ANWSER
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Question 1: Account for the European expansion into the New World.
European expansion into the New World was driven by several factors:
1. Economic Motives: The desire for wealth, especially gold and silver, and the search for new trade routes to Asia (e.g., the Spice Trade) fueled exploration.
2. Religious Zeal: Missionary efforts to spread Christianity, particularly by Spain and Portugal, played a significant role.
3. Political Competition: European powers like Spain, England, and France sought to expand their empires and outrival each other.
4. Technological Advances: Innovations in navigation (e.g., the compass, astrolabe) and shipbuilding (e.g., caravels) made long voyages possible.
5. Overpopulation and Social Pressures: Europe’s growing population and limited resources encouraged migration to the New World.
Key events included Columbus’s 1492 voyage (sponsored by Spain) and the subsequent colonization of the Americas by other European nations.
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Question 2: Examine the impact of the American Revolution.
The American Revolution (1775–1783) had profound effects:
1. Independence: The Thirteen Colonies broke free from British rule, leading to the creation of the United States.
2. Global Influence: It inspired other revolutions, such as the French Revolution (1789), by demonstrating the success of Enlightenment ideals.
3. Political Changes: The Revolution led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution (1787) and the establishment of a democratic republic.
4. Social Impact: It challenged traditional hierarchies, though inequalities (e.g., slavery, women’s rights) persisted.
5. Economic Shifts: The U.S. developed its own trade networks, independent of British mercantilism.
The Revolution also exposed tensions between federalists and anti-federalists, shaping early U.S. politics.
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Question 3: Discuss the roles of Hamilton and Jefferson in the rise of political parties in America.
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were pivotal in the emergence of the first U.S. political parties:
1. Hamilton (Federalist): Advocated for a strong central government, a national bank, and industrialization. His policies favored elites and urban interests.
2. Jefferson (Democratic-Republican): Championed states’ rights, agrarianism, and limited federal power, appealing to farmers and rural populations.
Their ideological clashes over issues like the Constitution’s interpretation and economic policies led to the formation of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, setting the foundation for the U.S. two-party system.
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Question 4: Examine the American Civil War and account for the victory of the North over the South.
The American Civil War (1861–1865) resulted in Northern victory due to:
1. Industrial Superiority: The North’s advanced industries supplied weapons, railroads, and resources.
2. Population and Manpower: The Union had a larger population, providing more soldiers.
3. Naval Blockade: The North’s blockade crippled the South’s economy by halting cotton exports.
4. Leadership: Lincoln’s leadership and generals like Grant and Sherman outmatched Confederate strategies.
5. Economic Weakness: The South’s reliance on slavery and agriculture left it vulnerable to shortages.
The war ended slavery (Emancipation Proclamation, 1863) and preserved the Union but left the South devastated.
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Question 5: The period, 1781 to 1789 (the American confederation era) was a crucial era in the political development of USA. Discuss.
The Confederation Era (1781–1789) was critical because:
1. Articles of Confederation: The first U.S. constitution created a weak central government, exposing flaws like inability to tax or regulate trade.
2. Shays’ Rebellion (1786): Highlighted the need for a stronger government, prompting the Constitutional Convention (1787).
3. Constitutional Drafting: Debates over federal vs. state power led to the U.S. Constitution (1789), balancing both with checks and balances.
4. Foundational Policies: Land ordinances (e.g., Northwest Ordinance, 1787) established rules for westward expansion and statehood.
This era laid the groundwork for the modern U.S. federal system.
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Question 6: Account for the evolution of America Civil Rights Movement and discuss the different tactics involved in the effort.
The Civil Rights Movement evolved as follows:
1. Early Efforts (1900s–1950s): Organizations like the NAACP fought segregation through lawsuits (e.g., *Brown v. Board*, 1954).
2. Nonviolent Protests (1950s–1960s): Leaders like MLK Jr. used sit-ins, marches (e.g., Selma), and boycotts (e.g., Montgomery Bus Boycott).
3. Legislative Successes: The Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965) were achieved through lobbying and public pressure.
4. Radical Tactics (1960s): Groups like the Black Panthers advocated armed self-defense, contrasting with nonviolent approaches.
The movement dismantled Jim Crow laws but faced ongoing challenges like systemic racism.
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Question 7: To what extent were the Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine associated with American imperialism?
Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine were closely tied to U.S. imperialism:
1. Manifest Destiny (1840s): The belief that Americans were destined to expand westward justified annexing Texas, Oregon, and Mexican lands (e.g., Mexican-American War, 1846–1848).
2. Monroe Doctrine (1823): Declared European interference in the Americas unacceptable, later used to justify U.S. dominance (e.g., interventions in Latin America).
Both ideologies promoted territorial and economic expansion, though the Monroe Doctrine initially focused on deterring European colonialism.
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Question 8: With particular reference to one colony, discuss the motivations for the founding of British North American colonies.
Virginia (founded 1607):
1. Economic Gain: The Virginia Company sought profit through tobacco cultivation.
2. Religious Freedom: While less prominent than in New England, some settlers escaped Anglican persecution.
3. Overpopulation: England’s surplus population migrated for land and opportunity.
4. Strategic Competition: England aimed to rival Spanish colonies in the New World.
Virginia’s success with cash crops and the headright system (land grants) became a model for other Southern colonies.
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