US History Exam

Jasmine Windham
U.S. History I
Dr. Anderson
MWF 10:40-11:30 A.M.
September 30, 2013

1. Wars often produce unintended consequences. How was that the case for the American people during and after the Revolutionary War?
During this war it lasted longer than it was expected. It also brought confusion with the Native Americans and encouraged the new nation to withstand its need for a foreign policy. Numerous Americans were involved in a heated debate between Federalists and Anti Federalist. This debate was lead to the Philadelphia convention, which brought drastic changes to the national government.

2. Some African Americans supported the struggle for American independence, but countless others did not. Explain the difference.
The African Americans who supported were encouraged by the war’s confusion. In addition to that were also led by the conversations of their masters talking about the increase of freedom among black Americans. This gave majority of the slaves the courage to fight for their rights, but others were discouraged. Due to the Native Americans (Indians) continuing to treat them as slaves. Another reason some African Americans didn’t was because neither congress nor states were excited to see them free.

3. The peace treaty ending the Revolutionary War set the western boundary of the United States at the Mississippi River. What problems did the new territory west of the Appalachian Mountains pose for the new nation; and how effectively did Congress handle these problems during the 1780s?
Spain and other areas west of Mississippi closed the mouth of the Mississippi River to American shipping, which had a tremendous effect on western settler’s products. Congress operated as if Native Americans were conquered people, but afterwards there was here say that Spanish agents were rushing American frontiersmen to withdraw from the new nation and join with Spain. During these problems there was little that Congress could do.

4. With Independence the United States had to develop its own ways of dealing with other nations. What foreign policy problems did Congress face during the 1780s, and how effectively did it deal with them.
Congress had to face the foreign trade policy of uncooperating nation with trade because each stated wanted to do things it way for advantage. Therefore overseas trade weakened and so did the economy. This also led to war debt and urged congress to borrow money in order to for it, alone with intrest. Congress finally elected Robert Morris to deal with these issues.
5. The successful struggle for independence encouraged many Americans to apply the language of rights and equality, used against Britain, to the conditions of political, social, and religious life in the American states. Identify three examples of this during the 1780s and describe the outcomes.
In Pennsylvania the constitution was replaced, but it was replaced for the better of the state. However in other places hard money and high tax policies was a big issue, mainly in Massachusetts. This resulted in many citizens of Massachusetts borrowing money to pay their tax and provide for their family. Also occurring in Massachusetts was farmers in need of money and holding protest to get their points across. This resulted in the government passing a law calling for full repayment of the state debt and taxes.

6. The new American Constitution in 1787-1788 has been interpreted as a conservative reaction to the more democratic pressure of the revolution. Is this an accurate judgement? Explain.
No because It was mostly Republican during this time and people were concerned about whether or not republican issues would be accepted. Also because with this in effect caused Americans to wonder about society and what was happening around them. In addition to this democratic relations had no input in what was going on at the time. The pressure and or problems were in the hands of the Republicans.