The Greatest Challenges Facing The Continental Army

Address the following questions below in AT LEAST A 300-WORD.

In the initial post, include at least ONE interesting question the readings raised for you.

 1. Imagine that Europe and the Americas remained separate and that no Europeans ever came as colonists to the Americas. What would Europe be like and would conditions be better or worse? What would the Americas be like and would conditions there be better or worse?

2. What stood out to you about the expedition of Lewis and Clark? What is the legacy of their findings and exploration of the Louisiana Territory? What do you think was their most important discovery?

3. The Mexican American war was one of the most controversial wars ever fought in American history. The debate about entering the war was fought in Congress and in the Press. After reviewing the arguments for and against the war, evaluate the American justification for war. What were the Democratic and Whig arguments during the debate about declaring war? Which of the parties made the strongest argument during the Congressional debates? Why do you believe Americans ultimately went to war against Mexico?

 4. Tough Indian Removal is often thought of a having the same affect on all of the Civilized Tribes, this is not necessarily true. Consider how the Indian Removal Act created very different responses from the Cherokee and Seminole Tribes. How did the two tribes attempt to resist the Indian Removal Act? Which tribe’s tactics seem more logical to you? Which tribe was the most successful in retaining their land and why?

5. After watching the video and reading the primary source documents written by Federalists and Antifederalists create a new thread where you argue against ratification of the Constitution from the perspective of an Antifederalist.

6. After reviewing sources on Francis Scott Key and reading all verses of the Star Spangled Banner please discuss how much thought you’ve previously given to the story behind our national anthem. Does knowing the background behind the song change your feelings about it? Most Americans only know the first verse, what are your impressions of the other three verses?

7. After reviewing sources on John Brown and his raid on Harper’s Ferry please discuss if you think John Brown is a hero or a terrorist. Does his cause determine the answer to this? Think about earlier in the semester when you discussed whether or not the Sons of Liberty were terrorists and the criteria that you used to make that decision. When applying that same criteria to John Brown, does your label for him change?

 8. In the last couple of decades, certain incidents or moments have become litmus tests for larger historical understandings. The arrival of Columbus to the New World is one such event. Both historians and the public at large have debated the meaning of Columbus’ voyages and his legacy. In this discussion, please explain what you understand to be the actual accomplishments or failures of Columbus, then discuss the legacy of the explorer specifically tied to Columbus Day. Does a man who never stepped into the Continental US deserve a federal holiday? What do you think of the argument for changing the name and focus of the holiday from Columbus to “Indigenous Peoples”? Does changing the holiday dishonor the heritage of Italian-Americans, a group that has also faced discrimination? Or does changing the name serve to recognize and affirm the overlooked history and contributions of Native Americans?

9. After reviewing sources on the Union army’s use of contraband, recruitment of immigrants, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Sherman’s March to the Sea, please discuss the following: Were these tactics of the Union government and army ethical? What role did they play in the Union victory?

10. After reading the first hand accounts of slaves provided or others available at the North American Slave Narratives Project. Explain what you see at the most important elements of slave culture. How were slaves able to maintain a culture in a system in which they had few legal rights? What challenges hindered the development of slave culture? Why was maintaining a culture important to slaves during the Antebellum era? How is slavery portrayed today and is it accurate?

11. The Sons of Liberty staged acts of resistance against the British government and agitated for revolution. Their tactics at times have led some to categorize them as a terrorist group. After reviewing the textbook and sources on the Sons of Liberty, the writings of Samuel Adams, and given what was taking place at the time (the Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, etc.), do you believe that they were a terrorist group or freedom fighters? Please explain why or why not. Do you think their tactics were justified at the time?

12. During the “starving time” at Jamestown, from 1609 to 1610, many colonists died from a variety of problems within the colony. The leadership of Jamestown was fractured, Powhatan Indians continued a raiding campaign against the fort, and there was a significant food shortage. What do you think was the most important failure of the Jamestown colonists or leadership that led to the starving time? Do you believe the primary document is an accurate account of the time? What can we learn from the on-going research at Jamestown and how might this change our understanding of the first sustained English colony in the New World?

13. After reviewing the sources on the Lost Cause, please discuss the following: How have you previously been taught about the Civil War? How do you think our country today remembers it? What impact do you think the Lost Cause has had on how America, and the South in particular, has remembered the Civil War?

14. After reading Washington’s Farewell Address evaluate the advice that he gave to the country. What advice did President Washington have for the country? Why would he offer this advice at that time? Have we followed his advice?

15. The success of Washington during the American Revolution has been attributed to a number of factors. His failures as a military leader have also been widely discussed. Evaluate the leadership of Washington during the Revolution. What do you believe was the most important factor in Washington’s victory? What were the greatest challenges facing the Continental Army during the Revolution? What mistakes were made during the Revolution?

16. The success of Washington during the American Revolution has been attributed to a number of factors. His failures as a military leader have also been widely discussed. Explain how you view the leadership of Washington during the Revolution. What do you believe was the most important factor in Washington’s victory? What were the greatest challenges facing the Continental Army during the Revolution? What mistakes were made during the Revolution?