for the community to shoot the millionaires, for they are the bees that make the most honey, and contribute the most to the hive even after they have gorged themselves full." - Andrew Carnegie
Written by:
Derek and Aston
The Civil War Changes The Nation
With the end of the Civil War came great changes to the United States politically, economically, technologically, and socially.
As a result of a state attempting to secede, the victors of the war, the Union, decided to tighten their grip over citizens. The government did this by passing conscription laws and including income tax, discouraging revolt.
The war also created a giant riff between the North and the South. As a result of slaves being freed in the defeated confederate states, the South's labor force was effectively eliminated. The loss of these laborers resulted in the South's economy to go steeply downhill. The North, in the meantime, experienced an economic boom, as their lands had not been scarred as thoroughly as the South's.
During the Civil War, opposing sides invented new ways to fight. As a result of this, old methods of fighting became obsolete. For instance, the musket was replaced by the rifle and minie ball while hand grenades and land mines became essential in covered warfare. Formidable ironclad ships replaced the wooden ships of old as well.
Although the majority of slavery was no longer present in the South, there were still some groups of slaves still present. In the end, the president believe the best way to end slavery countrywide was to make a constitutional amendment. In 1865 the 13th Amendment was ratified ceasing all involuntary servitude except for punishment for a crime.
Written by Andy and Jonathan
The war also created a giant riff between the North and the South. As a result of slaves being freed in the defeated confederate states, the South's labor force was effectively eliminated. The loss of these laborers resulted in the South's economy to go steeply downhill. The North, in the meantime, experienced an economic boom, as their lands had not been scarred as thoroughly as the South's.
During the Civil War, opposing sides invented new ways to fight. As a result of this, old methods of fighting became obsolete. For instance, the musket was replaced by the rifle and minie ball while hand grenades and land mines became essential in covered warfare. Formidable ironclad ships replaced the wooden ships of old as well.
Although the majority of slavery was no longer present in the South, there were still some groups of slaves still present. In the end, the president believe the best way to end slavery countrywide was to make a constitutional amendment. In 1865 the 13th Amendment was ratified ceasing all involuntary servitude except for punishment for a crime.
Written by Andy and Jonathan
Voting Rights
In 1788 only certain citizens had the right to vote in America. The constitution did not grant suffrage to most African Americans or women at this time. In the year 1789, to vote you had to be a white male at least twenty one years old. This excluded such a large percentage of people, that over time suffrage was granted to other groups. Soon, by the 1870’s African Americans were given the right to vote through the fifteenth amendment. This amendment stated that you could not deny someone the right to vote because of race, color, or having been a slave. Even though they could no longer deny giving African Americans the right to vote, they did make it more difficult. Many couldn’t vote because of the poll tax, which also discouraged poor white people from voting as well. They were also given a literacy test, which was suspended along with the poll tax in 1965.
In 1920 the nineteenth amendment was ratified and women were given the right to vote. Not long after, this right was given to Native Americans along with Citizenship. Much later, in 1971, voting rights were permitted to all citizens eighteen years or older. The twenty sixth amendment allowing this had been ratified, after many people questioned sending 18 year old men to fight in wars but not allowing them to vote. In conclusion, though it took quite a long time, now all citizens 18 or older in American have the right to vote in elections.
In 1920 the nineteenth amendment was ratified and women were given the right to vote. Not long after, this right was given to Native Americans along with Citizenship. Much later, in 1971, voting rights were permitted to all citizens eighteen years or older. The twenty sixth amendment allowing this had been ratified, after many people questioned sending 18 year old men to fight in wars but not allowing them to vote. In conclusion, though it took quite a long time, now all citizens 18 or older in American have the right to vote in elections.
The Leap to Woman's Equality
"The first woman was created from the rib of a man. She was not made from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal to him." Man and woman are treated as equals, however, they were not always treated as equals. In the 1770's this began to change.
During the American Revolution many protests took place, such as boycotting tea and British imports. Along side men, women also played an important role in these protests. For example, women would spin their own thread to avoid using British thread.
In 1848, women began to realize the inequality in their societies, such as the lack of suffrage. Two women took charge, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. They started a woman suffrage movement. They demanded greater rights to vote as well.
In the 1920's, women finally won the right to vote, as stated in the 19th Amendment. This was achieved from of the Declaration of Sentiments and the hard struggle of women.
Between 1972 and 1982, when women started to get jobs, they realized that there was still inequality between the sexes. So, they passed the Equal Rights Amendment. However, it failed to get ratification for the Constitution due to the fear of change.
In 2001, women finally entered politics with strong positions. This included 60 women in the House and 13 women in Senate in the 107th Congress.
Although the struggle was hard, women succeed in a giant leap toward equality.
Written by Alice W and Sneha B
Womens Rights
In American history women have played a great role in are society and in this reading i am going to put on the spotlight how women consider there selves as unequal back in history. As you look back into a part of Americans history they were not treated as equals because of there sex. Back around the 1770s the woman's had the rights of like a 16 year boy or girl. They could not have there face in the political scene at all, voting they could never do in till 1920. Once the woman got there rights to vote it showed them that they could have more. So in 1972 they made up a group called the Equal Rights Amendment Movement, this group were supported by women that felt unfairly treated. As they entered the work force women put the spot light on that the men were getting paid greater amounts of money than the woman were. This movement was shot down my the ERA if which they said that it was unfit for the Constitution. But as you look at the country today woman have beene known as very equal people they can do anything a man can do, they earn just as much as any body. And there face are all over congress.
Change in Voting Laws over the Course of American History
This summery will be about the way voting has changed and evolved throughout American history.
It starts after the revolutionary war, ever since independence from Britain was gained in 1776 the governments struggle to create a representative government was made by only allowing certain citizens to vote. Since the articles of the confederation didn’t mention voting rights, they were left over to the state to create voting laws. It was this way until 1788 when the constitution replaced the articles of confederation, in 1789 only white males, who were taxpayers could mostly vote, they also had to be over the age of 21. Women and non-white races could not vote.
Later, in 1870 post civil war the 15th amendment of the constitution tried to give African American men the privilege to vote. This however failed because of poll taxes and literacy tests, that went against the African Americans, because many did not have the money to pay the poll taxes, and the African American’s had a high illiteracy rate at that time. African Americans were also feared by group like the Ku Klux Klan, and white supremacists, that the African Americans would be harmed if they tried to vote. These poll taxes were banned by the 24 amendment of the constitution, which was passed n 1964. By this time intolerance for blacks had also become less of a treat so more African Americans were allowed to vote for real. The literacy test was also taken away one year later in 1965, with the voting rights of 1965.
After much protest and debate women were given the right to vote in 1920, by means of the 9th amendment. For years later (1924) the vote was also extended to Native Americans, which were also given the right to gain citizenship. These two feats were big steps in America for gender equality, and racial tolerance. The voting age was lowered in 1971 with the 26th amendment giving the right to all citizens 18 years of age and older to vote. The main reason why it was lowed is because the Vietnam War caused speculation on voting age when men could be drafted at 18 years of age, but not vote.
Over the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries voting has changed a lot, and all for the better, making our nation a more equal and free nation. Nowadays the only voting restrictions are that you need to be 18 and over, and a U.S.
Life During the Civil War
Life changed for everyone during the Civil War. Life changed for those on the battlefield as well as the women and children at home. Women did not fight, but were a vital part of the war. Thousands of women were nurses to the wounded soldiers. Sarah Barton; the founder of the Red Cross was a former Civil War nurse. The war had a lot of deaths and even more injuries, so the women had a huge role in it.
The economies back home changed a great deal as well. The North experienced economic prosperity, but the South was not so lucky. Companies manufacturing wool and steel benefited from the war because of the army’s need for supplies. Although the Northern economy grew it wasn’t all peaches and cream. Prices rose, but wages did not keep up. White workers demanded higher wages, but free blacks, immigrants, and women were more than willing to work for low wages. To pay for the war, congress issued the first income tax.
Life changed more drastically for the soldiers. The death toll was higher than that of any American war to this day. This is partly due to the fact that there were more advances in weaponry than medicine. The camps were unsanitary, and disease was common. The southern camps lacked basic resources such as food. War prisons were even worse. They were not heated and many of the war prisoners got sick and died.
The economies back home changed a great deal as well. The North experienced economic prosperity, but the South was not so lucky. Companies manufacturing wool and steel benefited from the war because of the army’s need for supplies. Although the Northern economy grew it wasn’t all peaches and cream. Prices rose, but wages did not keep up. White workers demanded higher wages, but free blacks, immigrants, and women were more than willing to work for low wages. To pay for the war, congress issued the first income tax.
Life changed more drastically for the soldiers. The death toll was higher than that of any American war to this day. This is partly due to the fact that there were more advances in weaponry than medicine. The camps were unsanitary, and disease was common. The southern camps lacked basic resources such as food. War prisons were even worse. They were not heated and many of the war prisoners got sick and died.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A New United States
When you look back at the history of our nation, many events pop out that changed us for better or worse. Independence, slavery, and civil rights all helped contribute to what our country is today. However, the most important event was the Civil War, which pitted brothers against brothers, fathers against sons. The price of this war? Casualties on the Confederate side totaled to about 260,000, while the Union side lost over 360,000. Just these two combined accounted for nearly all the deaths in all other American wars combined.
One large political change after the Civil War was the increase in the federal government's power and authority. Before the war, laws that were passed by the federal government gave them more control over individuals, but after the war, no state ever threatened leaving the Union again. Also, because of the war, the Northern economies flourished while the Southern economies (mostly plantations run by slaves) suffered.
The most revolutionary change brought on by the Civil War was not economic or technological. Instead, it was the freedom for African Americans. On September 22nd 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. The second order named the confederate states that it would apply to. This led to the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, which stated “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.” With this amendment, slavery was abolished in the United States and over 4 million African American slaves were now free.
Extending Suffrage
When the United States first gained independence from Britain, it was supposedly a democracy. However, originally voting rights were limited to only a small portion of the population. For the most part, only white males who owned property were allowed to vote, although a few states allowed free African Americans to vote. It wasn’t until the Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 that all black people were granted suffrage. Despite officially being allowed to vote, many African Americans were prevented from voting by poll taxes and literacy tests. The literacy tests required a person to prove that they were literate before they could vote. The system was very biased, and black people were often asked much harder questions than white people. Poll taxes and literacy tests were banned in 1964 and 1965 respectively.
Fifty years later, women gained the right to vote through the 19th Amendment. In 1924, four years after women were granted voting rights, Native Americans were given citizenship, which came with the right to vote.
Up until 1971, the minimum voting age was 21. However, during the Vietnam War (1960’s), people started questioning whether it was fair that 18-year-olds can be forced to go to war but didn’t have the right to vote. The 26th Amendment lowered the legal voting age to 18.
The system that has been developed over the years remains to this day.
Written by Erin
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Welcome to the BLOG for U.S. History (E) 2009-10
Greetings to all!
Students in U.S. History will be creating POSTINGS to their class blog on various topics in American History. They will be evaluated on the basis of their completeness, focus, and length. Students are encouraged to include illustrations in their postings. These illustrations may include photographs, maps, graphs, and/or political cartoons.
Enjoy!
Students in U.S. History will be creating POSTINGS to their class blog on various topics in American History. They will be evaluated on the basis of their completeness, focus, and length. Students are encouraged to include illustrations in their postings. These illustrations may include photographs, maps, graphs, and/or political cartoons.
Enjoy!
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