The Jackson Turner thesis is Jackson's thoughts about the frontier the Americans created. Turner disagreed with the frontier they had placed there. While the Americans believed it gave them freedom Jackson felt as if it was a boundary that could not be passed rather than a boundary of freedom. Citizens saw this as freedom because they finally had their own land to make their own decisions on, which is freedom to them. Turner did not accept the frontier the Americans set, he fought against it.
The argument against Turner's states the general idea that the frontier land is overall extremely very useful for the people in America. Turner continually states that the land is only "free and useless" yet it is anything but that. That is untrue because people like the Natives searched for frontiers as they constantly got kicked off their lands and saw frontiers as hope and an offered up home. Mainly the argument is trying to show how that the frontier was more helpful than anything else.
In my opinion I think that Turner is wrong for thinking the frontier is a burden on America. The frontier's helped us to unite together as a country. The frontier allowed America to have the boundaries it needed to become its own nation. It was one of the first steps that they took to becoming a separate nation.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Fitzhugh vs. Douglass
In the decades leaving up to the civil war two men argued in the 1850's with opposing opinions about slavery. George Fitzhugh and Frederick Douglass tried to convince people each of their own opinions were correct. Douglass was against slavery while Fitzhugh was fighting for it.
Douglass is a former slave from the South, born in Maryland and strongly disagrees with slavery. He is an abolishinist as well. Douglass thinks it is wrong to have sympathry for the slaves and does not think people should ever consider, "what do we do", just do not do it. In his argument he says everyone should get a chance no matter who you are, "Give him a chance to stand on his own legs" (Douglass). He believed that everyone should get a chance to start even if everyone around them thinks they are destine to fail. Also, he argued that white africans should not be sent back to Africa and also that everyone should be free regardless of who they are. He believed that the killing of the black man Attuck Crispus was the start to freedom. Lastly, Douglass believed that it was wrong to force blacks to be forced to celebrate the fourth of July because although the American's were free they were not. By forcing them to celebrate freedom that does not apply to them it id just teasing them with something they cannot have.
George Fitzhugh is a former lawyer from Virginia and an author of two books and articles advocating slavery. He believes that blacks are inferior to the whites, "...the negro race is inferior to the white race, and living in their midst, they would be far outstripped or outwitted in the chaos of free competition" (George Fitzhugh). He beleived slaves are unprepared for the future and owners are providing?preventing them from struggling. He argued that the south would care for the slaves and they would freeze/starvein the North because no one would be caring for them. He also argued that the North had domestic violence and that the South had higher morals than the whites in the North. He said slavery protects, supports, civilizes the slaves. Fitzhugh also says Negros are protected by slave owners and if they have no freedom they no worries.
Although I do not agree with Fitzhugh's argument I would say that it is presented stronger than Douglass' argument. Fitzhugh is more specific and much more pursuasive than Douglass is throughout his argument. Fitzhugh states continuesly states examples of how the the negro race will be much happier and safer and have an overall better life if they stayed in the South. Yet, leaving out how they will have no freedom and instead stating, "The negro slaves of the South are the happiest, and, in some sense, the freest people in the world" (Fitzhugh). This statement is extremely powerful for his argument because he is saying that because the negroes have no freedom therefore they have no worries and if they go and compete in the free market with freedom and decision making it will create worries. This could make someone rethink their decision to go into the North and be free or stay in the South and be a slave.
Douglass' argument may be a bit weaker than Fitzhugh's but I agree with Douglass' argument in the long run. Douglass' argument has many strong points when he is arguing that slavery is wrong. He argues that negroes should get a chance to try new things and compete just as white people do, "...If the negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also." (Douglass) This is a strong point in his argument that I agree with, as he is saying everyone should get a chance to try, even if they fail. Also, that whites have the same chance to fail as blacks do, just as they have the same chance to succeed. Overall I agree with Douglass' argument even if it was slightly weaker than Fitzhugh's.
Fitzhugh and Douglass argued over different points about slavery in the 1850's, trying to convince people that each of their different opinions were correct. Douglass was overall correct I believe, even if Fitzhugh's argument may have gotten to the people in a clearer more pursuasive way.
Douglass is a former slave from the South, born in Maryland and strongly disagrees with slavery. He is an abolishinist as well. Douglass thinks it is wrong to have sympathry for the slaves and does not think people should ever consider, "what do we do", just do not do it. In his argument he says everyone should get a chance no matter who you are, "Give him a chance to stand on his own legs" (Douglass). He believed that everyone should get a chance to start even if everyone around them thinks they are destine to fail. Also, he argued that white africans should not be sent back to Africa and also that everyone should be free regardless of who they are. He believed that the killing of the black man Attuck Crispus was the start to freedom. Lastly, Douglass believed that it was wrong to force blacks to be forced to celebrate the fourth of July because although the American's were free they were not. By forcing them to celebrate freedom that does not apply to them it id just teasing them with something they cannot have.
George Fitzhugh is a former lawyer from Virginia and an author of two books and articles advocating slavery. He believes that blacks are inferior to the whites, "...the negro race is inferior to the white race, and living in their midst, they would be far outstripped or outwitted in the chaos of free competition" (George Fitzhugh). He beleived slaves are unprepared for the future and owners are providing?preventing them from struggling. He argued that the south would care for the slaves and they would freeze/starvein the North because no one would be caring for them. He also argued that the North had domestic violence and that the South had higher morals than the whites in the North. He said slavery protects, supports, civilizes the slaves. Fitzhugh also says Negros are protected by slave owners and if they have no freedom they no worries.
Although I do not agree with Fitzhugh's argument I would say that it is presented stronger than Douglass' argument. Fitzhugh is more specific and much more pursuasive than Douglass is throughout his argument. Fitzhugh states continuesly states examples of how the the negro race will be much happier and safer and have an overall better life if they stayed in the South. Yet, leaving out how they will have no freedom and instead stating, "The negro slaves of the South are the happiest, and, in some sense, the freest people in the world" (Fitzhugh). This statement is extremely powerful for his argument because he is saying that because the negroes have no freedom therefore they have no worries and if they go and compete in the free market with freedom and decision making it will create worries. This could make someone rethink their decision to go into the North and be free or stay in the South and be a slave.
Douglass' argument may be a bit weaker than Fitzhugh's but I agree with Douglass' argument in the long run. Douglass' argument has many strong points when he is arguing that slavery is wrong. He argues that negroes should get a chance to try new things and compete just as white people do, "...If the negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also." (Douglass) This is a strong point in his argument that I agree with, as he is saying everyone should get a chance to try, even if they fail. Also, that whites have the same chance to fail as blacks do, just as they have the same chance to succeed. Overall I agree with Douglass' argument even if it was slightly weaker than Fitzhugh's.
Fitzhugh and Douglass argued over different points about slavery in the 1850's, trying to convince people that each of their different opinions were correct. Douglass was overall correct I believe, even if Fitzhugh's argument may have gotten to the people in a clearer more pursuasive way.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Era of Good Feelings
Monroe was a talked up very much before he had taken office, many were extremely pleased when he had been elected after James Madison. He was known to have a "spotless reputation" and had also fought a great battle in Trenton. He had quickly become a very popular choice as a federalist newspaper sent out an article named "The Era of Good Feelings" referring to his time in office. Although they believed this was going to be true, the "good feelings" started to dwindle. In 1819 is when it first started during "The Panic of 1819" as the country started to go into depression, leaving agriculture and manufacturing in a slump. Also, regional differences came up as well, such as tariffs, banking policies, and slavery. Slavery began to divide the nation and the "good feelings" that were supposed to be cause by Monroe started to fade away because of him. Therefore Monroe's presidency was not an Era of Good Feeling after all.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Impact of Cotton Gin
The invention of the Cotton Gin impacted the ways of life and work for many southerners. Before 1793 when Eli Whitney had produced the first Cotton Gin, cotton had been quite the hassle to grow. The Cotton Gin had helped cotton become more popular than the cash crops had been throughout that time period. The Cotton Gin had positive and negative affects for many of the southerners lifestyles.
Cotton was a highly desired crop, but because of the labor intensive process it required this kept it from being cost efficient. If farmers wanted to grow cotton it took a very large amount of work and time to do this. Once Whitney's invention had been discovered it decreased the labor by 50 times without throwing anyone out of business. This then inceased cotton to become the most planted crop in the US. The first ten years of the Cotton Gin, cotton production sky rocketed up by 800%. The new moto in the south had then become "Cotton is King". Cotton had become the most popular, planted crop in the United States.
The South isn't the only place in the country that had benefited from the Cotton Gin: "Southerners were not the only ones benefiting from the cotton boom. Eighty percent of the south’s cotton went to England by way of northern shippers. These shippers were able to buy cotton wholesale and sell it at a premium, since England’s most important manufactured good was cotton cloth. One-fifth of the population in England earned a living from the manufacture of this cloth, and 75 percent of the cotton used in England’s production came from the United States. Since England was so dependent on the south’s cotton and the north’s transportation of it, both the north and the south were able to benefit heavily from this export". Another positive out-come from the Cotton Gin is how the production from it helped strengthen the US.
The Cotton Gin seems to have very many positive affects on the US, it also had negative affects. As the cash crops tobacco, rice, and sugar began to dwindle away and not be as popular cotton production got very strong. This can be helpful at first, until the economy becomes a one crop economy from so much cotton being planted by so many people. The cotton had also taken a tole on the soil quality in the south, which had led to labor sources being unstable. The Cotton Gin had also cause slavery to go back up in numbers because of the needed workers for the Cotton Gin's they needed more slaves to work. The Cotton becoming so popular had led to socioeconomic imbalance in the south, while Democracy was just taking place. Another negative affect this had was the majority of the south was taken over by minority of wealthy plantation owners. The Cotton Gin's negative affects certainly put somewhat of a tole on the US.
Cotton was a highly desired crop, but because of the labor intensive process it required this kept it from being cost efficient. If farmers wanted to grow cotton it took a very large amount of work and time to do this. Once Whitney's invention had been discovered it decreased the labor by 50 times without throwing anyone out of business. This then inceased cotton to become the most planted crop in the US. The first ten years of the Cotton Gin, cotton production sky rocketed up by 800%. The new moto in the south had then become "Cotton is King". Cotton had become the most popular, planted crop in the United States.
The South isn't the only place in the country that had benefited from the Cotton Gin: "Southerners were not the only ones benefiting from the cotton boom. Eighty percent of the south’s cotton went to England by way of northern shippers. These shippers were able to buy cotton wholesale and sell it at a premium, since England’s most important manufactured good was cotton cloth. One-fifth of the population in England earned a living from the manufacture of this cloth, and 75 percent of the cotton used in England’s production came from the United States. Since England was so dependent on the south’s cotton and the north’s transportation of it, both the north and the south were able to benefit heavily from this export". Another positive out-come from the Cotton Gin is how the production from it helped strengthen the US.
The Cotton Gin seems to have very many positive affects on the US, it also had negative affects. As the cash crops tobacco, rice, and sugar began to dwindle away and not be as popular cotton production got very strong. This can be helpful at first, until the economy becomes a one crop economy from so much cotton being planted by so many people. The cotton had also taken a tole on the soil quality in the south, which had led to labor sources being unstable. The Cotton Gin had also cause slavery to go back up in numbers because of the needed workers for the Cotton Gin's they needed more slaves to work. The Cotton becoming so popular had led to socioeconomic imbalance in the south, while Democracy was just taking place. Another negative affect this had was the majority of the south was taken over by minority of wealthy plantation owners. The Cotton Gin's negative affects certainly put somewhat of a tole on the US.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
XYZ Affairs and Alien and Sedition Acts
1. The XYZ affairs created more tension between France and America. When the three men that John Adams appointed top negotiate with France traveled to do so, they were forced to communicate through three French agents. Or other known as agents, "X, Y ,Z". This angered Adams very much when he that this had happened, this being one of the first problems he has had to face as president. France then refused to negotiate with the American's in any way unless they paid them a $250, 000 bribe and a very large loan as well. This made the Americans seem much lower in class than France, which created much more tension between them as well. This then led to Adams declaring war as the army was tripled in size, a navy was appointed and 40 war ships were created to take on France. This preparation to go to war with France never ended up turning into a war, John Adams intelligently did not go to war, but congress did stop commercial trade with France.
2. The Federalists were not justified in passing the Alien and Sedition Acts, these acts were a violation to the Constitution. This gave the right to the government to just throw anyone into jail that looked like a threat, that is completely judgemental and wrong. That is not a proper way to punish someone and it should not have been passed.
3. Kentucky and Virginia were very justified in their response to the Alien and Sedition Acts as they disagreed with them. They did not agree with Congress passing these acts in any way as this forced people to move to Thomas Jefferson's republican party. In response to these acts being passed, Jefferson and Madison wrote acts against the acts they then sent their resolutions to all the states. Kentucky and Virginia being two states that had given them positive feedback.
3. Kentucky and Virginia were very justified in their response to the Alien and Sedition Acts as they disagreed with them. They did not agree with Congress passing these acts in any way as this forced people to move to Thomas Jefferson's republican party. In response to these acts being passed, Jefferson and Madison wrote acts against the acts they then sent their resolutions to all the states. Kentucky and Virginia being two states that had given them positive feedback.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Communist View
1. This text book gives a Communist view of the Constitution to the Soviet students. This view is saying that the Constitution has more power over the people rather than being power for the people. It is also emphasizes the fact that upper class has total domination over the lower class.
2. Two examples of of facts from the excerpt is one, when the article recognizes that the Constitution was supplemented by the Bill of Rights and that this law recognizes the rights of the citizens. Another fact that this excerpt shows is, that the members of the Supreme Court are appointed for life, even if the president is in a different political party than they are in. There are also examples of opinions shown in this excerpt as well. One is, when the article states: "The American Constitution reinforced the domination of the large upper class and slave holders." This meaning the constitution gives more power to the upper class rather than the lower class. One other opinion is when the article states: "So-called bourgeois democracy was established in North America under the name "popular sovereignty" (democracy), but it is actually the rule of the bourgeoisie." This excerpt reflects a bias against the United States because it is saying that our Constitution completely takes advantage of the people and their rights. This says that the upper class has total authority over the lower class, which can be true in some cases, but not completely.
3. I disagree with the communist view of the constitution, I believe the Constitution helps make our government strong and keeps order and rule equal. This communist article was blown out of proportion and I do not agree with a majority of what they say.
2. Two examples of of facts from the excerpt is one, when the article recognizes that the Constitution was supplemented by the Bill of Rights and that this law recognizes the rights of the citizens. Another fact that this excerpt shows is, that the members of the Supreme Court are appointed for life, even if the president is in a different political party than they are in. There are also examples of opinions shown in this excerpt as well. One is, when the article states: "The American Constitution reinforced the domination of the large upper class and slave holders." This meaning the constitution gives more power to the upper class rather than the lower class. One other opinion is when the article states: "So-called bourgeois democracy was established in North America under the name "popular sovereignty" (democracy), but it is actually the rule of the bourgeoisie." This excerpt reflects a bias against the United States because it is saying that our Constitution completely takes advantage of the people and their rights. This says that the upper class has total authority over the lower class, which can be true in some cases, but not completely.
3. I disagree with the communist view of the constitution, I believe the Constitution helps make our government strong and keeps order and rule equal. This communist article was blown out of proportion and I do not agree with a majority of what they say.
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