Information is readily available today on every computer. Back in my day, we waited for the newspaper or nightly new to find out the latest information; yet it seems that many students use the computers for other purposes; sports, gossip, email, music, etc. I find that many students are not very aware of political situations in the world or here in the US. Why do you suspect this is, do you agree with me or not?
I do agree that students are not taking advantage of the instant access to the news around the world that is available today. However, I do not believe that this should be of any concern. Students may not be completely interested in the news at this point in their lives. Eventually, however, they will be interested and the instant access will be advantageous.
America has been losing manufacturing jobs to overseas competitors at an alarming rate. A recent military contract for refueling aircraft was awarded to Airbus, a European firm; rather than the US based Boeing. What do you see the future of jobs in the US evolving to?
I see this moving of manufacturing jobs to overseas as a big issue for the future of American jobs. America is slowly being removed from the position of the most significant country for high tech jobs. As this continues to occur, more Americans will take positions overseas rather than stay in the country. However, the government will likely respond to this eventually and America will regain its position in the economy of jobs.
Dred Scott v. Sanford was a major court decision by the United States Supreme Court wherein the Court supported racism and discrimination in the United States. The holding from the Court was that blacks could not become citizens of the United States. This was significant because it reaffirmed the continuance of discrimination in early America. The decision forbad free slaves from seeking freedom through the court. And, this enhanced the conflict between the North and South prior to the civil war.
John Brown / Who was he and what was his impact on the slavery issue in the United States?
John Brown was a white abolitionist who sought to end slavery. He used violence to attempt to accomplish his goal. He participated in the Underground Railroad, and later the Harpers Ferry raid. He also sought to start a slave insurrection. He was captured and hanged for his participation in the anti-slavery movement, and become a respected icon of the fight against slavery.
Free Soil Party / What impact did this political party have on the presidential election of 1848?
The Free Soil Party was created by members of the several political parties who opposed slavery. Martin Van Buren ran for president in this party. Although Van Buren did not win the presidential nomination, he successfully removed enough votes from the Democratic party and guaranteed a win for the Whig party in the election. The party was also successful in gaining representatives in Congress who were anti-slavery.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo / Was this beneficial to the United States? Why?
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was beneficial to the United States because it ended the Mexican American War. The treaty also expanded the territory of the United States to include Arizona, New Mexico as well as portions of Utah, Nevada and Colorado. This treaty cost the United States a substantial amount of money. However, the gaining of land was worth the payment. The treaty also hastened the civil war. However, the civil war was inevitable by this time.
