Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Gibbons v. Ogden

Accepted Answer

Gibbons v. Ogden was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1824 that dealt with the issue of federal power over interstate commerce. The case arose when Thomas Gibbons, a steamboat operator, challenged the monopoly granted to Aaron Ogden by the state of New York to operate steamboats on the Hudson River. Gibbons argued that the federal government had the authority to regulate interstate commerce, including navigation on the river, and that the state-granted monopoly was unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gibbons, establishing the principle that the federal government has the power to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. This decision significantly expanded the scope of federal authority and limited the ability of states to regulate commerce within their borders. The case also set a precedent for future interpretations of the Commerce Clause and has had a lasting impact on the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Erie Canal

Accepted Answer

The Erie Canal is a historic waterway in the United States, which was once a vital transportation route connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. The canal stretches approximately 363 miles (584 km) from Albany, New York on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York at Lake Erie. It was completed on October 26, 1825, under the direction of New York Governor DeWitt Clinton.

The construction of the Erie Canal was a significant engineering feat for its time. It involved the excavation of a channel, the building of aqueducts to carry the canal over rivers and ravines, and the creation of locks to manage changes in elevation. The canal originally had 83 locks and a width of 40 feet and a depth of 4 feet, which was later expanded.

The significance of the Erie Canal lies in its profound impact on the economic and social development of the United States during the 19th century. It greatly reduced the cost and time of transportation between the Western frontier and the Eastern seaboard, which facilitated westward expansion, helped New York City become a major trading hub, and contributed to the growth of the American economy. The canal also encouraged the movement of people, leading to the growth of new towns and cities along its route.

The Erie Canal is often credited with contributing to the decline of sectionalism in favor of a more united national identity, as it linked the interests of the Northeast with those of the Midwest. It is also seen as a catalyst for the Industrial Revolution in the United States by providing a means for the distribution of raw materials and manufactured goods.

Today, the Erie Canal is part of the New York State Canal System and continues to serve as a recreational waterway. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and remains a symbol of American ingenuity and determination.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Five Civilized Tribes

Accepted Answer

The Five Civilized Tribes is a term that refers to five Native American nations: the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole. These groups were considered "civilized" by Anglo-European settlers during the colonial and early federal periods because they had adopted many of the colonists' customs and had generally good relations with their neighbors.

Significant facts about the Five Civilized Tribes include:

1. **Adoption of European Customs**: These tribes adopted various aspects of European-American culture, such as centralized governments, written constitutions, Christianity, farming practices, and even chattel slavery in some cases.

2. **Cherokee Nation**: The Cherokee were known for their written language, developed by Sequoyah in 1821. They published newspapers in their language and had a constitution modeled after the United States.

3. **Trail of Tears**: In the 1830s, under the Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson, these tribes were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated "Indian Territory" west of the Mississippi River, primarily present-day Oklahoma. The Cherokee's removal in 1838-1839 is particularly known as the Trail of Tears, during which thousands died from exposure, disease, and starvation.

4. **Sovereignty and Legal Battles**: These tribes were recognized as domestic dependent nations, a classification that has led to numerous legal battles over sovereignty, land, and civil rights. Notably, the 1832 Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia established that states could not impose their laws on Native American lands, although this decision was largely ignored by the state of Georgia and the federal government at the time.

5. **Civil War Involvement**: Some of these tribes were split in allegiance during the American Civil War, with some members fighting for the Confederacy and others for the Union.

6. **Modern-Day Recognition**: Today, these tribes are recognized as sovereign nations within the United States, maintaining their own governments, laws, and infrastructure. They continue to contribute to the political, cultural, and economic landscapes.

The term "Five Civilized Tribes" is somewhat controversial as it reflects a Eurocentric view that devalues the cultures and civilizations of Native American peoples that did not adopt European customs. It is important to recognize the resilience and contributions of these tribes, as well as the injustices they have faced throughout history.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. Andrew Jackson

Accepted Answer