Option #3 King Andrew I

Blog Post based on HW readings Breaking the Bank- Andrew Jackson and the Second Nation Bank and How Democratic was Jacksonian Democracy?

Option #3 Jackson's supporters saw him as a symbol of popular democracy. His opponents saw him as "King Andrew I, " a self - willed tryant. Explain why you agree or disagree with one of theses views.

Please post by November 27 th at 6:00 pm

Option #2 Redefining Veto Power

Blog Post based on HW readings Breaking the Bank- Andrew Jackson and the Second Nation Bank and How Democratic was Jacksonian Democracy?

Option #2 The Second Bank of the United States charter had been upheld by the Supreme Court in 1819; it was constitutional. Jackson vetoed its re-charter because he felt it unethical. How was Jackson's use of the Veto different from previous Presidents?

Please post by November 27th at 6:00 pm

Option #1 Jackson vs. Biddle

Blog Post based on HW readings Breaking the Bank- Andrew Jackson and the Second Nation Bank and How Democratic was Jacksonian Democracy?

Option #1 The Second Bank had tremendous influence in government (and if allegations were to be believed, powers beyond just indirect influence); when Jackson made remodeling the Second Bank a priority, the Bank's s loyal politicians pulled out all stops in their attempt to renew the charter, turning it into an election issue. A vote for Jackson's re-election in 1832 meant a vote for economic anarchy (in the words of Bank President Nicholas Biddle). Jackson, ever popular with the average (and perhaps less affluent) citizen won the election. Congress passed a bill to re-charter the bank sending it to the president for approval. Jackson vetoed the bill.

In his veto message ( July 10, 1832) Jackson argued the 2nd B.U.S
a. It concentrated an excessive amount of the nation's financial strength into a single institution
b. It exposed the government to control by "foreign interests"
c. It served mainly to make the rich richer
d. It exercised too much control over members of the Congress
e. It favored Northeastern states over Southern and Western states

Provide evidence from your readings that supports one of Jackson's arguments. Please post by November 27th at 6:00 pm

War, what is it good for? 1812 Edition

While it is certain specific events that caused the War of 1812, it is also a fact that a tension existed between the United States and Britain with its colonies that originated from the American Revolution but did not stop with its conclusion. By 1812 British ships had captured almost four hundred American vessels, some within sight of the U.S. coast, severely disrupting with American export trade.

The vote for war with Britain in 1812 showed the divisions within the United States. In the House and Senate the Democratic-Republicans voted 98 for and 22 against, while the Federalists votes 0 for and 40 against. Despite this, on June 18, 1812, approving President Madison's declaration of war. President Madison listed the following causes:

1. Impressment of American citizens into the British navy
2. British ships stopping and searching American vessels - remember the Chesapeake?
3. British naval blockade, by which United States' "commerce had been plundered in every sea"
4. British Orders in Council
5. British inciting the continuing political and spiritual revival of Indian opposition against the United States

Fast forward to December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed. Not a single senator voted against peace. The treaty ended the war and obliged each side to return what it had conquered. Not only did the Treaty of Ghent conclude the War of 1812, but it marked the end of the last armed conflict between Britain and the United States. Never again did these two nations war with each other.

For this blog, post your response to ONE of the following:

Option #1 Review Madison's list of causes. By 1814 How many of these issues were addressed at the peace signing?

Option #2 What were some positive outcomes of the conflict? ( Consider what did we gained)

Option #3 What were some negative outcomes of the conflict? (Consider who the "losers" in this war were)

Please post your response by Tuesday November, 21st 6:00 pm

The New Nation Report Card

Please post your response by Monday November 13, 2006 9:00pm

Using a grading scale of A-F (pluses allowed) provide an evlauation for one of the following categories. Provide reasoned arguments and evidence for your conclusions and be ready to defend your position.

George Washington's Administration, 1789-1796
John Adam's Administration, 1796-1800
Thomas Jefferson's Administration, 1800-1808
The Marshall Court, 1801-1835

Election Day (1800?) 2006

The Adams vs. Jefferson Presidential election of 1800 was a true turning point in American history. It represented a dramatic struggle between two parties with very different visions of how the nation should be governed. The campaign itself was a barroom brawl, with mud-slinging (Federalists called Jefferson "a howling atheist"), scare tactics, and backstabbing. The low point came when Alexander Hamilton printed a devastating attack on Adams, the head of his own party, in "fifty-four pages of unremitting vilification." (Some text taken from Booknotes.)

For this blog post comment on the mudslinging in our local Congressional election (New York's 20th district) between John Sweeney and Kirsten Gillibrand and your feelings on how this type of camping impacted local voter turnout and overall participation in the political process (individual voters, office holders/candidates, and volunteers)

Excessive Party Spirit?

In the early days of our grand republic, an unexpected reality was brought into the national conversation - the growth and development of "political factions." Choose one of the following Federalist Era developments and provide a reaction to the event from the standpoint of a Federalist or Democratic - Republican. Feel free to take on the persona of a prominent member of either party when posting your response.

#1 The creation of the Bank of the US
#2 Excise tax on Whiskey
#3 Funding at the debt at par
#4 assumption of State debts
#5 Tariff (protective or revenue)
#6 Jay Treaty
#7 XYZ Affair
#8 Alien and Sedition Acts
#9 Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
#10 The Election of 1800

Please post your response by 10:00 pm Monday, November 6th