Most Significant Groups in US History

[evanj]

You can all shut up now, too. There is absolutely no question that the Framers of the Constitution is the most important group of Americans in our history. They possessed the foresight and courage to cut all ties with our mother country, creating the country itself. Along the way, they had to force an unconvinced and scared populus that cutting ties with Britain, a place that many Americans felt loyalty to, would result in a better situation. By spearheading this particular change, they, essentially, created America, which has to make them the most significant group, right?
They could also be considered the most star-studded group on the list; the American All-Stars, if you will. What other group contains figures like Ben Franklin (discovered electricity, brilliant diplomat), Thomas Jefferson(um...the most important governmental document of the past 3 centuries...in the world, Louisiana Purchase), John Adams (you saw "1776," didn't you?), Alexander Hamilton (hello American economy)...you get the picture. It's like the Olympics, when the U.S. had Magic and Bird and Barkley and it was an absolute joke. C'mon. Stop kidding yourselves.

[Jason Y]

evanj said:

You can all shut up now, too. There is absolutely no question that the Framers of the Constitution is the most important group of Americans in our history. They possessed the foresight and courage to cut all ties with our mother country, creating the country itself. Along the way, they had to force an unconvinced and scared populus that cutting ties with Britain, a place that many Americans felt loyalty to, would result in a better situation. By spearheading this particular change, they, essentially, created America, which has to make them the most significant group, right?
They could also be considered the most star-studded group on the list; the American All-Stars, if you will. What other group contains figures like Ben Franklin (discovered electricity, brilliant diplomat), Thomas Jefferson(um...the most important governmental document of the past 3 centuries...in the world, Louisiana Purchase), John Adams (you saw "1776," didn't you?), Alexander Hamilton (hello American economy)...you get the picture. It's like the Olympics, when the U.S. had Magic and Bird and Barkley and it was an absolute joke. C'mon. Stop kidding yourselves.

ah yes but while they may have had "courage and foresight" you cant deny the fact that so much of the process was a power struggle, and not between colonists and Great Britain, but between the people that signed the Constitution. Also, you can't ignore their faults as well. Although it may not pertain to the Constitution, their faults later in life hurt the country they created; the country that MY GROUP, the Reconstructionists, saved by the way ;D For example, Thomas Jefferson destroyed our navy when he bought those little pathetic boats instead of ships that could somewhat compete with that of other countries. John Adams is arguably the most power hungry of them all. Even the movie we saw earlier in the year ( or last year, its all just one big blur) portrayed him as a loud mouth politician who, although may be right at times, could not accept the fact that he could ever be wrong. Is this necessarily the man you want putting together your country, a man bent on his own ego a bit more than what he's actually arguing about? I can't so anything bout Franklin and can't say much bout Hamilton either so thats all. It all seems somewhat general but I'm sure you get my drift.

[grandpoobah]

We're gonna go ahead and take the myriad of variations/mutations of "shut up" out of play going forward by invoking the "BE NICE" chapter of the rules. Evan now has to make an additional two posts.

[Amaka O.]

The most significant group in US history is the Iroquois Confederacy. While trading fur with the French in the 1600s for guns and other weapons, they were double crossed by the French who traded with their enemies, the Huron. In turn, the Iroquois Confederacy attacked French villages and prevented the french from southward expansion from Canada. The Europeans were still not settled and with all the disease and harsh weather conditions, the southward expansion of the French would pose more of a problem to the Europeans and would halt settlement or change it.

[evanj]

In terms of your points on Jefferson and Adams, I find it interesting that you used the word "faults." The question doesn't ask what the best group is, which would open up the proverbial can of worms. It instead asks what is the most significant, and these two particular gentleman, it is important to remember, are absolutely paramount in the development of the system that we live in. Sure, Jefferson screwed up the Barbary pirates, but he also completed the Louisiana Purchase, which set numerous precedents on the President's jurisdiction, drastically increased the amount of land America held, and paved the way to America's established policy of manifest destiny, something that shaped the way America went about its business for the next century. You could even argue that Jefferson set up the addition of the West, which was the catalyst for the economic success we had and continue to have. In terms of Adams, while he had a rocky presidency and made some bad decisions, he shaped American politics by getting over America's apprehension and starting the Federalist party. That ushered the American system into a partisan one, creating the 2-headed monster we enjoy today.

[evanj]

fair enough, robinson

[Jason Y]

Good points, and my point was less of pointing out why they're bad as pointint out why they're less important than mine. :-) Question though, what do you find to be the best supoprter of your group? what they disregarded/were up against when they formed the Constitution OR their thoughts and ideas relative to the time period (sophisticated and ahead their time perhaps?)?

[Michel'le F.]

Well i'm glad everyone's excited about their group, but it is clear that the QUAKERS are the most significant group in history. They have been able to withstand the test of time, and have existed for more than 300 years. They overcame persecution on two different continents over hudnreds of years, and were still able to withstand the heat. Have you ever heard of Pennsylania? Well yeah, Quakers founded that state. William Penn, a Quaker, "purchased" Pennsylania from Native Americans in 1682, and to this day in 2007, Quaker traditions are still evident in Pennsylvania. The Friends, as they are more commonly known, have extended their beliefs into the other states, and are most commonly found in Indiana, North Carolina, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, Idaho, Oregon, Ohio and Delware. In addition, Quakers have even been found in Bolivia and Africa. Now that's an influential group of folk.

[Jason Y]

k time for second info post:

When the Civil War ended slavery was still a major issue. There were many people who didn’t agree with the abolishment of slavery and there were those that promoted it. It was the job of the Freedmen’s Bureau to ensure and successful transition between slavery and freedom. On March 4, 1865 the Freedmen’s Bureau was created by Congress in an attempt to relieve society of pressure put on by the newly freed men. This Bureau was used by freedmen to resist the power of planters and whites mainly in the South. Despite the abolishment of slavery, plant croppers in the south pushed for a system similar to slavery. This was fought against by the Bureau, protecting the ex-slaves from a lifestyle similar to what they had before the Civil War. The most important responsibility of the Freedmen’s Bureau was land redistribution. Land was an economic asset that was equated with independence and freedom. If attempt to give freedmen equal lives was to succeed, it was necessary that they be giving the same privileges as whites including owning land. Although the Bureau only gave land to about 20,000 ex-slaves, this attempt sparked the Southern Homestead Act of 1866 which came later. If it weren’t for this subgroup of Reconstructionists, society would have remained as lost as it was during the Civil War and the transition from slavery to freedom would have been even more difficult or may not have even took place.

[evanj]

I'm going to disregard the misuse and misspelling of the word "supporter" and respond that their best attributes were their sophistocation and foresight, and their recognition that this move, while a risky one, was the best one to make. Also, if you think about it, the Constitution, written in the 18th century, is still in place in the 21st, with relatively little amendment. The fact that a governing document can have that type of longevity, especiailly braving the quickness and advancement of the 20th century, is absolutely remarkable. The Constitution's relevance, today, is really what shows the influence of these people.

[Michel'le F.]

chia24 said:

The most significant group in US history is the Iroquois Confederacy. While trading fur with the French in the 1600s for guns and other weapons, they were double crossed by the French who traded with their enemies, the Huron. In turn, the Iroquois Confederacy attacked French villages and prevented the french from southward expansion from Canada. The Europeans were still not settled and with all the disease and harsh weather conditions, the southward expansion of the French would pose more of a problem to the Europeans and would halt settlement or change it.

Amaka, but how did they influence America or contribute to history? They got wiped out pretty fast, what lasting effects did they leave for us to remember them by? Just a question.

[evanj]

do responses to questions count as informational posts, since that's basically what they are?

[Margaret B.]

jyoung said:

Just so you know...you're all wrong. It's clear that the Reconstructionists are the most important group. After the Civil war, the U.S. was at the brink of destrcution. The South had split from the Union, abolishment of slavery caused the collapse of society and we had just spent 4 years killing our own people. The Southern economy was now even farther behind the North than before the war and there seems to be no hope of agreement. Had it not been for the REconstructionists, the South and North may have never reunited and traveled the road towards world power (somewhat extreme possibility but its possible...) or it may have taken so long to piece back together the U.S. that it would have taken far longer to save. Also, we can't forget the man who sparked Reconstruction, arguably the greatest president ever, Honest Abe. When the leader and savior of this country suggests that you forgive the South immediately and begin repairing the country, that's how it is. No matter now much the South hates him, theres no denying that he saved the people of both the North and South by ending the war. THis is just the beginning of why they're important. more to come :-).


Incase peole don't understand why I wrote that, it's simply to prove that if it weren't for Abraham Lincoln and his plans for reconstruction (making him a REconstructionist), the country not only would have continued to stay a distater and possibly never come out of it, but also would have never recovered as speedily as it did. It seems hard to beleive because of how long it took and how horrible it remained for ex-slaves, but it would have been much worse had it not been for Lincoln and his plans to reunite the country.

Jason-
Seriously, did Abraham Lincoln really do much in the way of Reconstruction? I would have thought that his opinions on the subject were unimportant in the power struggle after his assassination. More importantly, what exactly is a reconstructionist? Is it anyone who wanted to fix the country after the Civil War, or is it specifically politicians? Also, do Reconstructionists include representatives of all plans for Reconstruction? Because in that case, didn't the Reconstructionists lessen their own importance by disagreeing with one another?

[Jason Y]

michiesauce said:

Well i'm glad everyone's excited about their group, but it is clear that the QUAKERS are the most significant group in history. They have been able to withstand the test of time, and have existed for more than 300 years. They overcame persecution on two different continents over hudnreds of years, and were still able to withstand the heat. Have you ever heard of Pennsylania? Well yeah, Quakers founded that state. William Penn, a Quaker, "purchased" Pennsylania from Native Americans in 1682, and to this day in 2007, Quaker traditions are still evident in Pennsylvania. The Friends, as they are more commonly known, have extended their beliefs into the other states, and are most commonly found in Indiana, North Carolina, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, Idaho, Oregon, Ohio and Delware. In addition, Quakers have even been found in Bolivia and Africa. Now that's an influential group of folk.

How does being known in several states make you the most important, or lasting that long? A majority of the groups on the list have done the same AND made HUGE marks on this country in doing so. So why are the Quakers so special?

[Amaka O.]

jyoung said:

Just so you know...you're all wrong. It's clear that the Reconstructionists are the most important group. After the Civil war, the U.S. was at the brink of destrcution. The South had split from the Union, abolishment of slavery caused the collapse of society and we had just spent 4 years killing our own people. The Southern economy was now even farther behind the North than before the war and there seems to be no hope of agreement. Had it not been for the REconstructionists, the South and North may have never reunited and traveled the road towards world power (somewhat extreme possibility but its possible...) or it may have taken so long to piece back together the U.S. that it would have taken far longer to save. Also, we can't forget the man who sparked Reconstruction, arguably the greatest president ever, Honest Abe. When the leader and savior of this country suggests that you forgive the South immediately and begin repairing the country, that's how it is. No matter now much the South hates him, theres no denying that he saved the people of both the North and South by ending the war. THis is just the beginning of why they're important. more to come :-).


It is true that Abe had very good intentions to reunite the North and the South but after his assassination when Johnson came into power, didn't the Recontructionsts go against Abraham's propsed plans to make it more difficult for the South to reunite and passing a series of Reconstruction Acts, one which divide the south into military regions?

[Jason Y]

Margaret -

Good question. A Reconstructionist isn't necassarily anyone who supports reconstruction, but someone that achieves something in aiding reconstruction. Lincoln is important to mention as a Reconstructionist because even if his plans weren't a huge success, his ideas are present in the plans that did constitute the period of reconstruction. Like i mentioned, it was his idea to immediately forgive the South and focus on rebuilding the nation. If it weren't for that, it is most likely that the relatinoship between North and South would have prevented any positive talk of reuniting and rebuilding. There would have been too much conflict and disagreement between the two sections to achieve any change. It was because Lincoln, the president who by many was seen as the savior of the country (therefore making his bidding much more influential), suggested this that Reconstruction began and so began the development of our country...again.

[evanj]

amaka, is your arguement on your group's superiority purely based on speculating on what could have happened? also, noting how the french still fought a lot for territory in America in the coming years, how much of a difference did it make?

[Jason Y]

Amaka, my response to you is pretty much the same as my post above this to Margaret. HIS plans may have not been a success but his ideas were, and carried on throughout reconstruction MAINLY as i've mentioned several times now, the quick forgiveness of the South and focus on rebuilding rather than quarreling about who is to blame and how to move forward after the war was over.

[Emma B]

Amaka, is there anything else that the Iroquois confederacy has done for us as Americans? Besides preventing war over our land, which as evan just said, eventually happened anyway, what else have they done that has made them significant, if anything?

[Amaka O.]

Michel'le-
The Iroquois Confederacy influenced the most lasting effect in American History which was the Constitution and the Albany Plan of Union for the colonies. The Iroquois Confederacy established a democratic system and had a government that influenced our founding fathers when they constructed the Constitution. Even before then, the confederacy itself was a big influence to Benjamin Franlkin who propsed the Albany Plan, recognizing that if the Iroquois could unionize, then so could the colonies.