Cause and Effect Assignment, Essay Example

1. Historical topic: What republic in the past did early Americans typically look to for guidance and insight (this is not in your textbook)? What architectural style is used for most of the public buildings in Washington D. C. and is this a coincidence (you won’t find the answer to this question in the textbook)?

Cause: France; many of the early founders of the constitution such as Franklin were influenced and adulated by France. They particularly were impressed with her cultural lavishness and glory

Effect: They imitated the country’s style in the construction of their buildings, particularly in their capital state

2. Historical topic: Describe the more salient aspects of the Articles of Confederation. What was the political philosophy behind the Articles and what were the flaws of America’s first government? (focus on political and economic problems)

Cause: the Articles intended to create a firm bond of friendship between the 13 states during the Civil war based on philosophy that nation should be united. However, the early government was divided in its support of slaves on economic and political grounds (federalists mainly supporting; anti-federalists mainly against)

Effect: The States could not be united in friendship during the Civil war since their agendas differed.

3. Historical topic: What were the Northwest Ordinances and how did the ordinances provide a framework for the future growth of the U. S.?

Cause: Instituted by Congress of the Confederation of the US that created the Northwest Territory as the first organized territory of the United States. Now the US could expand westward by admission of new states

Effect: Instead of country imploding in on itself, it could grow by expanding outward by creating new states on its boundaries

4. Historical topic: How successful were the United States’ diplomatic initiatives in its early history (ex. Jay’s Treaty)?

Cause: largely successful and triumphant e.g. peace mission to France with the Quasi War of 1798 and Jay’s Treaty with Briatin that was credited with averting war.

Effect: creating a confident and strong national government that could focus on developing internal concerns and that was respected by its citizens and admired by other countries and spurring it on to future growth.

5. Historical topic: What was Shays Rebellion, what caused it and how did it help lead to the Philadelphia Convention?

Cause: An armed uprising from central and western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787 led by poor farmers reacting against tax and seeking relief from debts. This unrest in Massachusetts and lack of resources with which Congress could respond to the crisis led to the desire to create new and stronger federal government (i.e. the Philadelphia Convention).

Effect: It strengthened the position of the federalists, namely those who wanted a stronger central government, and resulted in a new constitution with the power to raise money and to insure domestic tranquility.

6. Historical topic: Delineate the contributions that James Madison made to the creation of the U. S. Constitution. What were the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?

Cause: The principal author of the constitution. He wrote more than a third of the federalist papers, drafted many basic laws, and created the first 10 amendments. He also insisted that the republic needed a system of checks and balances to protect it from the tyranny of the majority. The Virginia Plan was a proposal for the structure of the US government presented by William Paterson where the states would be seen as independent entities. The Virginia plan however was for two houses of congress that would represent all the states. The Virginia Plan was triumphant with some ideas of the New Jersey plan added.

Effect: Instead of a divided States of America created each containing its own representative Congress, the nation was united in one whole with two systems of congress representing it. This arguably made for a stronger and more unified nation.

7. Historical topic: What is Connecticut’s “Great Compromise?” What is the “Three-Fifths Compromise?”

Cause: An agreement (1787) between large and small states that defined the legislative structure and representation that each state could have.

Effect: the current United States Senate and House of Representatives.

8. Historical topic: Why did the founding fathers create the Electoral College? What are the flaws of the Electoral College and are there any advantages to retaining the Electoral College today?

Cause: In order to have popularly elected electors who would formally elect president and Vice-president. Most American want direct rather than indirect election, say that it is archaic and undemocratic. Proponents, however, argue that it protects the rights of the smaller states.

Effect: Numerous constitutional amendments have sought to alert the College or replace it with direct vote. None of the proposal have been accepted.

9. Historical topic: Who were the Federalists and why were they more successful than the Anti-Federalists in getting their proposals accepted? What political ideas and philosophy did the Anti-Federalists stand for and what problems did they have with the proposed constitution? What are the Federalist Papers and what is their significance?

Cause: the Federalists wanted a strong central government; whereas the anti-federalists sought that each state should be independent with central governing system having equal power. Anti-federalists also were concerned that presidency would evolve into monarchy and many opposed slavery. The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles advocating ratification of the United States constitution.

Effect: The system of one strong central government was implemented and uniformly recognized by American citizens resulting in a stronger state.

10. Historical topic: Provide a brief sketch of the more important characteristics of the U. S. Constitution (branches of government, checks and balances, vetoes, commander-in-chief, etc).

Cause: Congress can enact laws to help them carry out their duty. Yet system of checks and balances in that congress cannot make laws anti freedom of speech, religion, or press; laws and treaties made by federal government are the supreme law of the land; no state should deprive anyone of life, liberty or property without due process of law

Effect: Has shaped the law that directs the country for all times and has made the country what it is.

11. Historical topic: What is the Judiciary Act of 1789 and why is it important?

Cause: It established the US federal judiciary and instituted that it should be vested in one Supreme Court.

Effect: The judicial courts of the US were structured and their program and way of running clearly formulated

12. Historical topic: What is the Bill of Rights and how and why were these amendments added to the U. S. Constitution? (Do not simply copy and paste the ten amendments for this answer. You can summarize them but don’t forget to answer HOW and WHY these amendments were added to the U. S. Constitution.)

Cause: The first 10 amendments to the Constitution added to it by James Madison (1789) as legislative articles in order to serve as system of checks and balances on US government.

Effect: it would serve to protect the rights of liberty and property of the weaker from the more powerful and of the American people from the government.

13. Historical topic: Contrast the views of a “strict constructionist” from a “broad constructionist” and which school of thought did the Federalists and Anti-federalists generally belong to?

Cause: “strict constructionist” limits or restricts judicial interpretation (generally anti-federalist); broad constructionist on the other hand referred to the reverse – the position of federalists.

Effect: Both exist in the US as system on the one hand of controlling government, on the other of enabling it to have necessary power.

14. Historical topic: Provide a brief sketch of the presidency of George Washington (major events, successes, failure, etc.).

Cause: first president of the US; the dominant military and political leader from 1775 to 1797 leading the Americans to victory against the British in the American revolutionary war, and presiding over writing of the constitution.

Effect: he is known as the Father of the American nation.

15. Historical topic: Provide a brief biographical sketch of Alexander Hamilton and the contributions he made to the Washington administration (specifically his economic plan)?

Cause: the first US Secretary of the Treasury, a Founding Father, economist, and philosopher. He wrote most of the Federalist papers, and established the funding of the State’s debts by Federal government, the establishment of the national bank, and system of tariffs.

Effect: Much of today’s American economic bases and pattern of life can be attributed to Hamilton. He is, in fact, considered the man behind the American economic way of thinking.

16. Historical topic: Contrast Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s “future visions” and economic goals for America and discuss which vision eventually prevailed.

Cause: Jefferson wanted an agrarian decentralized America, whereas Hamilton sought to unite America under on economic plan and system

Effect: America exists and functions under Hamilton’s recommendations as per for instance the Bank of America.

17. Historical topic: Describe the Whisky Rebellion and why it was significant?

Cause: A tax protest in Pennsylvania in the1790s under the presidency of Washington successfully squashed by the government.

Effect: significant in that nation realized that government had and would use the power to squash insurrectionists.

18. Historical topic: What are some of the more important points of George Washington’s farewell address and are they still relevant today?

Cause: that the American government had to function with belief in God; that too much power should not rest in one party for otherwise would threaten freedom of people; that it should seek peace with its neighbors, and should reject internal sectarianism.

Effect: has had an impact on the formation of the American nation and the way the nation seeks to be.

19. Historical topic: Provide a brief sketch of the presidency of John Adams (major events, successes, failure, etc.).

Cause: American statesman, diplomat and political theorist, 2^nd president of the United States and leading champion of Independence in 1776. Negotiated Peace treaty with Britain signed the Alien and Sedition Act, built the Army and navy.

Effect: contributed greatly to America’s security

20. Historical topic: What was the XYZ Affair? What was the Quasi-War and how was it resolved?

Cause: a diplomatic event that strained relations between France and US led to quasi war (undeclared naval war), there was abrogation of the Franco-American alliance but negations resolved the crisis

Effect: stronger relationship with France and construction of American naval force.

21. Historical topic: What are the Alien Act and Sedition Acts (1798) and what prompted the passage of these acts?

Cause: four bills passed in 1798 during Quasi War to protect US from alien citizens of enemy powers

Effect: a controversial Bill that became unpopular particularly during the Two World wars when immigration into US was limited and restricted.

22. Historical topic: What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions and what prompted the passage of these resolutions?

Cause: political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 where Kentucky and Virginia legislatures refused to abide by Alien Ac, since they declared them unconstitutional.

Effect: the precedent later led anti-slavery activists to quote the Resolutions to call on Northern states to nullify unconstitutional enforcement f the law.

23. Historical topic: How were presidents and vice-presidents elected during the early part of American history and what problems did this lead to in the election of 1800? How does all this relate to the Twelve Amendment?

Cause: According to the greatest amount of votes in the College of Electors. This led to a tied vote whereupon the 12^th Amendment stipulated that each – President and vice – should be elected separately.

Effect: This effected the way that voting is conducted today, with each voted in separately

24. Historical topic: Why does the textbook refer to the 1800 election as the “revolution of 1800” and why was this so “revolutionary?”

Cause: Change from Federalist leadership to Republican

Effect: It changed the political aspect of the US

25. Historical topic: What happened to the Alien and Sedition Acts when Jefferson took office as president and what does this say about the political philosophy of Jefferson?

Cause: Enforcement of the Act ended although sedition and incarceration provision were resurrected, indicating Jefferson’s tolerant character.

Effect: Over the years Congress has had to repeatedly offer recompense to victims of this Act.

26. Historical topic: What was the importance of John Marshall’s tenure as Supreme Court Chief Justice? What is the significance of the Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court decision?

Cause: the longest tenure; 34 years; the Supreme Court set forth the main structural lines of the government. Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court decision: whether congress could expand the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Effect: This was the first time the Supreme Court declared something unconstitutional and established the concept of judicial review.

27. Historical topic: What was the Louisiana Purchase and what was the focus of the debate over the purchase of this territory? How did Jefferson justify making this purchase even though it was theoretically against his own political philosophy (strict constructionism)?

Cause: America’s acquisition to the French-claimed property of Louisiana in 1803, justified by Jefferson in that it was protecting US from blocking American trade access to New Orleans

Effect: Affirmed power of the States.

28. Historical topic: Describe the purpose and significance of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

Cause: The first overland expedition by the US to the Pacifica and back, in order to gain an accurate sense of the resources involved in the Louisiana Purchase.

Effect: laid groundwork for much of the westward expansion of US.

29. Historical topic: What were Jefferson’s view on African-Americans and Native Americans and why are his views on African-Americans ironic in light of what we know about Jefferson today?

Cause: A prominent slaveholder who asserted that Negroes were an inferior race; yet he signed the Declaration of Independence promising ‘freedom and equality to all and that slavery should be abolished

Effect: led to conflicting and schizophrenic views in American nation on slavery and to views on Blacks.

30. Historical topic: What was the Second Great Awakening and what were some of its main religious ideas? What conditions led to its emergence and how did it promote social cohesion in the west?

Cause: religious revival movement in early 19^th century America that asserted Second Coming of Jesus and sought to abolish evils of American society.

Effect: led to reforms in temperance, women’s rights, and abolitionism and to other mainstream political actions.

31. Historical topic: What were the Essex Junto and the Hartford Convention? Why did New Englanders feel at odds with the rest of the country during this period and how did their position eventually help to lead to the demise of the Federalist Party?

Cause: a group of lawyers and merchants who supported Hamilton and the Massachusetts radicals.

Effect: They later (after Hamilton’s death) became more radical and proposed secession from New England.

32. Historical topic: What were the Napoleonic Wars? What was America’s trading policies with England and France during the early part of the Napoleonic Wars and why did France and England have a problem with the United States’ openly trading with both of these countries?

Cause: A series of conflicts declared against napoleon’s French Empire. America continued trading with both countries that being at war with one another disliked this.

Effect: it ended following Napoleon’s defeat in Waterloo

33. Historical topic: What was the British policy of impressments and how did the British justify impressing Americans? Why did this anger Americans and what did British impressments eventually lead to in 1812?

Cause: Act of compelling men into navy by force because of wartime, angered Americans because of injustice leading to War of 1812

Effect: War of 1812.

34. Historical topic: What did France and England do to prevent the United States from shipping goods to either country (ex. Berlin and Milan Decrees)? What was the Embargo of 1808 about and how did this embargo affect the U. S. economy?

Cause: American laws that restricted American ships from engaging in foreign trade. US economy suffered

Effect: US economy suffered

35. Historical topic: Describe the election of 1808 and provide a brief sketch of the presidency of James Madison (major events, successes, failures, etc.

Cause: Strong Republican backing for Madison that made him President. See biography above.

Effect: Propelled Madison into power making him US second president.

36. Historical topic: Who were the War Hawks and why did they feel the way that they did? What were the causes of the War of 1812?

Cause: members of the 12^th congress of the US who advocated waging war against Britain in 1812. Because of factors such as trading restrictions and impressments of American men into British navy.

Effect: They triumphed

37. Historical topic: What were the implications for the U. S. when Napoleon fell from power during the War of 1812? What important public buildings did the British burn down in 1814? Why is the Battle of Fort McHenry remembered today?

Cause: British burned the capitol and almost all public buildings in Washington. Fort McHenry successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from attack by British navy.

Effect: war of 1812 where American fought against and triumphed against the British.

38. Historical topic: Provide a brief sketch of Andrew Jackson and his actions during the War of 1812. What was the significance of the Battle of New Orleans and what was the unusual thing about the “timing” of this battle?

Cause: 7^th president of US. Jackson’s 5000 soldiers won over 7,500 British troops.

Effect: Helped him alter become president; accorded him popularity with Americans.

39. Historical topic: What were the reasons for both the Americans and the British seeking peace negotiations at the end of the War of 1812 and what were the peace terms of the Treaty of Ghent?

Cause: The Americans won. The treaty released all prisoners and restored all lands and boats.

Effect: peace between Britain and US, allowing Britain to concentrate on Napoleon when he escaped from Elba.

40. Historical topic: What happened to textile manufacturing in the United States as a result of the War of 1812? What was the cotton gin and what were the consequences for cotton production and slavery in the south as a result of this invention?

Cause: It led to cotton shortages in the US leading to creation of a cotton-manufacturing industry

Effect: It improved manufacturing and helped make US more independent also led to construction of Erie canal.

41. Historical topic: What is the Era of Good Feelings and what were the conditions that contributed to the emergence of this tranquil era? Provide a brief sketch of the presidency of James Monroe.

Cause: 1816-1824 when partisan bitterness abated during Monroe who was fifth President and last Founding father of US; served two terms; is famed for Monroe Doctrine, which stated that America would not tolerate further European intervention in the Americas.

Effect: Made America more stable country; prevented European interference.

42. Historical topic: What is the American System and how did Henry Clay generate support for this system?

Cause: An increase in tariffs to promote American industry, and a strong national bank. As statesman, orator, and secretary of state, he campaigned vigorously for his platforms.

Effect: The American System was not successful.

43. Historical topic: What are tariffs and why did the Republicans advocate tariffs to promote American industry after the War of 1812? What section of the U. S. supported tariffs and why? What section(s) of the country opposed tariffs and why (be sure to illustrate how tariffs increased sectionalism)?

Cause: tariffs = taxes; hoped to fund falling and start-up businesses and to protect Americans from low wages of Europeans. The Hawks supported tariffs. The people naturally opposed therefore led to increased sectionalism.

Effect: In the end it was adopted tariffs speedily rising higher and higher until it became ridiculed by 1828.

44. Historical topic: What is the significance of the Supreme Court case, Dartmouth v. Woodward (1819) and how did this decision protect institutions and foster economic growth in the U. S.?

Cause: It dealt with the application of the Contract Clause of the US constitution to private corporations. The pr4sident of college was deposed by trustees, leading to attempts to force college to become public property. Supreme Court upheld charter of college.

Effect: resulted in the rise of the American business corporation

45. Historical topic: What was the Monroe Doctrine and which European power helped to support it and why (otherwise, it would not have been taken seriously by other foreign nations)?

Cause: 1823. Any further aggression by Europe to colonize lands or interfere with states in the Americas would be viewed as aggression requiring US intervention. Britain helped support it.

Effect: helped US emerge as World superpower

46. Historical topic: What is the Panic of 1819 and discuss it causes and consequences?

Cause: first major financial crisis in US. Probably due to a failure of the original banking system.

Effect: changes in financial system and market and Laws such as that of Land Act and Relief Act.

47. Historical topic: What was the Missouri Compromise and how does it relate to sectionalism?

Cause: Agreement in 1820 between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Congress involving regulation of slavery in western territories. The disputes involved competition between northern and southern states for power in Congress and for control over future territories.

Effect: one of the effects, slavery was excluded from Missouri territory. It had an encouraging effect on the anti-slavery fight

48. Historical topic: Describe the election of 1824 and how this election finally resolved. What was the “Corrupt Bargain” and what happened to the Republican Party as a result of this election? (By the way, this is not the same Republican Party that we have today)

Cause: John Adams was elected president by an astounding more votes than Jackson (it was expected Jackson would be appointed. Clay, Speaker of the house who supported the American System had expected that he would be voted, so, disappointed, he threw his vote to Adams.  Adams appointed Clay secretary of state, essentially declaring him heir to Presidency. Jackson 4 years later campaigning on this platform was later appointed.

Effect: Jackson was elected president by a large majority of the Electors in 1828

49. Historical topic: Describe the main events of the presidency of John Quincy Adams. Was Adam’s presidency successful, why or why not?

Cause: sixth president. Proposed a program of modernization and educational advancement but was stymied by enemies. Largely unsuccessful since he lacked political suaveness and popularity.

Effect: Shaped America’s foreign policy in line with his conservative and nationalistic leanings.