American History: Report on Chapters 7-15, Including Key Events

This report provides an overview of American History, focusing on chapters 7 through 15. It begins with a discussion of the Enlightenment and Romanticism, highlighting societal changes and technological advancements. The report then examines the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, including foreign policy challenges, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the rise of new political innovations. Subsequent chapters explore economic growth, the rise of American culture, and the concept of Manifest Destiny, alongside the rapid modernization of the mid-nineteenth century and related social transformations. The report also addresses the American Civil War and its impact, including the abolition of slavery and the subsequent Reconstruction era. Finally, it analyzes the exclusion of Native Americans and African Americans from the full benefits of democracy during this period, highlighting key events, figures, and societal shifts.

Running head: AMERICAN HISTORY
American History
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1AMERICAN HISTORY
Overview of Chapter 7
This chapter commences by outlining the features and advancements of the
Enlightenment Age. It was believed that the American intellectuals believed that all
conflicts can be resolved through scientific investigation. Thus, the advent of technology was
not a novel concept for them. Moreover, the introduction of Romanticism was also an era
where there was an explosion of creativity. Due to the unique character of Romanticism,
Romanticism proved to be a direct challenge to the concept of Enlightenment. The U.S. was
gradually transforming into a ‘family’ society. America was facing innovations in fashion,
the legal status of women and even architecture. For example, people started flocking to the
theatres and engaged in other activities such as gambling and cock fighting.
Overview of Chapter 8 and 9
Chapter 8 outlines the era that Thomas Jefferson became president. As soon as he
assumed the presidential position, he faced the foreign policy challenge from the Barbary
pirates. Moreover, he also commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition to tour Louisiana.
This expedition was successful as the travellers returned with exotic flora. Most importantly,
Jefferson battled against the federalist Supreme Court by attempting to get rid of all the
Federalist judges in the Court. Moreover, chapter 9 outlines the new era of politics that
appeared. President Andrew Jackson brought about various new innovations in American
politics, including the pocket veto, the spoils system and also the removal of the Native
American tribes. Moreover, Andrew Jackson almost caused a war with France over the non-
payment of their debts.

2AMERICAN HISTORY
Overview of Chapter 10 and 11
The beginning of the nineteenth century was a time marked with economic
advancement. There was an advent of new inventions as well. It was an era where American
culture flourished in literature, architecture and even magazines. This economic growth was
also boosted due to the opening of the West. Education was also greatly promoted when
Horace Mann successfully fought for the opening of public schools. Moreover, authors like
Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville authored books that would remain classics till the
present times. Chapter 11 outlines the American belief in Manifest Destiny. In 1831, the king
of the Netherlands successfully demarcated a border between America and Canada but the
U.S. rejected it. Moreover, as James Polk won presidency, he commenced a war with Mexico
in order to gain control of the Texas border.
Overview of Chapter 12 and 13
Chapter 12 addresses the fact that America rapidly modernized during the middle of
the nineteenth century. This was due to a heavy investment in the sectors of transportation
and communication. Due to the rapid growth of the population, there was a growth in issues
such as sanitation and various other health concerns. Women also enjoyed educational
progress and the U.S. had a huge amount of its population enrolled in schools. The era of
modernization also fuelled inventions such as the steel plow and the reaper. Along with these
changes, certain social transformations were witnessed such as the women’s suffrage
movement. Chapter 13 acknowledges that by the middle of the 19th century, America was
able to fulfil the concept of Manifest Destiny. However, the South was facing the issue of
slavery while the North was developing their industries.

3AMERICAN HISTORY
Overview of Chapter 14 and 15
Chapter 14 outlines the severe destruction that the American Civil War brought along
it. While the North was fighting to abolish slavery, the South was hoping to hold on to this
practice so that their agricultural ventures would flourish. After a tedious long civil war,
Robert E. Lee, a Confederate who lead the North, finally surrendered. The war had a great
influence on the U.S. and slavery was finally erased. Chapter 15 explains that the South
needed to be greatly restored as the Northern States gained control of the South. Many of the
Republicans opposed the ideas of Lincoln and hoped that Andrew Jackson would prove to be
different. Moreover, many Northern opportunists flocked to the South in order to take
advantage of their dilapidating conditions. Many Americans also opposed the black rule in
the South.
Democracy and the Minorities
Even though democracy is a concept that includes all of the citizens of a country, it
was accepted that the Native Americans and African Americans were excluded from this
liberty. This was because Jackson believed that the African Americans should remain
enslaved. In fact, his harsh treatment of slaves was criticized by many. Moreover, his
treatment of the Native Americans was a matter of extreme controversy. In order to fulfil the
idea of Manifest Destiny, he expanded westward, uprooting and shunning the Native
Americans from their own land. Thus, even though democracy was upheld in the rest of the
U.S., the minorities were excluded from this right.

4AMERICAN HISTORY
Bibliography
Farmer, Brian R., Carl N. Degler, and Vincent P. DeSantis. 2019. Introduction To American
History. 9th ed. BVT Publishing.