Thursday, December 13, 2007
Balancing Nationalism and Sectionalism
I think that being a nation means to be together as one whole when making any decisions, no matter how large or small. This includes decisions such as court and laws. I think that being a nation means working together as one unit. I also think that being a nation means that the people will decide not only what is good for their state, but what is best for all the states as a whole.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Indian Removal Act
On May 26, 1830, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed by the Twenty-First Congress of the United states of America. After four months of strong debate, Andrew Jackson signed the bill into law. Land greed was a big reason for the federal government's position on Indian removal. This desire for Indian lands was also abetted by the Indian hating mentality that was peculiar to some American frontiersman. This period of forcible removal first started with the Cherokee Indians in the state of Georgia. In 1802, the Georgia legislature signed a compact giving the federal government all of her claims to western lands in exchange for the government's pledge to extinguish all Indian titles to land within the state. But by the mid-1820's Georgians began to doubt that the government would withhold its part of the bargain. The Cherokee Indian tribes had a substantial part of land in Georgia that they had had for many generations though. They were worried about losing their land so they forced the issue by adopting a written constitution. This document proclaimed that the Cherokee nation had complete jurisdiction over its own territory. But by now Indian removal had become entwined with the state of Georgia's rights and the Cherokee tribes had to make their claims in court. When the Cherokee nation sought aid from newly elected president Andrew Jackson, he informed them that he would not interfere with the lawful prerogatives of the state of Georgia. Jackson saw the solution of the problem with the removal of the Cherokee tribes to lands west. This would keep contact between Indians and colonists rare. He suggested that laws be past so that the Indians would have to move west of the Mississippi river.
I agree with The Indian Removal Act, but I don't agree with the way that they treated the Indians. They didn't treat the Indians like they said they would, and thats not cool.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Preserving the Nation

It is not possilbe for a nation to be preserved without the necessary force of politics and war. Without war who would stop others from taking our nation? Without force of politics who would keep things in order? The answer is clear that nobody would. War is needed or that nation will be pushed around like a school bully pushing around a freshman. Political force is needed to help keep things in line and order. So, as for the answer to can the use of force preserve a nations freedom? It is the only way to preserve a nations freedom.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Balancing Nationalism and Sectionalism
The Missouri Compromise came about because northerners wanted to end slavery. But people in the South wanted to keep slavery in order to keep the cotton production up. The Compromise helped solve any fighting that would uproar in America. After the Compromise was official, if two new territories applied for statehood, one would have to be free. The other would have to be slave. But, when California and Kansas decided to enter has free states, many southerns got mad because they thought that if the power in the House wasn't equal, then the people from up North would outvote slavery and make their economy bad. Maybe if Henry Clay had been more specific about the Compromise when he wrote it, then it might have prevented many conflicts during this error.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sectionalism and Nationalism
about a month ago my family and I moved from up north down to South Carolina. So I am hear to tell you the difference in Sectionalism and Nationalism and what i am for. first of all, up north we believe in the nationalism, we want to stick together, be one nation all together, and that way America doesn't fall apart. Us northerners believe that the south and north are one nation and Abraham considered the south as part of the US when he was president. Sectionalism is most believed in down south, and they don't want anything to do with the north. the south want to be separated from us because we are very different and it wouldn't make sense if like for example, Germany and Africa joined as one nation, because they are totally different kind of people. Sectionalism from my understanding is being separated or having a liking of one region over the whole nation. The south liked the south and didn't want to be part of the north or anywhere else.
Journal, when I see and hear all this about nationalism and sectionalism and i have to choose which one i would rather believe, i think that if we were separated and broken down into small colonies, then our nation would be so poorly protected and strong. South Carolina is a very nice state and if its part of a little nation then i would think differently about it because everything that is now would be very different if it had not been all one nation. I choose the nationalism because we need the other states to make this nation and the bigger the stronger as well.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
can a government build a unified nation out of a people with diverse interest and concerns?
The articles of confederation gave way too much power to the states, each operated like a separate nation and were starting to get into serious trouble. Because every state put its issues over the nations overall, everyone suffered. The founding fathers knew this and strengthened the federal government. Under this new system everyone can still put their say in yet still serve the nations overall benefit.
Nationalism Vs. Sectionalism
Then there is sectionalism. Sectionalism, be definition, is the placing of the interestss of one's own region ahead of the interests of the nation as a whole. Now this means it is a smaller area than nationalism. One reason is that multiple sections can team up to make a better nationalism. People in office that controlls this includes the mayor. There is also governor which covers bigger areas of that section. I'm glad we have these. Without them, everything would be in chaos.
Constitution Convention
The constititution convention was a very good idea to come together with everyone's ideas on how to help the Articles and
The Louisiana Purchase
The Lousiana purchase was seen as unconstitutional at first. Monroe and Livingston, who had gone to negotiate, had purchased the land when it was in doubt that the government had the power to obtain new land. After some consideration, Jefferson decided that everything was alright. He then allowed the Senate to ratify it as being part of the US. This land proved to be a good asset to the US. It later became part of the Cotton Kingdom, bringing in a lot of income for the South. It also gave the US more access to the Mississppi River. Overall, the Louisiana purchase was a good decision on America's behalf.
How can a government build a unified nation out of people with diverse interests and concerns?
I beleive it is very hard to make people understand each others concerns. People will either do it on their own or it wont happen. It would be very hard for Washington to force them to get along with each other. It actually would be pretty much impossible. If Hamilton and Jefferson would have listened to each other more they probobly could of came to an understanding. This is why the political parties arent mixed up any more. It cause to much conflict. To built a strong, unified goverment, you must have an understanding with each other. They should have realized they both cant have their exact way. Hamilton and Jefferson should of came to a fair agreement for the better of the United States.
Launching a new nation
My name is Olive and I'm 16 years old, I live in South Carolina. the revolutionary war just ended, and now the nation has a list of things to do. List being, they need to from a government, make laws, a leader, a system to enforce the laws, a better army, and money management. They need a strong government who will take charge of the laws and forming the right process to elect a leader for this country. The laws would help eliminate chaos among the American citizens, and help keep its freedom and peace. A leader would make this country organized and help the government. We need to enforce these laws so that people will abide by them, and by them being accurate in the country. Yes we have an army but we need to build it and make it stronger so we will be prepared for anything between us and other countries. America has money and its gaining more, therefore we need to have banks for sage keeping and learn to best manage the money.
I think that this nation is well on its way to being an enjoyable country. this country worked really hard to get where they are and did difficult tasks to do so. The government is going to need to set up an electoral process to elect their leader/president and its going to take some thought with putting together those laws. these people are smart and with a government, a leader, and laws it will grow tremendously without a doubt. With the power this country had, it has launched as a nation.
Forming a new nation
I say becoming a new nation could be as tough as being your own boss of your job, you know very little to keep it organized when you start. It is also like you are left with a responsibility alone with no supervision. But if one or many study their facts and needs, everything can run smoothely. Sometimes the information can be very hard to find or hard to accomplished. Some people have quit to earn their independence because to them seem risky or impossible to do. When you know all you need, you'll be alot smarter and stronger. But in the war, many people lost their own lives to be free. Independence is very powerfull
Launching a new nation
I think that in order for the nation to come together, everyone's voice needs to be heard. I think that their voices could be heard by letting them have a say-so in who will represent them as a state. Then all the states need to work together to build a unified nation. As a nation the government needs to make laws that each state can follow. In order to do this each state needs to pick a person that will represent them.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Forming a new Nation
Launching a New Nation
Without the help of Washington this nation would not be anywhere near what it is now. I'm not sure if their would be a nation without him. Without the Bill of Rights this nation would not be as organized as it is now. These two forces combined helped to level out the "rough" edges of this nation. I don't really believe there is anyway to unify a nation. There will always be "imperfections" that people have in others eyes that will cause conflict. Because of this conflict no nation will truely be unified. Even though everyone may claim to be unified there will always be those little differences that cause us to be different and split up into different groups.
Different People With Different Needs
Well we finally did it, we overthrew the control that Britain had over us and now we are free! Although I fear we may not be able to enjoy our freedom for long, I fear we have a long road ahead of us. We have alot to do, we must establish a Government and a document that dictates rules for our entire nation. I also fear that we may be running ourselves into another war so soon. I overheard some people talking about our first leader, they reffered to him as our "president", I think they said his name was Washington or something like that. I also heard that there were people in congress debating over our new Constitution they are trying to make sure everything is just right for us but it sure is taking along time. My parents were talking the other day and they said that people were already disagreeing on things and that we have already split into two different political parties, the Federalists and the Democrat-Republicans. We have to get our act together if we ever hope to survive, but I have faith in our new Government and I know they will do what is right.
It is the on going question, "how can a nation be unified, when different people need different things?". Well I dont have an answer but I can try to elaborate on how many nations are trying. Since the first day America was an independent country we have always had trouble meeting the concerns of our people. Everyone has a different opinion and everyone has a different need, and to meet those needs America has tried to improve our economy. America has also attempted to ally with other countries by helping them with situations that they are having. America has even become multi-religion friendly. America has made some mistakes in the past in trying to please everyone, such as making our economy so fragile that it crashes with the touch of a finger. Now you can say that America hasnt met your needs or your concerns but you sure cant say they arent trying.
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase is what i think one of Jefferson's Smartest moves he ever made.
Launching a new nation
The great George Washington has been voted as our first President. He is a valuable leader to our country. He lead us during the war, and now he is going to lead our people. Washington was able to unite our country during the war. Now, hopefully, he will continue to lead us as a nation and not as sections. G. W. showed great potential when he was general of the army. It was a unanimous decision for him to lead our country. Washington born in 1732 was born into a Virginia planter family. There, he learned the morales and manners expected from an 18th century gentleman. In May of 17775, Washington was voted commander-in-cheif of the Continental army. He later lead his troops to the victory over the British.
It is hard to unify a country that has just defeated its old government. At first, there is no set government, and the governments that have been set up fail. With growing tention between the North and the South, and the expansion out West, Washington has been put into a difficult position. Washington knew that this job was too great for one man, so he set up what is today called the cabinet. With the help of his cabinet, Washington started the foundation of what is now the United States of America as we know it. Even though we had an excellent first president, America still faced challenges of unity.
Balancing Nationalism and Sectionalism
The Industrial Revolution was a good way that nations advanced and formed better ways to harvest and gather resources. The cotton gin helped the confederate south to increase their production of cotton even more. Without the Industrial Revolution the cotton gin would have never been made. The new inventions of the U.S. helped fuel the souths idea to succeed. If the some of the inventions hadn't been made during the Industrial Revolution when they did the south may not have succeeded. Although the south was a separate nation Abraham Lincoln did not believe that it was. He believe that although it had declared itself a separate nation it was still part of the U.S. A nation cannot truely be a nation unless it is able to support itself without the help of others.
Indian Removal Act
Some Americans tried to help the Indians and showed them how to live like Americans. The Indians started having churches and dressing like the Americans. My family and I tried to help one Indian family from the Cherokee and held them in our house. For awhile I even forgot they we Indian, and looked at them as part of the family because of the way they acted. Sadly this didn't last long and the government soon made them move to Oklahoma. We still do not know if the family we tried to help save ever made it to Oklahoma or not.
Louisiana Purchase
Im so happy that this has happened. I think that this helped unify our nation because we bought land instead of just taking them like we had done in the past. This also helped us be able to use the Mississippi River to our advantage without causing conflict. In doing this we also allowed us to expand our borders, which helps us become a better nation. In my opinion this was one of the treaties that helped us become a hole. Now we are a more stronger and better nation than we were before.
Forming a new nation
Another thing that plagues new nations is after forming a consitution and everything like that, they must find an item to trade inorder to make money, to get all other things they need. Luckily for America, we had many cash crops that we could trade.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
What does it mean to be a nation
I think to be a nation you must have a great leader. If the nation isn't being lead properly then it will fall. I believe the United States is a good nation. We have a good leader but we don't always make the best decisions. I think that are nation isn't always out for whats best for the nation. Were concerned about ourselves a lot of the time. We still are a great nation. We seem to be organized and very strong.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
It was 1803 when a treaty was for the United States to have the Louisana Territory. It was very good for the United States because of the Missippi R. The river helped us Americans with shipping in goods. And shipping things out for trading with other countries. The amount that the Americans had to pay to the French was $15 million. The reason that we were able to get Louisana was to send to Americans. By the name of James Monroe and Robert Livingston. They were sent to Paris to settle this agreement.
This new treaty helped us Americans on expanding our land and increasing our trading. Now that we have the Missippi R. Also this new land help expand us because we used to be just thirteen colonies. At first America really wanted New Orleans because of its shipping vessels. But the problem was that it was in the Spanish Territory. I think this was one of the best treaties that the United States has made. And the reason for that is because look at far that the Americans have come. The French was probably one of the reason's on how we've became such a great nation.
Mitchell Anderson
P-2
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Launching a New Nation - Louisiana Purchase
This new land gave the Americans a chance to broaden there borders. Now they had somewhere to go and to expand to. This was a great moment in history for the United States. Not only was there a lot of land gained by the treaty but it was fairly cheap for that amount. This acquirement of new territory also made it easier for Americans to sail there vessels down the Mississippi River through what use to be Spanish territory and unload goods at New Orleans for shipment to the Atlantic coast and Europe. This also gave the nation a chance to spread there diverse interest and concerns and bring tem to one with the though of new land and what the nation should do with it.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
"What does it mean to be a nation?"
This by far is one of the worst things America has ever done. The Indians were here way before we came and we had no right to take their land from them. In order to be a nation every has to count and be equal. No matter if there white, black, or Indian. We should have just let the Indians stay and move on with their lives. Andrew Jackson and the government should of thought over this and realized what they were doing to theses people. The Americans should of had some say so in this also. The people who disagreed with this act should of spoken out loud and said something to the government about this situation.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Launching a New Nation
The colononists choice of government was a difficult one. They had to find a way to give each view point it's fair chance. They voting by using the Electoral College was a way of making compiling the votes easier. Democrat-Republicans had a more sound idea of how to run the country. Leaving all the decisions to individual states would have caused conflict. As a new nation they needed to have a unified front. Being a loosely bound gang of states would not have set up a very powerful image. So by leaving the power to the coutry they were able to successfully launch America.
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Industrial Revolution
This revolution also had some negative effects. Cotton had become "king" in Louisiana, Mississppi, and Alabama. This was caused by the invention of the cotton gin which made it easier to clean cotton. Although the boom in the cotton industry wasn't bad, the fact that slavery became more popular was. Cotton was now bringing in more money, meaning that Southern farmers needed more workers to produce more cotton. The number of slaves in the South went from 700,000 to 1,200,000 because of this surge in cotton. Although many good things came about because of the revolution, the popularity of slavery that accompanied it would later lead to the Civil War. This just goes to show that with every good thing, a bad thing will follow.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Starting a new Nation
I believed that the best way to have a strong united country is to set good and just laws. Laws that are not to linient yet not too harsh. Ammendments like the Bill of Rights was a great start. By giving people freedom, it gives them a sense of independence, which was exactly what they fought Britain for. Voting for good, strong plotical leaders is also important. You want to vote for someone that has the interest of everyone in mind. Hamilton was only looking out for the wealthy and not for the common people. The best way for the government to unify the nation with diverent backgrounds is to make sure that no group is left out. Meaning that the laws have to be equal through out.
Launching A New Nation
In my opinion the election of 1800 was handled fairly. I feel that it was right to let the electoral college decide the candidate. Even though elections are suppose to be decided by the people of the nation, that is never really the case. The people may have the popular vote but the electoral college decides it all. A government can build a unified nation out of people with diverse interest and concerns by letting the people have a say so in decisions. If the government listens to what the people have to say, then they can find ways to make everyone happy. When people have different concerns and interest, presidential candidates are usually what they pay attention to the most. The candidates often listen to what people want, and go on campaigns to address these issues and tell ways that they plan to resolve them. Basically, when the government makes things equal for the people, there is unity. This is how a government can build a unified nation out of people with diverse interest and concerns.
Nationalism Vs. Sectionalism
When a country has two separate views on what is important in the country is not good. I feel that the North was right. The nation should be more important than any one state or region. If the nation fails, then the section fails. However if a section fails, the nation can live on and eventually restore the region in need. The South was arrogant in assuming that their way of life was more important than the Northerners'. If the South could have been made to see the errors of their views, then many conflicts could have been avoided. Nationalism is on a whole more practical and more beneficial than Sectionalism.
"What does it mean to be a nation"
What I think it means to be a nation is when everyone agrees on the same things. Also to learn about others culture's and way of life. Another reason is that America has made some very bad choices. Like forcing the Cherokee Indians from there land. Or going to some wars that I just don't understand why. Also is why does America get into these tight situations with other countries or foreign people. Is it because we have nothing better to do but just fight. And to get into other people's problems.
Mitchell Anderson
P-2
Launching a New Nation
10/30/07
In 1815 the new nation was just getting started, and they were struggling to create the new government. The new government was formed as a democracy by our founding fathers. Through out this new government they did not want any part of the government to have too much power. They created the Federal system, which was made up of the federal, state, and local. They made George Washington our first president. There were people who supported the new Constitution, who were called the Federalist. Then there were people who were Anti-Federalist, who thought that it gave too much power to the government. In September 1789, Congress submitted the Bill of Rights.
Even though there are so many different issues and ideas when we were developing our new nation, I think they made it fair for everyone. Every time they had a conflict they would try to solve it as fair as possible. Everyone got a chance to vote, and got to put in their opinion. They could have just taken all the power in the government, just like the king. They didn't though, they stayed equal with the whole nation. They created the Bill of Rights, which showed us our rights we had as citizens. Even though we don't have all the problems solved in the nation, we do have most of the issues solved, and they are solved equally and fairly.
The country should really try hard to really hear every idea of every part of the country. Somebody is bound to get the short end of the stick one time, but you have to balance it. There should be a tax on imported goods, but American prices should be lower and the North should return the favor. That way your supporting your country and everybody's happy. You should also go see every state and see how you can better help it thrive. In turn the states should be more patient and believe in there country. Also every state should suggest ideas on how to help the country or themselves because you won't be heard, unless you speak. So you really just have to find a good balance.
What does it mean to be a nation?
I know that America is a great nation, but in my process of writing this, a question popped in my head that I cant seem to answer. Is America the greatest nation there is? This is a question that has haunted me in my process of writing all this. America may have done some things that can be deemed evil and horrific, but it was only because we thought it was for the best right, or were we just blinded by our greed as a young nation to grow in power and strength? Among the wrongs America has committed some good can be found. We have always tried to help other countries in need and we have never let an ally suffer. America has always done what is best for the people and has rarely let them down. Maybe the question stated above can never be answered but something can be said for America and that is they are a nation that refuses to give in and give up.
Nationalism and Sectionalism
Between nationalism and sectionalism, nationalism is the best if you want to unite a country. Keeping the interest of everyone in mind is best. On the other hand it is good to be a sectionalist as well. If the nation is facing a problem that your region is facing, it is ok to fix the problem in your region first before you help the nation. However, some people take sectionalism to another level. For example, the Proctective Tariff set by Andrew Jackson was intented to favor the nation, but instead it only helped the northern economy. The southerners feared that there economy would fall greatly if they did not change the tariff. This is where sectionalism comes in. Southerners were keeping their interest in mind instead of the nations; however, it was wrong to place the tariff because they knew it would harm the south economically. Nationalism is the way to go if you want to unite a nation
Monday, October 29, 2007
"What does it mean to be a nation?"
Are we a nation?
I think that the South Should not succed, but I do believe they were being treated somewhat unfairly. The goverment should have said "don't succed, but how can we fix this?" They should have sat with Southern representatives and found away to compromise. Like make away to force the North to by there goods too. The South was loosing money so now they could start to make some off of Norhern buyers. The government sould have tried to really work with the South and in turn the South should have tried to work with the government.
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