Week 5 chapter 13-15 questions - Assignment Example

Week 5 Chapter 13-15 Questions al Affiliation Week 5 Chapter 13-15 Questions What was Americas Manifest Destiny, and what were the origins of this concept?The Manifest Destiny was an idea coined in the mid 19th century to imply that God had destined Americans to rule over North American continent. Therefore, because Americans were already destined to rule the North American continent, they were free to expand the Americas territorial boundaries northwards to enable Americans enhance its social, economic and political influence in the region.

For instance, the Americans used this concept to acquire regions, such as California, Texas, New Mexico and Oregon among other areas in the southwestern part of the country. The origins of this concept is traced by to 1845 when journalist John OSullivan first used the United States Magazine, and Democratic Review, where he expressed the need to annex Texas to ensure the expansion of the American territorial boundaries. At the time, the journalist was reportedly protesting that England and France were meddling too much in the American affairs, something that he did not like.

The term then grew in popularity and became a political word after that (Brands et al., 2012).What technological developments contributed to the new mass production?Among the technological developments that contributed to the new mass production included Henry Fords Model T automobile, machine tool and railblazers (Brands et al., 2012).How did the contribution and behavior of the working class change in this period?The contribution and behaviors of the working class changed during the period in that provided labor that resulted in the development of the economy.

What were the key provisions of the Compromise of 1850?The 1850s Compromise was the legislations that were proposed to help resolve the dispute that arose regarding slavery and the territorial boundaries just after the Mexican-American war. Some of the key provisions of the Compromise include the proposal that California be admitted as a free state to the Union. The second provision was that the part of Mexican that had not seceded be subdivided into two territories namely Utah and New Mexico and that these territories be free of slavery.

Thirdly, the Compromise proposed complete abolition of the slave trade in the District of Colombia. Fourthly, the Compromise contained the Fugitive Slave Act, which required all Americans to assist the slaves that had returned. Lastly, the Compromise had a provision requiring Texas to give up parts of the western land which it had earlier claimed and received approximately $10 billion to help settle the national debt (Brands et al., 2012).What did Chief Justice Taney argue in his opinion, and what impact did this have on the American sectionalism?

Following the case of Dred Scott v. Sandford in which Scott sued for his freedom after the Missouri Compromise had prohibited slavery, Justice Taney ruled against Scott arguing that not American regardless of whether slave or free could be an American citizen. In fact, the judge continued to argue that Scott could still not have won even if he were to be a legal plaintiff. This ruling favored the sectionalism in the sense that it meant that slavery would still be practices in Missouri despite having been outlawed by the Compromise (Brands et al., 2012). What was the Crittenden compromise, and why was it rejected?

The Chittenden Compromise was a Senator John J. Crittenden proposal of 1860 which in which the senator sought to protect the institutions of slavery in the country through constitutional amendments. However, the Compromise failed to pass the Senate and the Congress because it sought to expand slavery in the south something that the Union and President Lincoln was against (Brands et al., 2012).In what ways did Lincoln assume stronger executive powers than a peacetime president?President Lincoln assumed stronger executive powers by taking control of the government and ensuring that he becomes the commander-in-chief (Brands et al., 2012).What effect did African American troops have on the war in battle and on the home front?

The African Americans played a critical role in the war in battle and on the home front by helping boost the military strength of the Union forces. In fact, it is reported that more than 20,000 African-American soldiers participated in the Revolutionary war where they provided a huge support to the Union forces that eventually resulted in the victory of the Union forces (Brands et al., 2012).How did the tide turn against the Confederate army in the middle of 1863?The tide turned against the Confederate army in 1863 following the two victories that the Union forces had over them in the West and the East rendering them vulnerable.

For instance, in the West, the Union forces managed to defeat the Confederates and took control of Vicksburg, Mississippi and extending their control across Mississippi River. In the East, the Union forces won the famous Battle of Gettysburg forcing General Lee to stop his effort to continue pushing onto the North. Accordingly, these Union victories rendered the Confederate forces vulnerable (Brands et al., 2012).How did Generals Grant and Sherman affect the election of 1864?The success of General Grant and Sherman did impact the elections of 1864 in the sense that it made voters side with the Union, thereby resulting in the successful reelection of Lincoln in 1864 (Brands et al., 2012).ReferenceBrands, H. W., Breen, T. H., Williams, R. H., & Gross, A. J. (2012).

American stories: A history of the United States, combined volume (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.