Manifest Destiny

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/osulliva.htm

John O'Sullivan, the author of this text, coined the phrase "manifest destiny." What did he mean to convey through this slogan? What is his argument in this text? What does he use to support his theory? What does this text tell you about United States society of the 1840s?

Slavery

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/18.htm

Read the American Anti-Slavery Society's Declaration of Sentiments. What do they use to justify their stand against slavery? How does their argument compare with that of the ex-slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/douglass-hypo.html)?
Now read the Southern Address of John C. Calhoun, senator from South Carolina and onetime Vice President of the United States (http://www.furman.edu/~benson/docs/calhoun.htm). What arguments does he make regarding slavery? What does he use to justify his arguments? Is he participating in the same debate as the abolitionists? Why or why not?

Women's Rights

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/Senecafalls.html

What document does the Declaration of Sentiments from Seneca Falls resemble? Why would the framers choose to make such a comparison? What rights are the participants at this convention demanding? How do these demands differ from those presented by contemporary advocates of women's rights? Why does this distinction matter?

Latin America

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1819bolivar.html

Read this address by Simón de Bolívar. What is he trying to accomplish? What arguments is he making to achieve his goal? Are the concerns he presents unique to Latin America? Why or why not?