The Road To Revolution

After The First Continental Congress, many New England towns began military preparations. Firearms and gunpowder were stockpiled by minutemen, until General Thomas Gage ordered troops to seize the illegal weapons. April 18, 1775, Paul revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott raced through the countryside to announce the arrival of 700 British soldiers. When armed minutemen lined up against the British 'redcoats', they were fired upon by the soldiers. Eight minutemen were killed, and ten were wounded. The Battle Of Lexington lasted only fifteen minutes, but signaled the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

After an unsuccessful march to Concord, the soldiers began their journey back to Boston. As they marched, they were fired upon by 3000-4000 minutemen. After humiliating defeat, the remaining redcoats retreated to Boston, held under siege by the colonists.

In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia, Divided loyalties between colonists created many heated debates. Some argued for the colonists' independence, while many remained loyal to Great Britain. However,the agreement was eventually made that the colonial militia would serve as the continental army, and George Washington would be it's commander.

In Boston, Thomas Gage made the decision to strike at Breed's Hill on June 17, 1775. 2,400 British advanced on the colonists, but were quickly driven back by colonial fire. The colonial casualties numbered only 450, in comparison to the british 1,00 lives lost.

By July, the colonies were being readied for war, despite still hoping for peace. Many delegates of the Second Continental Congress remained loyal to British King George III. On July 8, the Olive Branch Petition, urging harmony between he colonies and Britain, was sent to him. This petition was quickly rejected by the King, and urged Parliament to create a naval blockade against the 'rebelling' colonies.

-Taylor and Adam

Voting Rights

The 1776 Declaration of Independence was signed to end “taxation without representation.” In reality, suffrage (the right to vote) in America would remain highly limited until the late 20^th century. After the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation let suffrage rules be decided by the states. Even the 1789 Constitution failed to create national voting rights. As a result, voting was typically limited to white, male taxpayers- the people who ran those states. This would slowly begin to change.

The 15^th Amendment(1870) was the first step in changing national suffrage; it legally allowed males of every race and social status to vote. But even after the 15^th, voting in the South (and even in some Northern states) was largely limited. High poll taxes and difficult literacy tests, which white voters could skip, continued to prevent non-white voting. These devious methods would remain in place till the mid-1965.

Women had tried to secure their suffrage with the 15^th, but they were not included in the amendment. They were only allowed to vote 50 years later, following the passing of the19^th Amendment . Four years later, suffrage was finally extended to all American citizens (including Native American citizens, who had previously been prevented from citizenship). In addition, the ratification of the 24th amendment (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965) abolished poll-taxes and literacy tests, respectively.

The national voting age at that time was twenty-one (a few states had lowered it to eighteen). But during the Vietnam War, men were drafted from eighteen years and older were drafted. Many saw their inability to vote about the war they were going to fight in an unfair irony. So, because of the 26^th Amendment (1971), all citizens eighteen years or older can vote today.

-Gayan

The road to revolution

Da Vonnia
Edoardo

The Road to Revolution

After the first continental congress met, the colonists stepped up military preparations. General Thomas Gage learned about these activities, and he ordered troops to march from Boston to Concord(Massachusetts), to take their illegal weapons. April 18, 1775, Pau Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to spread word tat 700 British troops were headed to Concord. In April 19, the British encounter 70 minutemen, which was the first battle of the revolutionary war which lasted only lasted 15 minutes. The first shot fire, is now known as the “first shot heard around the world”. The British troops marched to concord where they were met by between 3000 and 4000 minutemen who fired on the marching troop s using guerrilla warfare. This encounters very significant to us history because it was the first time the colonist had fought and humiliated the British.

The second continental congress meeting was in Philadelphia in may 1775. The meeting was about discussing the next move against Great Britain, some of the colonist leaders were divided on the decisions. Some delegates called for independence while other wanted to reconciliate with Great Britain. At the end congress agreed to recognize the colonial militia and appointed George Washington as their commander.

On June 1775 general gates decided to strike the minutemen on Breed’s Hill, north of a city and near Bunker Hill gates sent 2400. The colonists held their fire until the last minuet of the battle. By the time the smoke cleared the colonists had lost 450 men while British suffered over 1000 casualties, this was known as the deadliest battle of the war. Bu July the second continental congress meet again hopping for peace. Congress sent the king so olive branch petition arguing the return of “the reformed harmony” between Brittan and the colonists. King George rejected the petition he issued a proclamation stating the colonies were in rebellion.

Colonial Courtship

Although all processes of colonial courtship involved only adults, different community traditions caused variations of courtship and marriage customs. Community traditions were often affected by the colonists’ cultural backgrounds, including religion and geographic location prior to immigration.

The majority of colonists in the frontier or backcountry colonies originated from Scotland and Ireland. As a result, their practices were based on the Scottish-Irish tradition of "abducting" the bride (who had previously given consent). The groom and his friends would steal the bride away from her home and to the ceremony. These frontier and backcountry weddings were quite festive and accompanied with drinking and dancing.

In contrast to the frontier and backcountry colonists, Puritans did not view marriage as occasion for festivities nor as a religious or sacred union. A marriage served strictly as a civil contract and was conducted in a simple civil ceremony that ended in a quiet dinner. Marriage was preceded by a supervised period of courting that included rather strange practices. For example, the couple was often given a long tube called a courting stick. The man and woman would whisper to each other through the tube while the rest of the family was in another room. What excitement! Another unusual custom was "bundling." The couple would share a bed for the night, but with a large wooden board, called a bundling board, separating their bodies and preventing any exciting physical contact. Scandalous! When the couple was ready to get married, they were required to subject their proposal of marriage to the scrutiny of Puritan leaders, who would either object or approve of their union.

Similarly, Quaker couples needed the approval of their Quaker community before getting married. Marriages followed one of the most extensive courtship processes in all the colonies, one which involved 16 steps. Despite, or perhaps because of, the lengthy courting phase, Quaker women occasionally backed out of the marriage at the last minute.

Southern slaves followed their own courtship customs as well. One was the "jumping the broomstick" ceremony. The bride and groom would jump over a broomstick to symbolize their procession from courtship to marriage.

Love was not often considered an important criterion in marriages, and courtship in Virginia was no exception. Although marriage was considered a sacred union, it was also more of a business transaction of properties than the pairing of soulmates. Consequently, parents were deeply involved in courtship to ensure the most fiscally secure marriage for their respective child.

-Noelle

Manifest Destiny

Written by: Marlin and Jason


Shortly after the War of 1812, only a few Americans explored the West. However, by the 1840’s, many Americans believed in the idea of manifest destiny, the belief that the United States was predestined by god to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican and Native territory; this was believed to be inevitable. In addition to manifest destiny, Americans had several reasons for moving west. Settlers moved to the West in hopes of acquiring parts of abundant land. Merchants and manufacturers followed the settlers, seeking markets for their goods. Many Americans also moved West in hopes of escaping economic problems in the East.

Settlers and traders who travelled west followed old Native-American trails, which included the Santa Fe Trail and the Oregon Trail. Settlers traveled in large groups, in fear of attacks from Native-Americans.

In 1821, Stephen F. Austin established colonies in Texas, the main settlement known as San Felipe de Austin. By 1825, 297 land grants were issued to settlers, resulting in over 20,000 Americans residing in Texan lands.

In the late 1840's, hundreds of thousands of Americans moved west into California, as the Gold Rush began. Mining camps quickly sprung up, as gold revolutionized the Californian economy. San Francisco soon became the "pandemonium of a city", as California's economy quickly rose above other areas. In the end, California reached a gold production value of two billion dollars.

The idea of Manifest Destiny evidently lead to the expansion of American land into what it is today. Settlements were made throughout the Midwest and West coast, and the American economy rose out of its previous slump.

Voting Rights

Voting Rights by Matt and Yuli

In 1776 the colonists declared independence from Britain to create a representative government. The new constitution in 1788 did not extend voting rights to many people, however amendments gradually extended rights to more and more citizens.
As of 1789 male property owners of 21 years old or more were allowed to vote. People who qualified were usually white, and occasionally African American males. The fifteenth amendment attempted to guarantee African Americans the right to vote. However they were often kept from voting through the use of poll taxes, which were finally abolished by the 24th amendment.
In the early 1920’s women were granted suffrage with the 19th amendment. After women got the right to vote, the nineteenth amendment also extended to Native Americans.
In the mid 19th century the 26th amendment made citizens 18 years old or older eligible to vote. The idea behind allowing people above 18 years old to vote was people found it weird that people who were being drafted and going to war are not allowed to vote.

Life in the Civil War

The war had many casualties, which caused each side to impose conscription, which is a draft that forced men to serve in the army. This causewd many riots, the worst of which in New York City. There were many more changes to come in wartime with economies on both sides and the roles played by African Americans and women.

180,000 African Americans fought for the Union which made up 10 percent of the northern army. They still suffered from discrimination. They served in separate regiments commanded by white officers and earned the lowest pay for most of the war.

The soldiers in the war on both the Union and the Confederacy had flithy surroundings, limited diet, and bad health care. Besides fighting or marching, most of the soldiers lived in heaps of rubbish and open latrines. Body lice, dysentery, and diarrhea were a result of all of this. The conditions in army camps, however, were far worse than the conditions in army camps. They overcrowded and unsanitary. The South's lack of food and tents also contributed to the appalling conditions. Northern prisons were only slightly better. They provided more space and adequate amounts of food. Although thousands of Confederate were put in places with little to no heat, so they contracted pneumonia and died.

Women didn't fight in the war, but they did contribute to the war effort. 3,000 women in the north served as nurses, while many thousands of women in the south volunteered as well. Both sides benefited because many women contributed to the war effort. Women's help was desperately needed as a series of battles in the Mississippi Valley and in the East soon sent casualties to hospitals in the North and South.

Women and Political Power

By Shan-Cheng(Aimee) and Nicky

Many American women tried to make America a better place throughout the history. They worked for justice of the citizens and fought for their rights. Since the 1770s, women took a role in making history by protesting against Britain. Even normal housewives contributed by boycotting tea and British made clothes. The, they began to realize that they have been treated unequally and in 1848, at the Seneca Falls Convention, two women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, started the first women's rights movement. Stanton issued a Declaration of Sentiments that demanded more rights and equality for women.

Their hard work paid off in 1920, when the United States passed the 19th Amendment, which granted the right to vote to women. At last, they had gained suffrage. However, they didn't always have success. In 1972 to 1982, they tried to pass the Equal Rights Amendment because they realized that they were paid less than men for equal work. However this wasn't ratified becuase people, men and women alike, thought that unwanted change would come out of it.

Even though they failed in passing the ERA, they gained strong positions politically, socially, and economically. The House of Representatives had 60 women and the Senate had 13 in the 107th Congress by 2001.

The Road to Revolution

After the First Continental Congress, minutemen, which were colonists ready to spring into action in case of a British attack, began mobilizing for war. Knowing this, General Thomas Gage of the British army sent troops from Boston to Concord to seize illegal weapons. The night before the British seize, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode out to alert the colonies that the British were coming. The first outbreak of the revolutionary war began on the way to Concord at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. The battle only lasted 15 minutes because of the far greater British force. The redcoats continued to Concord to find the weapons arsenal, but were confounded when it was empty. They then proceeded to march back to Boston. On the way back, 3000 minutemen assembled to ambush the British. This resulted in major casualties for the British.

In May 1775, colonial leaders called the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. There was a dispute over pursuing independence and reconciling with Britain. Despite the differences, Congress continued to create the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its comander.

On June 17, 1775, General Gage sent 2400 British soldiers to Breed's Hill which was occupied by the colonists. A battle emerged and resulted in 450 colonial casualties and 1000 British casualties. Despite the success of the colonies, some delegates still felt loyal to George III and blamed his ministers.

On July 8, Congress sent the king the Olive Branch Petition, urging to bring back the mutual companionship they had in the past. Instead of complying, King George III ordered a naval blockade to isolate the ships heading to America.

-Felix, Kevin

Amendments for Voting Right

Since the American Colonists declare their independence in 1776, a new government was established. The voting rights became more and more important in order to choose a proper leader. Although the Americans enjoy their voting right recently, few people are able to vote 200 years ago. Voting right has been amended for several times during this 200 years.

At first, the voting rights are only open to male property owners. Although the new constitution was written, this condition did not change at all. For exception, African American males are allowed to vote in some states.

In 1870s, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution enabled the African American males to vote. However, African American males are often kept from voting. Women are still not allowed to vote at that time.

In 1920s, voting rights are open to women after the Nineteenth Amendment to the constitution, with the effort of many other women who try to expand voting rights.

Four years later, voting rights was extended to all Native American who is older than 21.

Since people are not satisfied with the government who draft citizen of 18 but not allowed them to vote, the government amended the Voting right again. Citizen who is 18 years or older finally had the rights to vote thanks to the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the Constitution.

Approximately 200 years after America declared their independence; the voting rights are open to most citizens. The amendments to the voting right prove that the rights has become more and more equivalent to all citizens of America.

Dred Scott vs. Sandford (1857)

by Cat and Mira

A slave by the name of Dred Scott was brought by his master from Missouri to live for a short time in the free state of Illinois. Upon returning to Missouri, Scott began to argue that he should be allowed to live free since he had lived in a free state. He sued for his freedom in 1854, and appealed to the Supreme Court when the state court ruled against him. 

Scott's lawyers argued that Scott's wife, whom had married while in the free state of Illinois, and his 

daughter, born while on a steamboat back to Missouri, should be allowed to live from then on in emancipation. Under Chief Justice Roger Taney, the Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not considered, and never could be considered, citizens. They added that because of this, they were not allowed to sue in court. Scott remained enslaved. Chief Justice Taney went on to say that by banning slavery, Congress was taking away peoples' property. All congressional efforts to ban slavery in the territories was prohibited. Many dissenters argued that previous acts of Congress, such as the Northwest Ordinance, had limited slavery, and no one had claimed that these acts violated property rights, and therefore the Fifth Amendment. Nevertheless, Taney's strong proslavery position became a part of the national law. 

After the Civil War, the Thirteenth Amendment (1865) and the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) showed the federal government's efforts to abolish slavery. Dred Scott vs. Sandford could no longer be used a precedent for future cases. It was instead viewed as one of the worst decisions ever made by the Supreme Court.

by Cat and Mira 

Colonial Courtship

In the colonial age there were many ways to court a woman. The frontier or backcountry people had a custom to steal their wife before the wedding. But this could only be done by the woman's consent. After her consent the groom would come with his friends and take her. The bride and groom were usually around the same age.

The Puritans on the other hand had a really strict marriage arrangements. It was more of a civil contract than a religious union. The couple had to be supervised together at all times by a parent. They were allowed to speak to each other through a long tube. The Puritans also had a strange practice of allowing the couple to sleep together in the same bedroom, but with a long board between them. This was called bundling. Before they were allowed to get married their marriage had to be pass by the leaders. After that they were allowed to have a small quiet wedding. The Puritans allowed people to get divorces if they wanted to.

African slaves on the other had a really simple marriage ceremony of jumping the broomstick.

For Quaker couples instead it was more difficult to get married, because they needed not only the permission of their parents but also the permission of the whole Quaker community.

They had to go through several steps before they could get married, but most women rejected the man at the last second. Due to this 16 percent of the women were single of the age of 50.

One of the restrictions on Quaker marriages were that could not marry your first cousin.

The Virginia marriages on the other hand allowed the first cousin marriages. The marriages were often made by the parents. For this reason not the love was required but the property of the man or the woman. 25 percent of males never married and if they did, they mostly were about 10 years older than the woman.

Marriages in the colonial age were a lot difficult than today.

- Yasmeen & Laura -

Women and Political Power

Countless American women played an important role in U.S. History. They stood up for their rights and the issues they believed in. They fought for their political power and for being accepted in politics.  

1770s - Protest against the british

American women participated strongly in the protests against the british conquerers. Some of them didn't use british material anymore, what was a little part of the protest, or they took more active roles, as Mary Goddard, a printer who printed the first copy of the Declaration of Independence.

1848

Women suffered from their unequal status in society, their lack of suffrage and that they weren't allowed to vote. 

In 1848, two great women - Elisabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott  founded the first women suffrage movement in the US. at the Seneca Falls, N.Y.

They demanded more rights for women pus the right to vote. 

1920 - Right to vote

Women started to demonstrate, to get the attention of the public for their problems so they would support the Amendment. 

In 1920, more than fifty years after the first demandment for more rights for women, the United States adopted the Nineteenth Amandment, which allowed women to vote.  

1972 - 1982 - Equal Right Movement

When women entered the workforce, they noticed, that there's still a lack of equal payment for equal work. 

Although many people supported the Equal Right Amendment, they feared it would prompt unwanted change. 

The Amendment failed to be ratified for the Constitution. 

2001 - Women in Congress

Many women have made their way into leading positions - politically as well as socially and economically. 

In the 107th Congress, 60 women served the House and 13 women served the Senate. 

by Miriam

American Women Gain Political Ground

Throughout American history, women have worked to gain political power, even during times when sexism was prevalent in America.
In the 1770s, when America was revolting to break free from British power, women were active in protesting however they could. For example, homemakers boycotted tea and British made clothing; some, like Sarah Morris Mifflin, spun their own thread or made other goods of their own.
Due to discontent with their lack of rights, women began to take action to gain ground. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott launched America's first women suffrage movement at the Seneca Falls Convention in NY. At the convention, Stanton presented her Declaration of Sentiments, where she demanded greater rights for women, especially highlighting the right to vote. 50 years later, in 1920, women finally won their fight with the 19th amendment, which granted them their right to vote.
From 1972-1982, women had begun to join the work force and realized the inequality of pay between gender for the same amount of work. The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) they wanted called for the same social and economic rights as men. It failed to be ratified into the Constitution.
Despite the ERA not passing, many women achieved high positions politically, socially, and economically by 2001. In the 107th Congress, 60 women were in the House and 13 were in the Senate; for example, Washington senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell in 2000.
Over time, women's rights have progressively expanded and improved to reach equality. Today, women are as successful as men and have taken on an equal role in society in the USA.

--by Hannah and Mingming :)

Dred Scott V. Sandford -1857

By Cisca and Nick

Dred Scott was a slave from Missouri, whose master took him to Illinois. Illinois was a non-slave state. Dred Scott believed that because he was in free territory, that he was a free man. In 1854 Dred Scott sued the federal court for his freedom. He was ruled against, but appealed to the supreme court. Chief Justice Roger Taney wrote the courts decision that because Dred Scott was a slave, he was not a citizen, and could not even file a law suit. The Supreme Court also ruled that African Americans are not and never will be citizens. Dred Scott remained a slave.
This is important because it created social unrest to all slaves and it perminantely diminished their rights as human beings. Chief Justice Roger Taney claimed that if congress banned slavery, it is a violation of the fifth ammendment because they would be taking away someones property without due process of law. This case ended congressional efforts to ban slavery in the United States. This was one of the major stepping stones towards the civil war.
Other Justices of the Supreme Court (Justice John Mclean and Justice Benjamin Curtis) showed that the Supreme Court had the right to "make all needful rules and regulations" and that the U.S. and State Constitutions considered African Americans Citizens.

Women Throughout American History

Women have played important roles in the significant events that occurred throughout American history. During the 1770's, women boycotted tea and British-made clothing in order to protest against the British during the American Revolution. As the country developed, women grew aware of the inequality between men and women. So, in 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott launched the first women's suffrage movement at the Seneca Falls Convention in New York. At the convention, Elizabeth Cady Stanton introduced the Declaration of Sentiments, which demanded greater rights for women. After more than 50 years of protesting and organizing, women finally won the right to vote when the Nineteenth Amendment was made. However, as women entered the workforce, another problem arose during the mid-1900s: unequal pay for equal work. In response, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was conceived. Although the ERA was supported by millions, many were afraid that the amendment would promote unwanted change. Thus, the ERA was not ratified for the Consitution. Despite the fact that the ERA was not ratified, women have achieved strong positions in America. In the 107th Congress (January 3, 2001 to January 3, 2003), 60 women were in the House of Representatives, and 13 women were in the Senate.

Written by Angela

Voting Rights

In 1789, only white, male property holders possessed the right to vote. Later, this population was extended to male taxpayers of twenty-one years of age, although some states allowed free African-Americans to vote.
In the 1870's, the admission of the Fifteenth Amendment guaranteed African-Americans the right to vote. However, they were discouraged by high, subjective poll taxes and literacy tests. The Poll taxes were eventually abolished in 1964 by the Twenty-Fourth Amendment and the literacy tests were suspended by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Despite these improvements, there was still discrimination in terms of voting; women and Native Americans did not have the right to vote. In the early Twentieth Century, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and many others pushed for women's suffrage, and held peaceful marches and parades to draw attention to the issue. After strenuous work, their efforts succeeded; the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, allowing women to vote. Several years later, Native Americans also gained suffrage as well as citizenship.
By the late 1900's, most of the adult population had the right to vote. However, during the Vietnam War, people began to question the morals behind drafting eighteen year olds, yet denying them the right to vote. Soon thereafter, after the 26th Amendment was ratified, all eighteen year old citizens and above had the right to vote.

-Casey F., Grace M.

Welcome to the BLOG for U.S. History (A) 2009-10

Greetings to all!

This blog is a class project for U.S. History - period A.