Review for the Test

The test will cover everything from the end of the Revolutionary War to the 1830s (Andrew Jackson).

Here is a link to help you review for the test.

Review Questions

The test will only cover questions from 

2d	Federalist Era
2e	Age of Jackson
2f	Manifest Destiny

Hope this helps !

Homework- 10/27-28

The Legacy of Indian Removal

Assessing the Legacy of Indian Removal

"The command for a removal came unexpectedly upon most of us. . . Wagons stopped at our home and the men in charge commanded us to gather what few belongings could be crowded into the wagons.We were to be taken away and leave our homes never to return. This was just the beginning of much weeping and heartaches . . . most of us had not foreseen such a move in this fashion or at this time. 
We were not prepared, but times became more horrible after the real journey was begun. Many fell by the wayside, too faint with hunger or too weak to keep up with the rest. The aged, feeble, and sick were left to perish by the wayside. A crude bed was quickly prepared for these sick and weary people. Only a bowl of water was left within reach, thus they were left to suffer and die alone." — Creek Mary Hill, recounting her grandmother's experience migrating to Oklahoma Territory

Andrew Jackson signed into law over 70 Indian removal treaties. During his presidency, more than forty thousand Indians were moved westward mostly without their consent, opening millions of acres of land to American settlers and cotton planters. Even before the Cherokees were forced to Indian Territory in 1838, the Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks had already been removed from their lands. By the 1840s, the vast majority of Indians in the American south had been relocated.

In the nineteenth century, along with the southern Indian nations, the U.S. government resettled portions of at least sixty Indian tribes, totaling several hundred thousand Indians. The Oneida, Brothertons, and Mohicans were moved from New York and western Massachusetts to Wisconsin. Others like the Dakota and Lakota of Minnesota were resettled in the Dakotas and Nebraska after the Sioux "uprising" of the early 1860s. After two hundred and fifty years of settler expansion, the Lenapi, who originally lived in present-day New Jersey, ended up in Indian Territory in 1867. The Chiricahua Apaches, moved from Arizona in 1889, were among the last to be exiled from their former homes. Many of these tribes suffered "trails of tears" and untold numbers perished during their difficult journeys and while attempting to reestablish themselves in a new land.

1. How does Jackson's legacy of Indian removal affect his own legacy as president?

2. How could Indian removal have been handled differently? Could there have been a compromise? Explain.

Each answer must be at least 1 paragraph.

Homework- 10/25/10

After the War of 1812 ended with the Treaty of Ghent, an important battle still occurred in Louisiana.

The Battle of New Orleans

Read the article from the link above and answer the following:

1. Who fought in the battle? Which groups?
2. How did Andrew Jackson make a name for himself during the battle?
3. Why was the Battle of New Orleans so important?

Each answer must be at least a paragraph.

Extra Credit

During our lesson on pioneers, an interesting side conversation developed. Some students began expressing their desire to leave Queens. So that gave me an idea for this extra credit.

Answer the following question in 2 paragraphs for +5 on the next test:

Where would you want to move to? Why

(or if you don't want to leave Queens)

Why do you want to stay in Queens? Is there anywhere else you would consider moving to?

Deadline: Friday, Oct. 22

Homework- 10/20-21

In light of our present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their Fathers conquered...I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies... The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."


Do you agree or disagree with Jefferson's quote?


Explain your opinion in 2 paragraphs.


Anything less than 2 paragraphs will receive no credit.

Homework- 10/18-19

The Pioneer Way of Life in America


Pioneer life spread across the vast wilderness in less than 3 centuries. The first landings from Europe were in Massachusetts and Virginia and continued pushing ever westward into the new frontier. All different people from all walks of life were pioneers. There were trappers, hunter, miners, frontier soldiers and the pioneer farmers. Some pioneers were adventurous and on the go while others carved themselves out farms and homes in the wilderness. No matter what kind of pioneer he or she was, they had to rely on themselves and the land to stay alive. It's amazing how ingenious these people were. They took advantage of the plentiful wild game and fruits, nuts, plants and trees growing in the wilderness. They built their homes and furniture by splitting trees. They tapped syrup from the trees in the spring to make maple syrup. Salt was obtained by boiling the water of saline springs. 

Their way of life was filled with work and chores. The women crafted household goods such as pails and dippers out of the gourds that grew around them. They made soap from wood ash and molded candles from tallow. Clothes were made from wool and linen and animal skins that were tanned. They hunted for game, worked in the fields and split rails to make fences. They also had to take care of their livestock. The children worked just a hard as their parents. The girls mended clothes, baked, made soup and candles, pounded dried corn to make cornmeal and helped their mothers. The boys learned to fell timber and split wood for the fire. They hauled water from a nearby stream, hoed in the fields and helped their fathers with other chores. It was both the boy's and girl's responsibility to chase animals such as deer, squirrels and rabbits from the cornfield. Winter was hard on the pioneer family. In extremely cold weather they stayed in their cabins, sitting around the fire to keep warm. Food was monotonous since there were no fresh vegetables or fruits available. But the pioneers were a strong people and usually weathered the winter successfully. 


Since there were no drug stores, the pioneers had to learn to make their own medicines. Herbs were used for healing many ailments. Boneset was used to lower a fever, and pennyroyal was used to purify the blood. Cherry root horseradish and witch hazel were made into syrups and salves, while a chest cold was helped by rubbing the chest with goose grease and then a mustard plaster was applied. Pioneer families were normally large, and usually there was always a young child in the family. They needed large families to help out on their homesteads. Neighbors were pretty much essential and were valued on the frontier. House- raising, log rolling, barn- raising and hunts were a community affair.When we look back at these rugged pioneer people, it's hard to believe that they survived! But they did, and they paved the way for future generations to form our land to become what it is today.

Would Americans today have what it takes to be pioneers? 

Explain in 2 paragraphs.

Web Quest (a.k.a Extra Credit )

Complete the following to receive +10 on the last test:

- Find an interesting or effective Youtube video about the Articles of Confederation.
- In your comment, include the link to the video and a 1 paragraph explanation about why the video is interesting or effective.

Homework- 10/4-5/10

Select 2 amendments from the U.S. Bill of Rights and explain the importance of each one.

Answer in at least 2 paragraphs.