HIST 1301

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HIST 1301 NAME April 11, 2023

QUESTION ONE: Connecticut Compromise and its significance to the Constitution. The Connecticut Compromise was an agreement that reconciled US states during a convention. Connecticut delegates provided the Connecticut Compromise. These delegates were Oliver Ellsworth and Roger Sherman. The purpose of the Connecticut Compromise was to resolve the conflict between various states on the representation issue. Large and small states in the United States had a dispute on how they would be represented in the new United States federal government. Some delegates had proposed that states be represented in the federal government based on their population. Other delegates argued that there should be equal representation of states in the federal government. They did not support the representation of states based on wealth or population. Oliver Ellsworth argued that a bicameral legislature would be the best option for all states. This would entail having the same number of representatives for all states in the House of Representatives. William Paterson argued developed the small states plan that required Congress to provide equal representation for all states. Various US states had previously been unable to develop the legislative branch. The large US states always wanted representation based on their population, but the small ones always wanted equal representation. The Connecticut Compromise preserved the US Constitution. It compromised between the New Jersey plan and the Virginia plan. The Connecticut Compromise stated that there would be equal representation of the states in the Senate. However, there would not be equal representation in the House of Representatives. The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives for various states would be made considering the population of every state. The Connecticut Compromise led to the establishment of a bicameral legislature. QUESTION TWO: How the system of checks and balances works in the American government? The system of checks and balances has been developed in the US government. The US government has three arms which are the legislature, executive, and the judiciary. The system of checks and balances ensures that there is no arm of government with excess power. It prevents abuse of power and promotes responsibility and accountability by various government organs. The system of checks and balances ensures that human rights are protected. It controls the government and prevents authoritarianism and dictatorship. One of the ways the system of checks and balances works is by ensuring that the legislature has the power to make laws, but the laws have to be vetoed by the President. This ensures that the legislature is controlled because any laws passed must be approved by the President. Another way in which the system of checks and balances works is by ensuring that the judiciary declares various laws unconstitutional. The legislature has the power to make laws. Sometimes, this power can be misused by various individuals. The judiciary examines various laws and rules them unconstitutional to prevent misuse of power by the legislature. The US President can be impeached by the legislature. Some US Presidents have abused power and got impeached by the legislature. The legislative branch can control the budget and remove sitting presidents from office. Even though the judiciary interprets laws, the US president selects and nominates judges. These judges can also be impeached by the Congress. The executive

branch of the American government administrates federal laws. There are numerous federal agencies with different missions. QUESTION THREE: basic details and significance of the Supreme Court cases: Marbury v. Madison Marbury v. Madison was an important case in US history because it strengthened the judiciary. This case was brought up when Thomas Jefferson won the presidential elections in 1800. A judicial act had been passed leading to the appointment of more judges and the creation of more courts. The act had also given the president power over the selection of judges. Marbury wanted to compel Madison to deliver documents. Marbury v. Madison declared an Act constitutional and established the judicial review doctrine. Marbury v. Madison significance was allowing the Supreme Court to rule various laws unconstitutional. Judges would assess the lawfulness of various actions and decisions. The case led to the establishment of the powers of the judiciary. Courts would have the power to rebuke unconstitutional acts. Previously, the Supreme Court did not have the power to declare Congress acts unconstitutional. The Marbury v. Madison ; therefore, had a significant impact on US history. The act played a crucial role in the balance of power between various organs of government. The United States is used to the process of judicial review. There exists a system of checks and balances in the American government. The US courts have the authority to interpret the Constitution thanks to the Marbury v. Madison case. The Supreme Court can play an important role in the American government due to the ruling of the case. QUESTION FOUR: the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears. President Jackson signed The Indian Removal Act into law. This Act led to the removal of Indians from their lands. Many Indians were forced to Migrate to Mississippi. The President had been authorized to give the Indians land that had been unsettled. In return, the Indians would give up their desirable lands. The Indian Removal Act showed that American Indians were not allowed in particular territories. There was trouble and conflict when the Indians realized they were being forced to move to new places. The Indian Removal Act required the US government to engage in peaceful negotiations with the Indians. The Indian Removal Act had not stated that Indians be removed forcefully from their lands. Even though some tribes settled peacefully in the western lands, many tribes did not. Many people refused to have their cultivated lands and farms taken away from them. They did not want to be taken to strange lands. Indians had already built their homes and established businesses in the region they were being chased. Indian families had their children studying in various schools. Indians fought resettlement, but they were forced to participate in marches. A significant number of Cherokees participated in the forced march. During the march, around 4,000 died. The Trail of Tears was the route followed by the natives. The Choctaw Nation was expelled from its native land in 1831. As they were being forced to move from their lands, some of them were tied with chains. Many people died as they moved to strange lands.

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QUESTION FIVE: origins of the Mexican-American War. The Mexican-American War started when the United States annexed Texas. Texas was initially Mexico’s territory. Mexico owned various provinces such as Texas, New Mexico, and California. Since Texas did not have many inhabitants, many US settlers were recruited. They settled in Texas to help increase the population. Many people bought land in the region. However, there were conflicts between the settlers from the United States and the government of Mexico. These conflicts occurred because the settlers did not agree with the legal codes developed by Mexico. The settlers failed to adhere to Mexico’s regulatory laws. US settlers formed a government and wanted Texas to gain independence in 1836. The Mexican government responded to the settlers’ moves by deploying troops to Texas to gain political control. US settlers were against the Mexican troops. These troops had killed a significant number of American settlers. The Texas government responded by sending troops. Texas later gained its independence and was also admitted to the United States. However, Mexico did not seem to recognize Texas’ independence. The major cause of the war between the US and Mexico was a border dispute. The United States believed that the US-Mexico border was the Rio Grande River. On the other hand, Mexico believed that the border was at the Nueces River. Mexicans were infuriated by the fact that the United States had acquired Texas and admitted it to the federal government. The Mexican- American War had also developed because the United States wanted to expand and acquire more land. The state of Texas had significantly contributed to the Mexican-American War. QUESTION SIX: Elements and significance of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo played a crucial role in ending the Mexican-American war. The terms of the treaty seemed to favor the United States because it had defeated Mexico in the war. One of the elements of the treaty was that Mexico would give up lands. Mexico would give up territory in various states such as Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Kansas. Mexico would recognize the Rio Grande River as the boundary with America. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo required universal peace. The treaty also required a convention of commissioners. The United States would withdraw its troops from Mexican territories after the war. Both naval and land forces would also stop blocking Mexican ports. The treaty required the restoration of prisoners of war. The US government would release Mexican captives and restore them to Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo allowed United States citizens free passage at the River Colorado and the Gulf of California. Both US and Mexican citizens were allowed to freely navigate River Gila. They could transport merchandise using the river without taxation. Mexicans who were already living in states that had been acquired by the United States were allowed to continue living there. Mexicans would enjoy their rights as United States citizens if they were living in areas seized by the US government. However, those who wanted to return to Mexico were allowed. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo increased the United States' territories and decreased Mexico’s territories significantly. There were numerous debates between Southerners and Northerners after the treaty.

WORKS CITED Wright, Ben, and Joseph L. Locke. The American Yawp: A Massively Collaborative Open US History Textbook, Vol. 1: To 1877 . Stanford University Press, 2019. pp.1-456

HIST 1301

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