First, I like to say that you made some interesting introductions and you all have some great comments on your blogs! I'd say you were "getting heard". I also want to complement you on how dilligently you worked last session. Everyone was on task and really focused. Blogs do that to you, right?
I'm sorry I didn't get to see your teacher. I understand she had a special meeting that the administration asked her to attend. She will be proud of all of you! Every teacher loves to hear how well her class did when they have to be out. So I'm thinking she will be "tickled pink"! I love to use idioms. Do you? Maybe we will have occasion to use them during our U.S. history studies. We can have some fun while we learn!
Your teacher told me that you will be studying about the Civil War and will be discussing the causes. I know the Civil War was caused by a mixture of conflicting pressures, prejudices and sectional differences in our countries. There is still lots of disagreement on the exact causes.
The main problem was the institution of slavery. Did you know that slavery was introduced into North America in early colonial times? I have always found it strange that the American Revolution was fought to validate the principal that all men were created equal. At this same time though slavery was legal in all of the thirteen colonies. That doesn't add up, does it?
Then the Constitutional Convention brought about many arguments over slavery. Northern states said Southern slaves were mere property and should not be counted toward voting representation in Congress. Southerners tried to say that , at least in this case, slaves were human beings. (Another strange dichotomy.) Yes, I am using these big words to pique your interest! I'm sure you will let me know if it is working.
So the compromise that came was that five slaves counted as three free men toward the representation. With this in place by the end of the convention the institution of slavery was well protected within the body of the Constitution.
In the deep South slave labor became a profitable business. It became an economic issue and southerners wanted it kept in place.
In 1800 half of the population of the Untied States lived in the South. But by 1850 only a third lived there. The South found that its representatives in the House had been overwhelmed by the North's explosive growth. To make a long story short, they did not feel adequately represented.
Other events happened that led to the civil war. I'm sure we will be discussing that or other issues related to this time in history.
I'm looking forward to meeting with you soon and collaborating with you and your teacher on what direction we will be headed for our U.S. studies!
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