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US History

To hone your abilities to research using scholarly sources
To advance critical thinking and writing skills
To compile a response to the prompts provided
To explore a historical topic and make connections to change over time
Instructions
Pick one (1) of the following topics. Then, address the corresponding questions/prompts for your selected topic. Use at least one (1) documented example of the corresponding primary source in your writing.

Option 1: The American System, Transportation, and Communication
Read the following primary source:

In Defense of the American System, 1832
Then, address the following:

Describe the idea of Henry Clay’s “American System.”
Based on Clay’s economic vision of America, analyze how the American System would build the American market and economy?
Analyze the role of mechanization and communication in the American System.
Option 2: The Indian Removal Act of 1830
Read the following primary source:

Transcript of President Andrew Jackson’s Message to Congress ‘On Indian Removal’ (1830)
Then, address the following:

Evaluate the rationale that President Jackson used in the removal of the Native Americans from east of the Mississippi River. Did the removal have the intended impact?
Identify the responsibilities given to the President under the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
Compare Jackson’s actions toward Native Americans in the context of his First Inaugural Address with the path of events during the Trail of Tears.
Determine if the removal of the Native Americans from east of the Mississippi River violate the principles found in the Declaration of Independence?
Option 3: The Abolitionist Movement
Read the following primary source:

Declaration of Sentiments of American Anti-Slavery Society (1833) (Click on arrows to view all images of the document. Click on plus and minus signs to enlarge or reduce size of images.)
Then, address the following:

Assess if abolitionists were responsible reformers or irresponsible agitators?
Explain how abolitionists upheld the Declaration of Independence as the foundation of antislavery and abolitionist thought.
Assess the effect of the Gag Rule on the Abolitionist Movement.
Analyze how the women’s rights movement would gain momentum from the antislavery movement

Sample Answer

Option 1: The American System, Transportation, and Communication

1. Describing Henry Clay’s American System:

Henry Clay’s American System, advocated for in 1824, was a multi-pronged economic policy aimed at fostering national unity and economic prosperity. The three key pillars of the American System were:

Internal Improvements: Building a national network of roads, canals, and waterways to connect various regions and facilitate trade. Clay envisioned this as vital for opening up new markets and promoting westward expansion.
Protective Tariffs: Imposing tariffs on imported goods to encourage domestic manufacturing and protect American industries from foreign competition. This aimed to stimulate American industrial growth and create jobs.

Full Answer Section

National Bank: Establishing a national bank to regulate the nation’s currency and provide financial stability. Clay believed this would promote banking institutions and provide credit for businesses, facilitating economic growth.

Building the American Market and Economy:

The American System sought to build the American market and economy in several ways:

Enhanced Trade and Commerce: Improved transportation infrastructure would connect remote regions, allowing for easier movement of goods and people. This would expand markets for American producers and increase trade within the nation.
Industrial Growth: Protective tariffs would shield American industries from cheaper foreign competition, fostering their development and job creation. This would stimulate domestic production and diversify the economy beyond agriculture.
Financial Stability: A national bank would provide a stable, centralized monetary system, facilitating business transactions and attracting foreign investment. This would boost economic activity and confidence.

Role of Mechanization and Communication:

Mechanization and communication played crucial roles in supporting the American System:

Mechanization: Technological advancements like steamboats and railroads revolutionized transportation, significantly decreasing travel times and costs. This facilitated the movement of goods and people over longer distances, further enhancing trade and commerce.
Communication: Improvements in communication, such as the telegraph and postal service, fostered faster information exchange and business transactions. This allowed for improved coordination between markets and regions, streamlining economic activity.

Documented Example from Primary Source:

In his 1832 speech “In Defense of the American System,” Clay eloquently stated: “Let gentlemen contemplate the situation of our country ten years, twenty years ago, compared with its present situation. They will find the wealth of the nation increased—its population augmented—its resources developed—its comforts and enjoyments multiplied—and its character and credit abroad all essentially and prodigiously improved.” This excerpt serves as a primary source evidence of Clay’s vision for the American System’s positive impact on economic growth and national prosperity.

By investing in infrastructure, protecting industries, and establishing financial stability, the American System aimed to create a self-sustaining economic engine that would propel the nation forward. While its implementation faced challenges and criticisms, its core principles contributed significantly to shaping the development of the American market and economy in the 19th century.

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US History

Sample Answer

Option 1: The American System, Transportation, and Communication

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