HIST 1301

Writing Assignment #2

Directions: Students are to answer the questions using the assigned

readings for the week. Students will need to respond to at least one
classmate and the instructor. All work must include references and/or
citations. The minimum word count for each question is 150 words. Please
consult the syllabus for the deadline. To prepare for this
DiscussionDiscussion, students are to review Units 3 and 4. After
reviewing Units 3 and 4, answer the following questions in the discussion
board. Students will need to select at least five questions to answer from
unit 3 or 4. Please note that students will need to use all questions to
prepare for examinations.

Unit 3 Questions:

Question 1:
Choose at least one significant event in U.S. history from Unit 3. Create a newspaper
headline or a social media post that describes your understanding of the American way of
life during this period. How did Americans live and survive? How did the Industrial
Revolution impact the American way of life?

Headline: "The Westward Movement: Pioneering the American Way of Life"

I realize that the American way of life was marked by tenacity, independence, and the
pursuit of opportunity; during the Westward Movement in the 19th century (UNT Richland
College History Textbook), Americans began a journey that profoundly reshaped their lives as
they moved westward. Americans of this period come to mind as diligent pioneers who
settled the frontier in small-town settings. They made a living by farming the land, keeping
cattle, and often helping one another out. They had a strong sense of individuality as they
dealt with the difficulties of the vast environment. The Westward Movement (Editors) was a
watershed era that dispersed the American way of life throughout the continent. The
assumption that America's destiny was to expand from coast to coast distinguished this
period. Democracy, multiculturalism, and a sense of national unity all flourished as a result
of these migrations and settlements. But I'm aware that the environment and indigenous
populations suffered as a result of the West's growth. As people moved farther west, ideas
about what it meant to own land and to call a place "home" shifted. Conclusively, the
Westward Movement represented the American people's adventurous and tenacious spirit as
they explored new vistas and possibilities, eventually developing the diversified and vast
American way of life we know today.

Question 2:
Discuss Andrew Jackson and his role as U.S. President. What conflicts or controversies
occurred during his administration? (Identify at least one that you found.) What was
Andrew Jackson’s legacy as president?
Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837, played an
important and contentious role in American history. According to my knowledge, Jackson is
recognized for his strong-willed and aggressive leadership style. The Indian Removal Act of
1830 was a major battle during Jackson's administration (UNT Richland College History
Textbook). This strategy led to the forcible transfer of Native American tribes, most notably
the Cherokee, from their native territories in the Southeast to regions West of the
Mississippi River, known as the Trail of Tears. This sad occurrence is a dark blot on
American history, highlighting the displacement and suffering faced by indigenous peoples
throughout Jackson's reign. Another major point of contention was Jackson's position on the
Second Bank of the United States. He was adamantly opposed to the bank, feeling it
concentrated too much power in the hands of the privileged. He denied the bank's recharter
and then withdrew government deposits, causing the bank to fail. This action led to
economic instability throughout his reign. Jackson's presidency left an ambiguous legacy.
He is remembered for his leadership during the War of 1812 Battle of New Orleans and his
advocacy for the commoner, which epitomized the age of Jacksonian Democracy. His
strong tactics against Native Americans and the financial system, as well as his extension of
executive authority, are subjects of discussion and criticism in American history.

Question 3:

Identify at least one reform movement highlighted in Unit 3. What was this
movement? What significant impact did this movement have on American history?

Women's rights, which include Women's Suffrage, Property Rights, and the Temperance
Movement, are among the reform movements mentioned in Unit 3, in my opinion (Library
of Congress). The path taken by women to achieve independence was rather winding, and
speakers like Sojourner Truth, who was African American, had much worse hardships than
the average white woman. The movement had a huge influence on American history
because people really took action to achieve freedom; they spoke out loudly, and their
words had great significance. "I can do as much labor as any guy and have as much muscle
as any man. Can any man accomplish more than what I have already done—plow, harvest,
husk, cut, and mow? (UNT Richland College History Textbook). Additionally, the campaign
for women's rights has long pushed for women to have the freedom to vote, own property,
and pursue an education. The tradition that prohibited women from speaking in public was
challenged as women began to develop their voices.

Question 4:
What was your understanding of Manifest Destiny? How did this concept expand
America’s concept of moving West? What conflicts did the U.S. encounter with Mexico?
Who were some of the key leaders/figures involved in the conflicts with Mexico?

According to my understanding of Manifest Destiny, the goal was to implement it

throughout the whole North American continent. Manifest Destiny was based on the notion
that white Americans were compelled to go to North America and establish themselves
there. Intentionally destroying and eradicating the local population was the goal of this
action. The campaign for Manifest Destiny is said to have been heavily influenced by James
K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States. A belief that the United States was destined
to expand throughout North America is known as "Manifest Destiny” (UNT Richland
College History Textbook). The American mindset was shifted by this belief, which provided
people with a sense of legitimacy for their westward expansion. There were many wars and
revolutions that the United States of America fought against Mexico, the most notable of
which were the Mexican-American War and the Texas Revolution. Three major
personalities who were involved in these conflicts were James K. Polk, Stephen F. Austin,
and Sam Houston.
 Unit 4 Questions:

Question #3
Identify at least one of the campaigns/battles fought during this war that you understood
from the reading. What was the battle, and where did it occur? When was this battle, and
what was the outcome? How is this event significant to the study of U.S. history?

Unit 4 was when I learned about the Battle of Bull Run (American Battlefield Trust). Union
general Irwin McDowell marched his troops toward the Confederate army, expecting a
quick and easy victory. Some of the Northerners on the bench may have been so
irresponsible as to invite picnicking visitors to see the action. This is not the way to
approach a battle. Confederate soldiers were able to defeat Union forces after receiving
reinforcements. (UNT Richland College History Textbook). The Battle of Bull Run may have
been short and relatively insignificant, but it marked the beginning of the American Civil
War. It left an indelible mark on both parties. First, with 4,800 casualties on both sides, it
was clear that this conflict would be very brutal. A sobering realization that this would not
be a quick and simple battle was also sent to the North by this development. Congress
issued an urgent request for one million volunteers. The conflict bolstered the South's sense
of military dominance and led the Confederacy to overestimate its strength. Many in the
South thought they'd won the war (UNT Richland College History Textbook), the outcome of
this fight had a considerable impact on the course of the Civil War.
 Work Cited

American Battlefield Trust. “Battle of Bull Run Facts & Summary.” American Battlefield
Trust, 16 July 2018, www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/bull-run.
Editors, History com. “Westward Expansion.” HISTORY, 30 Sept. 2019,
www.history.com/topics/19th-century/westward-expansion.
Library of Congress. “Women’s Suffrage in the Progressive Era | Progressive Era to New
Era, 1900-1929 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the
Library of Congress | Library of Congress.” Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
20540 USA, Library of Congress, 2022, www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-
states-history-primary-source-timeline/progressive-era-to-new-era-1900-1929/
womens-suffrage-in-progressive-era/.
UNT Richland College History Textbook. (2008). revised 2023