Civil War commentary (due by class on Thursday, 1/8)

1. What were the key military and political turning points of the war? What made them so crucial? How could the South have held on to its goal of winning the war even as late as 1864?
2. In what ways was the Civil War, particularly as pursued by Grant and Sherman, the “first modern war”?
Please address one or both of these questions in your response to the reading.

Blog post due by December 19th: Lincoln’s evaluation

When people rate presidents (even when experts do so), Lincoln almost always appears among the five best presidents in American history. However, in this chapter, we see that Lincoln, much like George W. Bush, greatly increased executive power in order to protect what he perceived to be national security. Based on what you know of Lincoln’s leadership so far, what grade would you give him as a president? Why? Do you think he gets remembered more positively because of his assassination?

Cause of the Civil War: due by December 16th

Ken Burns placed slavery at the center of the conflict that caused the Civil War while McPherson places the socio-economic divide and the perception of this divide between North and South at the center. Other historians have argued for other factors like extremism or political sectionalism. Based on what you read, what was the central cause of the Civil War? Explain your thesis citing some specifics from your reading.

Blundering Generation?

Some historians have proclaimed that the Civil War happened when it did because the politicians of the time were ineffective. Do you agree with this assertion based on the events of the 1850s so far? How much did individuals have to do with the coming of the war?

War of American Aggression?

Was the Mexican American War a “just war”?
In what ways is this war consistent or inconsistent with American foreign policy across history?
Sorry so late- I got distracted by crazy children.
If you don’t answer tonight, you can write over the weekend.

Era of Revolution

Tonight you will write two comments:

One should be about this chapter.  In many ways this chapter could be called the “Era of Revolutions”- communications, agricultural, industrial, market.  What made these possible? What impact did they have? Which one was most important?

The other should be about the Dublin article.  Comment on his idea that the structure of the Lowell community contributed to the events that took place.  What caused the end of the Lowell system of hiring young single women? How did it shift?  Why?  Do you think this was a predictable step in America’s industrialization?

No more good feelings

So, what do you think about (address any you would like or make your own):

• the pros and cons of a one party system?
• the electoral college?
• nineteenth century campaigning?
• smart people as president?
• state’s rights versus federal power?
• Jackson?

War of 1812/ Era of Good Feelings Chapter 12 Commentary

So, what stands out from tonight’s reading?  What connections can you make?  Of what importance do you think the events of this reading are?