By 1858 there was only one national political party left, the Democrats.  The one thing that kept them together was the concept of Popular Sovereignty that meant that individual states and territories could decide for themselves to be free states or slave states.  Under this idea the local people made the choice and not Congress.  … Continue reading Class Notes →

The Portuguese were the first to make a real profit using a sea route to Asia.  The Spanish wanted to get in on the trade but had their hands full with problems at home.  The two kingdoms of Aragon and Castile were at war with each other, and both were also dealing with invasion from … Continue reading Class Notes →

The 1856 Election was different than the ones just previous.  In those elections people already knew which party they would vote for.  The only issue was getting them to show up.  However, in 1856 the Whig Party was dead and new parties were competing over Whig voters.  Finally, the parties had to focus on issues … Continue reading Class Notes →

In 1400, the most powerful empire was China and the Ming Dynasty.  They had over a 100 million people and were ruled by a complex bureaucracy.  They easily could have conquered Europe if they wanted to, yet the Chinese having all that they needed to thrive turned inward and isolated themselves.  The one thing they … Continue reading Class Notes →

There are two ways to remember 9/11 and maybe we should do both.  We must not ever forget those who lost their lives on that day, but I also hope we try to remember the America that came out of our grief.  The America where we all came together.  On Friday Sept 10th, Apple TV … Continue reading Class Notes →

Though Europe will eventually take over as the most powerful region of the world, that was clearly not the case in the years leading up to Columbus’s discovery of the Americas.  During this time Civilizations in Asia and the Middle East were much greater.  Europe was just coming off the Black Plague and needed time … Continue reading Class Notes →

By the 1852 election it was no matter an issue of which party to vote for, people had already made up their mind which party they supported.  Candidates did not really matter; it was about the party.  The issue for the parties was not convincing people to vote for them, but to get their people … Continue reading Class Notes →

 The idea that Natives came across the Baring Straights has been challenged as of lately.  Some scientists have questioned how animals could have crossed the land bridge when the land was covered with ice.  Without the grass, the animals would not have traveled that far.  If animals did not go, humans could not have followed … Continue reading Class Notes →

Jefferson liked to call the Election of 1800, "The Revolution of 1800," because he claimed it ushered in a time of more democracy and equality.  One person who took Jefferson at his word was a slave named, Gabriel Prosser.  Unlike most slaves, Prosser lived in a city, Richmond, and worked as a blacksmith for hire.  … Continue reading Class Notes →