Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta represents among the most pivotal occurrences in the medieval period. In essence, it refers to a document signed by King John after being pressurized by his subjects. By signing the Magna Carta, King John minimized his influence over the Monarch. The signing of this document took place on June 15th 1215. The Barons and Stephen Langton were key role players towards the signing of the Magna Carta (Garnet 61). Although the document was initially meant for the English people, it has extensive influence on American history. This is because it forms the basis of American liberties. In addition to British dominions, Magna Carta has had extensive influence on the constitution formulation process in many countries such as South Africa and New Zealand.
Mercantilism
Mercantilism comprises of an economic doctrine that largely focused on a government’s manipulation of foreign trade. This doctrine was predominant in the 16th and 17th centuries as western countries sought to exert economic influence on other nations. The core objective of mercantilism was to enhance a country’s wealth through extensive regulatory mechanisms (Engle 75). One of the key features of mercantilism is that countries limited the maximum wage in order to increase the money available to the government. Additionally, the establishment of foreign colonies was an outstanding attribute of mercantilism.
John Locke’s contract theory
John Locke was a British scholar who lived between 1632 and 1704. He had extensive influence on political philosophy. One of John Locke’s most notable contributions was the development of the social contract theory. In essence, this theory focuses on social influences on individuals. For instance, the social contract theory seeks to examine the behavior of individuals is influenced by legal and natural rights. John Locke’s postulations for the social contract theory stipulate that God’s law should always take preeminence over human rule (Simpson 87). Despite the extensive influence of the theory during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was gradually replaced by more dynamic models such as utilitarianism in subsequent centuries.
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga refers to an insurgency war pitting the British Army and continental forces from the United States of America. This took place during the months of September and October in 1777 in Saratoga. The British forces were under the stewardship of John Burgoyne while the American troops were led by Horatio Gates. During the battle, the main bone of contention was the separation of the southern colonies from New England (Gallagher 71). The battle took a twist when the French forces supported the American troops. This was a significant turning point that handed the initiative to the Continental Army.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia resolutions refer to laws that sought to remonstrate against the Alien and Sedition Acts. These resolutions were passed in 1798 and 1799 respectively. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were instrumental figures towards the drafting and enactment of the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions (Donovan 19). These resolutions stipulated that individual states had the power and autonomy to reject some federal laws if deemed unconstitutional. It is vital to note that Thomas Jefferson’s involvement in drafting these resolutions remained a secret until after two and a half decades. These resolutions had extensive significance towards the American Civil War in 19th Century.
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a legislation enacted by the United States Congress in 1820. In essence, this legislation revolved around the issue of slavery. The bone of contention was whether to admit the pro-slavery states into the Union. Missouri was technically a pro-slavery state because it some of its regions perpetrated this practice. Consequently, some members of United States Senate were openly against the admission of Missouri into the union (Reid 98). On the other hand, supporters of slave trade advocated for the admission of Missouri. As with the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, the Missouri Compromise had some form of influence towards the eruption of the American Civil War.
Nullification Theory
Nullification is a theory which stipulates that states are entitled to accept or reject the constitutionality of federal laws. According to the theory, states are autonomous entities and should thus have more powers than federal courts. This theory has its roots in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions drafted by Thomas Jefferson and his counterpart, James Madison (Grant 101). Despite the different stipulations enshrined in the nullification theory, the United States Constitution affirms that Federal laws are superior that state legislature. Consequently, the application of the nullification theory is not possible in accordance with the stipulations of the Constitution.
Whig Party
The Whig Party was largely active between 1834 and 1854. The main rationale behind the establishment of this party was a remonstration of some policies from the Democratic Party. This party advocated for the United States Congress to have more powers than the President. Some members of the Congress felt that Andrew Jackson had too much influence over the affairs of the government. In essence, the Whig Party had borrowed some of its philosophies from a British political party which had similar interests (Woodworth 97).
Rebirth of Slavery
The rebirth of slavery refers to a period in American history which was characterized by the reemergence of salve trade. This mainly took place towards the latter stages of the 18th Century and the initial stages of the 19th Century. Some of the southern states expressed dissatisfaction with the federal policies on slavery. They felt that the illegalization of slavery would hamper economic progress. Consequently, such states continued to perpetrate slave activities (Hagerman 86). Another vital perspective with regard to the rebirth of slave trade is the American Civil War. In essence, this war pitted the proslavery states against the antislavery states.
John Marshall
John Marshall is most noted for his role as the 4th Chief Justice of USA. Born on 1755, Marshall died in 1835 at the age of 80. He held the position of chief justice for thirty years. This makes him the longest serving holder of this post in the history of the United States. During his reign, he spearheaded efforts to empower the Supreme Court with greater autonomy. During the reign of John Adams, John Marshall was in-charge of the foreign affairs docket as the Secretary of State (Ritter 70). Additionally, John Marshall had extensive influence on American politics especially in terms of American federalism.
John Calhoun
John C. Calhoun was an outspoken American politician who held different roles in the public docket. Born in 1782, Calhoun died 68 years later. His notable roles in the American public ranged from serving as a vice president to being a member of the House of Representatives. John Calhoun is also noted for his support of slavery in the southern states. In defending his philosophies, Calhoun tried to convince fellow lawmakers about the benefits of slavery (Jones 64). Towards the twilight of his career in politics, Calhoun came out as a strong advocate of nullification.
Indian Removal Act
On 28th May 1830, President Andrew Jackson enacted the Indian Removal Act. This was a highly controversial act that provided for the eviction of Indians into western states. This law elicited extensive support as well as remonstration from the public. For instance, the Christian missionaries viewed the act as a retrogressive law that violated fundamental human rights. On the other hand, proponents of the Removal Act perceived it as an excellent stepping stone towards the mitigation of the escalating conflicts in southern states especially Georgia (Holt 115). The open dismissal by leading figures such as President Lincoln highlighted the controversy that characterized the Indian Removal Act.
The 1848 presidential elections
The 1848 presidential elections in the United States took place on 7th November. This was the sixteenth time that the presidential elections were being held after 4 four years. The main contenders for the top seat were Lewis Cass, Matt Buren and Zachary Taylor. Eventually, the latter emerged victorious to take his place as the 12th President (Woodworth 36). This election was unique in that it occurred concurrently across all jurisdictions in the United States. However, Zachary Taylor won this election by the slightest of margins. This is because he garnered 163 electoral votes compared to Cass’s 127.
James Polk
Born in 1795, James Polk was the eleventh head of state in the USA. He assumed the mantle on 4th March 1845 to succeed John Tyler. Previously, John Polk had also held the governor’s seat in the Tennessee state for three years. During Polk’s reign as American head of state, George Dallas was his vice president. A staunch Democrat, James Polk had established himself as a successful legal counsel before venturing into politics (Ritter 17). He is also recalled for his open dismissal of the Wilmot Proviso. His fiscal policies as president were also questioned by most policymakers.
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was an occurrence that had significant bearing on the Civil War. The Wilmot Proviso stipulated that the slavery would be illegal in all jurisdictions acquired by the United States during its war with Mexico. The Wilmot Proviso also called for numerous amendments in the constitution in order to facilitate for the legalization of free labor. David Wilmot was the man behind this event. In essence, he presented the proviso to lawmakers on 8th August 1946 (Reid 29). As with other draft proposals, the Wilmot Proviso elicited support from some lawmakers as well as criticism from other quarters.
Manifest destiny
Manifest destiny comprises of a belief system in the USA that the country was certain to increase in terms of geographical size. This was during the 19th Century. In essence, there were mixed reactions among Americans towards manifest destiny. Whereas some people perceived it as reality, other doubted its practicability. The manifest destiny had extensive implications upon the American political scene. For instance, it was used the Democratic regime to vindicate the necessity for Americans to venture into the Mexican war (Holt 25). This belief system also had tremendous influence for the government’s campaign to assume control over the entire state of Oregon.
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor assumed the mantle as the twelfth USA president in 1849. However, his short stint as president lasted just over a year. He died in 1850 under questionable circumstances. Millard Fillmore was Taylor’s vice president. Taylor’s presidency was characterized by inexperience in foreign policy. For instance, President Taylor put the USA on a collision course with Portugal and France. It is also vital to note that President Taylor was famed for his high-handed style of leadership. Although he subscribed to some of the policies by the Whig party, he had independent leadership philosophies (Grant 96).
Popular sovereignty
Popular sovereignty is a doctrine which advocates for political power to be entrusted to the people. John Locke’s social contract theory had extensive influence upon the publicity of the doctrine of popular sovereignty. Additionally, Republicanism was also a significant school of thought that had substantial influence on the doctrine of popular sovereignty. One of the most notable aspects of this doctrine is that people should have superiority over rulers. In essence, it advocates for the latter category to be servants. In addition to John Locke, Thomas Hobbes also had significant influence upon the development of the doctrine of popular sovereignty (Donovan 82). Opponents of slavery used this doctrine to justify their viewpoints.
The compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 encompasses an enactment that sought to alleviate tensions between the northern Free states and the proslavery states. This enactment ended extensive deliberations on the legality of slavery in the jurisdictions captured during the Mexican war. Henry Clay was the most notable figure behind the formulation of the Compromise of 1850. Up until his tragic death, Zachary Taylor had also sought to streamline the efficiency of the compromise (Reid 40). Despite the overall positive reception of the agreement, it still elicited concerns from some quarters. For instance, some requests from California representatives were not considered while drafting the Compromise of 1850.
Stephen Douglas
Stephen Douglas was a charismatic politician from Illinois. He is noted for his challenge to Abraham Lincoln during the presidential elections of 1860. Excellent in debates, Stephen Douglas held the post of Illinois senator from 1847 to 1861. Prior to his election as a senator, Stephen Douglas had also served as a member of the USA House of Representatives. Douglas was among the most vocal figures of democracy in the 19thCentury (Hagerman 86). For instance, he expressed strong opposition towards any form of human suppression including slavery.
Bleeding Kansas
Bleeding Kansas occurred for seven years between 1854 and1861 in the state of Kansas. Essentially, it comprised of aggressive political disputes between the supporters and opponents of slavery in the USA. During this conflict, the bone of contention revolved around the issue of admitting Kansas as a salve state or as a free state. Horace Greeley was the chief architect of the phrase “Bleeding Kansas”. This political confrontation had extensive implications towards drawing the battle lines during the American Civil War. In essence, the southern states supported the admission of Kansas as a slave state while northerners supported the admission of this jurisdiction as a free state (Reid 55).
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin refers to a H. Stowe’s publication sated 1852. In this literary work, Stowe addresses the issue of slavery in the USA from numerous angles. Most analysts perceive this publication as having had tremendous implications on the eruption and course of the Civil War. The publication is highly emotional and centers on Uncle Tom who happens to be an African American slave. While writing the book, Stowe emphasized how Christianity can help in correcting social injustices such as slavery and suppression of innocent people (Grant 87). This novel served as a monumental inspiration for anti-slavery movements in the United States.
The Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas Nebraska Act refers to a legislature that sought to recognize Nebraska and Kansas as independent jurisdictions. This legislation was enacted in 1854 and aligned to the doctrine of popular sovereignty. The main force behind the formulation of the formulation of this act was Stephen Douglas. Under the stipulations of this act, states had the autonomy to determine whether to embrace or illegalize slavery. This act also formed the basis of the passionate debates pitting Douglas and Abraham Lincoln (Ritter 81). Additionally, this act had far reaching implications on the outcome of the “Bleeding Kansas” confrontations.
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter serves as the epicenter of the Civil War in the United States. The offensives of Fort Sumter took place for three consecutive days from 12th April 1861. These offensives triggered the extensive battles between the northern and southern states. The implications of these bombardments were extremely extensive on the course of the Civil War (Donovan 56). Fort Sumter serves as a significant symbol of the Civil War. During the bombardments, thousands of people lost their residences while others lost their lives.
The Trent Affair
The Trent Affair is among the most significant events of that occurred during the Civil War in United States. This affair almost led to the incidence of battles between the United States and Britain. The southern troops sent representatives to Britain in order to seek its support during the war. The Confederacy also sought the support of France in the war. However, this created a confrontation between both sides and Britain (Woodworth 61). However, a physical battle never ensued because the confrontations were resolved through diplomatic means. The Trent Affair also formed the basis of neutrality from leading European forces towards the Civil War.
References
Donovan, Timothy. The American Civil War. Garden City, NY: Square One Publishers, 2002
Engle, Stephen. The American Civil War: The war in the west. Osceola, WI: Osprey Publishing, 2001
Gallagher, Gary. The American Civil War: The mighty scourge of war. Osceola, WI: Osprey Publishing, 2003
Garnet, Viscount. The American Civil War: An English view. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1964
Grant, Susan. & Reid, Brian. Themes of the American Civil War : The war between the states. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis, 2010
Hagerman, Edward. The American Civil War and the origins of modern warfare. Indiana University Press, 1992
Holt, Michael. The rise and fall of the American Whig Party. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 2003
Jones, Howard. Abraham Lincoln and new birth of freedom. University of Nebraska Press, 2002
Reid, Brian. America’s Civil War: The operational battlefield. Prometheus Books, 2008
Ritter, C. Leaders of Civil War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1998
Simpson, Brooks. & Link, Arthur. America’s Civil War. Harlan Davidson, 1996
Woodworth, Stephen. The American Civil War: A handbook of literature and research. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1996
Woodworth, Steven. Cultures in conflict: The American Civil War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000
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