-+TP+Responses+to+essential+questions

In the 16th and 17th century, England sought to colonize in America. England’s state of depression forced the colonizing to begin in hopes of more economical and social opportunities. The idea of colonizing in America started when Richard Hakluyt wrote a letter to the people in England about his voyage to America. The letter was directed toward the wealthy people, saying that England’s financial problems would be solved if they helped fund the voyages. During these times England was greatly populated with many people without jobs. Without a job there was no steady income which led to the increase in crime. Hakluyt’s funding request would provide jobs for people. In his letter, he also included that if nothing was done, the crime rate would increase and the people of England would be known as savages. Along with persuading the wealthy to finance the voyage, Hakluyt described the social opportunities in America. The most important was the abundance of jobs. People were needed for all trades, like miners for gold. Gold was an international language that everyone understood. Where there was gold, there was money and a better life. With Hakluyt concluding his letter about America overflowing with gold, heavy flow of immigrants began.

Respinse to Essential question: //__In which of the colonies from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts would you have preferred to be a settler? Explain FULLY why. (Include thesis focusing specially on the social and economical make up of your choice)__//

I came to America from England in search of a better life. When I first heard about the different colonies that were being built, I was so excited to learn more. I soon found out that each colony had a specific religion that they followed. I was not brought up as a Puritan but as a Quaker. My belief is that each person is equal before God and that everyone has equal rights to do as they want. I was raised to view everyone as a friend and not an enemy. My journey to America started in 1683. The voyage was hard but worth the hassle in the end. The ship docked in Pennsylvania and we were welcomed by William Penn. According to my ship mates, William Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania and created it for the people who did not fit in anywhere else. Possibly they were not willing to change their religion to fit in or they were kicked out of their colony for wrong doing. He also did not take the land from the Native Americans but traded with them for the land. Hearing all of this, I felt for once I would be free and have the chance to express myself and my uniqueness. I am able to learn about different cultures and religion and not feel judged. The non aggressive views helped bring the Pennsylvania colony to grow economically and socially. It soon became the most prosperous colony with the most opportunities religiously, economically, and socially. The Pennsylvania colony is giving me the opportunity to open new doors I just have to take advantage of them.

Essential Question (2) - //__Why is the French and Indian War a major turning point between British and colonial relations? Cite specific examples focusing specifically the economical and social aspects of the period. (1763-1774) __//  The French and Indian war started in 1756 and ended in 1759 at the battle of Quebec. In 1763, the treaty of Paris was signed. The treaty of Paris declared that France and Spain’s land in America was to be given to the British. Britain’s dominance in America increased because of this treaty. Even though the war brought an increase to Britain’s colonial empire, the economy suffered. The amount of money spent towards the war put them in debt. With the bad economy, King George III institutes the Proclamation Line of 1763 and the Writs of Assistance of 1761. The Proclamation Line of 1763 banned the colonists to move past the Appellation mountains. The Writs of Assistance allowed the government to search anything without a warrant. Once these acts were put into place, Britain didn’t see much improvement with the economy. George Grenville, the Prime Minister of Britain, created four laws that would increase taxes and hopefully improve the economy. In 1764, the Sugar act placed taxes on sugar. The currency act of 1764 made everyone change their currency to be the same as Britain’s. The Quartering act of 1765 said that landowners must allow soldiers into there house and provide hospitality. The stamp act of 1765 put taxes on all items that could be bought. Everyone was outraged by the increase in taxes and the new laws that the Stamp act congress was created to prevent further taxes and to eliminate the ones made. The French and Indian War was a major turning point between Britain and the colonists. It placed strong authority of British government over the colonists and had the colonists considering if they really were English men even though they didn’t have freedom of speech.

Essential Question (2) - __//Justify the actions of the American colonists in declaring and fighting for their independence.//__ Under the Virginia Company charter, the English colonists were allowed to leave their home country to colonize in America and keep the same rights as Englishmen. As more people colonized in America, the stronger Britain’s power over the colonies became. King George III sent troops to impose the rules and to help the British influence. The new laws that were created increased all taxes on the colonists. The tax money went straight to Britain to help with their economical problems. The heavy influence of Britain on the colonists had the colonists questioning if they were Englishmen. The Virginia Company charter said they had the same rights as Englishmen, but in reality the colonists have no freedom or independence. When the influence of Britain in America got to be too much for the colonists they fought back. In 1765, the Loyal Nine was created along with the Sons of Liberty and the Stamp Act Congress. The groups formed organized protests to revoke the Stamp Act. With the help from the Stamp Act Congress, the colonists were able to revoke the Stamp Act. The battle for independence between the British and the colonists lasted until the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

//__Essential Question- How does the constitution allow for an enduring political debate? Use support from activity completed in class. __// After the signing of the constitution, there was much disagreement about the content of it. When the constitution was written, it was not officially a national law. There needed to be nine out of thirteen states agreeing to pass it as a law. Those states, or anti-federalists, that disagreed wanted the Bill of Rights included. The anti-federalists and the federalists heavily debated their opinions about it. Shortly after the constitution was declared a national law in 1787, George Washington was elected the first president of the United States. Being the first president, he did not have a political party that he belonged to. Instead he appointed Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton in the cabinet seats. These two men had distinct political parties that they belonged to. Thomas Jefferson was a democratic republican, where as Alexander Hamilton was a federalist. Jefferson believed that the constitution was made to be followed word for word and there was no other interpretation of it. Hamilton believed that the constitution was made to be followed as guidelines rather than specific rules. Since both political figures were from different political parties, there were many debates regarding the economy. Washington would listen to both views and come to an agreement based off of them.

 //__Essential Question- Was the Revolution of 1800 truly a Revolution? __//  A revolution is defined as the change in power in government. The political fight for power between the Federalists and the Republicans was known as the Revolution of 1800. This revolution was important to the shaping of the United States because it formed the government we have today. During Federalist, John Adams presidency, he failed to follow the principals of America. He placed taxes on houses, slaves, and land owners. When Thomas Jefferson was elected as president in 1801 and gave his first Inaugural Address, he said that he would make a change in the government and allow the people to freely live their lives. Jefferson tried to persuade the Federalists that it was better to give the people their individual rights and to follow the Constitution word for word. He wanted everyone to be equal and not feel like they were governed by a king. Once Thomas Jefferson bet John Adams in the presidential elections, the voting was then between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson. Besides the differences of views between a Federalist and a Republican, the third presidential election ended with an addition to the United States Constitution. The president is elected by the Electoral College. The candidate with the second amount of votes becomes the Vise President. The election ended with a tie and the votes were handed over to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives were all part of the Federalist Party and voted for the Aaron Burr. That voting ended in a deadlock and the final vote was left to Alexander Hamilton who voted for Thomas Jefferson as president. The Revolution of 1800 was a critical event in the development of our country. It was the first time the country had a Democratic leader and an additional amendment added to the Constitution. This was the 12th amendment stating that the electoral have to make a distinct decision between their selections for Vice President and President.

//__Essential Question- "Andrew Jackson created a unique social and economical shift during his presidency, stepping away from traditional Democratic Republican values to give power to the common man for the first time in American history." Assess the validity of this statement.__//

Andrew Jackson was a Democratic president from the years 1829-1837. During the presidential election, Jackson made it his main focus to appeal to the common man. He did this by creating the Jacksonian Democracy; which believed that the government should be run by the people. Soon the Jacksonian Democracy became part of the New Democracy. The New Democracy granted the common man voting rights and universal suffrage. When Andrew Jackson was elected president he had gained supporters from the West, South, and East coast. During his presidency he made it his goal to allow the citizens to hold a position in office for a short amount of time. He He did this by forming the spoil system; which rewarded the political supporters with positions in public office. Along with the spoils system, he lowered taxes by passing the Tariff of 1832, and improved economy and states’ rights by ending the Bank of the United States. Andrew Jackson’s political career started with him creating the Jacksonian Democracy, which resulted in the New Democracy and ended with his attributes to improving the common man’s voice and rights. This has allowed Andrew Jackson to be known as the “Champion of the Common Man”.