Most people know that Massachusetts was founded for religious reasons, however, what most do not know is that Maryland was also a religious colony.  In 1632, the King gave Lord Baltimore a charter for land on the Chesapeake as a heaven for Catholics.  Catholics had been persecuted in England in the past, but King James … Continue reading Class Notes →

Lincoln’s goal for Reconstruction was to make it as easy as possible for the Southern States to come back to full participation in the government.  His goal was also to save the Union first and foremost and being hard on the South would make the reunion harder.  His one new caveat was the south did … Continue reading Class Notes →

In order to keep pace with the Spanish, the English would eventually want their own colonies in the New World, as well.  Their first attempt was made by the explorer, and sometimes pirate, Sir Walter Raleigh in Roanoke.  He sent over a large group with the idea of finding gold like the Spanish, but try … Continue reading Class Notes →

Though the Democrats were divided in the 1860 election, they came back strong in the 1862 midterm elections.  By that point they had several issues to challenge the Lincoln administration.  By the 1862 elections, Lincoln had already issued the Emancipation Proclamation and had passed the draft.  Both issues brought the cry of tyranny.  In the … Continue reading Class Notes →

During the Reformation the group known as the Anabaptists would come to have an influence on America.  They did not preach that they were correct, only that everyone one else was wrong when it came to religion.  In many ways they wanted to go back to the original church.  They rebaptized their converts because they … Continue reading Class Notes →

On paper Jefferson Davis looked like the perfect man to lead the Confederate States.  He had more political experience than Lincoln and more military experience than Lee or Grant.  He had a great character and even this enemies would not challenge his reputation.  In the end this tenure was a failure.  In many ways he … Continue reading Class Notes →

You cannot understand colonial America without understanding the European influences that affected the colonists.  One of the events that played a large part in our colonization was the reformation.  The Reformation was a religious movement but also a political movement where princes took advantage of the religious attitudes to solidify their own power.  It was … Continue reading Class Notes →

In the 1860 election the South Democratic candidate, John C. Breckinridge did not really campaign.  In past elections it was about parties and parades to get out the vote.  In 1860, Breckinridge knew he had the South locked up and would not get votes in the North.  The only way he could win was for … Continue reading Class Notes →

Columbus ends up taking four separate journeys to the New World.  Each time he tried to set up a colony.  When he arrived the second time, he found the natives had killed everyone he left behind.  When he arrived the third time, he found that the Spanish and overthrown his brother because like Columbus he … Continue reading Class Notes →