Examining the pivotal events in US History before 1877 - Analysis

This essay examines significant historical events in the United States before 1877, focusing on their profound impact on the nation's development. It begins with an analysis of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War), highlighting its role in escalating tensions between Britain and the American colonies due to increased taxation and perceived exploitation. The essay then discusses the War of 1812, attributing its causes to British violations of American sovereignty and trade restrictions. Furthermore, it explores the concept of Manifest Destiny, detailing its influence on westward expansion and its consequences for Native American populations. Finally, the essay analyzes the United States Civil War, emphasizing its initial aim to preserve the Union and its eventual transformation into a conflict that abolished slavery and reshaped the nation. The essay concludes by underscoring how these events collectively shaped the trajectory of American history.

Running head: HISTORY BEFORE 1877
HISTORY BEFORE 1877
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1HISTORY BEFORE 1877
Answer 1:
The Seven years’ war is the French and Indian war widely recognized as a major event
leading to the American Revolution. According to Smith (2017), the war was from 1756 to 1763
where Britain got the victory in the battle and got the authority on the lands that belonged to the
First Nation, France and Canada. For many years, the French were the English’s main rivals, and
when the battle with the French was won by the British, it came along with a very high cost.
England’s impressive war methods cost England a great deal of money which led them
extracting resources through colonization. When Britain was developing individual political
entities, they suddenly felt unwanted in the place since their main purpose was to provide
protection to French. Therefore, when the defeat occurred, the need for the English was
irrelevant and dangerous for the French. Britain was seen as the exploiters focusing on extracting
as many resources as possible from the colonies at the colonies at the expenses of colonists.
According to Sen, (2016), the foundation that laid the main foundation was the battle
itself which forced Britain to invest a fortune on the war. By the end of the war, it was not
possible to assemble a more formidable fight force. The British found themselves facing the
challenges of war debt. The British had the power to implement changes after the war as they
won the victory. However, their military condition compelled them to instate excessive taxes
from America. According to the British, the colonist should contribute to repaying the debt that
was incurred from their behalf. This angered the American people who wanted to pay no taxes
without representation. Also, the French and Indian war helped American understand and learn
the rules and methods that British imply while fighting the battle. Therefore, for American, it
became easier to fight the British.

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Answer 2:
The war of 1812 occurred between Britain and the American from 1812 to 1841. There
were several reasons that led America to declare war on Britain. The immediate causes of the
war were various economic reasons that were taken by the French and British against Americans
as part of the Napoleon Wars. However, the reasons for the war were many such as expansion to
the west, crashing of economy and trade being hindered. Great Britain had violated American
sovereignty when they refused to surrender the western forts even though it was promised in the
treaty of Paris. British’s practice of impressment was a major reason that made the Americans
offended on Britain. Also, the trade between France and America was issued with several
restrictions by the British which led to the obstacle in trading between the two nations.
Americans disliked the fact that the British supported the Native American by providing arms
and support since the Native Americans were attacking the American settlers earlier. British had
a big loss of resources in the war where they gained victory and the loss of resources made the
British impose more taxes on the Americans. Combining all the events anger was getting build
up within American resulted in declaring war against Britain by mistake. Therefore, the real
cause of the war was the anger caused due to disrespect that Britain showed towards the
Americans and obstacle that came on the way of trading (Hamlin, 2013).
Answer 3:
The idea of Manifest destiny is an old concept similar to exploration. The phrase was
coined in 1845 that meant the United States was destined by God for territorial expansion. It is
the requirement of expanding territory and having a profound influence. The philosophy of
manifesting destiny travelled from Europe to North America beginning from Christopher
Columbus followed by many other. The spirit of manifest destiny was the idea that helped the

3HISTORY BEFORE 1877
United States believe that they were destined by God to spread their expansion across the entire
continent of North America (Kehoe, 2015). The belief that America had regarding themselves
was that they were to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In the mid-1800s, the Americans
came to believe that they had an obligation to increase their domain. It was supported by the
economist, businessmen, industrialist and transportation industry since they were aware of the
economic benefits. Along with the capitalists, the politicians favoured Manifest Destiny as well.
The reason underlined by the politicians were the expansion of their system of government.
Most of the public supported the Manifest destiny in America for it gave a feeling of pride, that
their nation was making history.
According to Dobson (2013), the impact of Manifest destiny was the United States
becoming larger as well as wealthier. The idea that God was with them in order to spread their
expansion led to discovering places from world’s one end to another. The United States
expanded its reach towards new territorial acquisitions and conquests which impacted the lower
and middle-class farmers. They began settling in the lands that were being discovered by
America. It affected the lives of the many groups that belong to the United States. It impacted
vastly on the lives of North America as it led the natives to lose their lands and leading Britain to
take advantage of it. The spirit of manifest destiny was the impression that helped the United
States believe that they were supported by God to spread their expansion across the entire
continent of North America. American imperialism is dominated by the philosophy of Manifest
Destiny which influenced the other nations as well such as England, Spain and many more.
Answer 4:
The United States civil war began in April 1861, 150 years ago and when it ended it
abolished slavery in the southern states. The war was primarily a war that began to preserve the

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union and in the beginning, as well, the sole reason for it was to preserve the Union. However, it
took a different turn. Indeed then President Lincoln said on several situations in the first year and
in most of the war that the war was not to abolish slavery. Since Lincoln was very much
concerned regarding the slave states that had not been successful, it tried to win back some of the
secessionists in the south. Therefore, in the initial stage, it was a war that intended to preserve the
Union as it had existed before 1861. By the end of the second year of the war, the intention
shifted or became clear that Southerners were not going to be persuaded back again into the
Union. Also, slavery was not the only purpose for which the Confederacy was fighting. The
mission also involved an asset in the form of slave labour that had grown cotton and the food
crops and much logistical labors that would support Confederate armies (Bell, 2014).
When the nation intended to expand several challenges were faced by the government.
The main reason proclamation was issued for keeping the European powers out of the war and
holding the loyalty of the radical abolitions. However, when the proclamation was issued, it was
highly evident and clear that the reconstruction would take place in the south and it would leave
it in a place that is very different. The war was primarily a war that began to preserve the union
and in the beginning, as well, the sole reason for it was to preserve the Union. However, it took a
different turn.

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References:
Bell, D. A. (2014). The first total war: Napoleon's Europe and the birth of warfare as we know
it. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Dobson, D. (2013). Manifest Destiny and the environmental impacts of Westward expansion.
Hamlin, C. H. (2013). The war myth in United States history.
Kehoe, A. B. (2015). The land of prehistory: a critical history of American archaeology.
Routledge.
Sen, S. (2016). A distant sovereignty: National imperialism and the origins of British India.
Routledge.
Smith, T. (2017). A Comparative Study of French and British Decolonization. In European
Decolonization (pp. 3-35). Routledge.