Question 1

Why did Jefferson favor the use of gunboats for coastal defense? How did he misunderstand their utility?

Accepted Answer

Jefferson favored the use of gunboats for coastal defense because he believed they were a cost-effective and efficient way to protect the United States from potential naval threats. He saw gunboats as a way to project American power and deter potential enemies from attacking the coastline.

However, Jefferson misunderstood their utility in several ways. Firstly, he underestimated the capabilities of larger naval vessels and overestimated the effectiveness of gunboats in deterring a full-scale naval invasion. Additionally, he did not fully grasp the limitations of gunboats in terms of range, speed, and firepower compared to larger ships.

Furthermore, Jefferson's belief that gunboats could replace a standing navy led to a neglect of traditional naval power, which left the United States vulnerable in the War of 1812. Ultimately, while gunboats had some utility for coastal defense, Jefferson's overreliance on them and misunderstanding of their limitations proved to be a strategic miscalculation.

Question 2

Describe U.S. naval development between the end of the War of Independence and the beginning of the War of 1812. What were the competing agendas of national defense? How were these shaped by the various political factions?

Accepted Answer

After the War of Independence, the United States faced the challenge of developing its naval forces to protect its interests and ensure national defense. The competing agendas of national defense were shaped by various political factions, each with their own priorities and perspectives.

One agenda was focused on building a strong navy to protect American merchant ships from piracy and to defend against potential threats from European powers. This agenda was supported by Federalists, who believed in a strong central government and saw a powerful navy as essential for national security.

On the other hand, the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, were more focused on minimizing military spending and avoiding entanglements in foreign conflicts. They believed that a small navy for coastal defense would be sufficient to protect American interests.

These competing agendas led to debates and disagreements over the size and scope of the U.S. Navy. The Federalists pushed for the construction of larger, more powerful warships, while the Democratic-Republicans favored a more limited naval presence.

Despite these differences, the U.S. Navy did experience some development during this period. The construction of frigates such as the USS Constitution and the USS United States helped to bolster American naval power and protect American merchant ships. However, the navy remained relatively small compared to the naval forces of European powers.

Ultimately, the competing agendas of national defense during this period reflected the broader debates over the role of government and the extent of American involvement in global affairs. These debates would continue to shape U.S. naval development and foreign policy leading up to the War of 1812.

Question 3

When factors led to conflicts between settlers and Indians in the Ohio Territory?

Accepted Answer

Several factors led to conflicts between settlers and Native Americans in the Ohio Territory during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These factors include:

1. Land Disputes: As settlers from the United States moved westward into the Ohio Territory, they encroached on lands that were traditionally used and inhabited by various Native American tribes. Despite treaties and agreements that often designated certain lands for Native American use, settlers frequently ignored these and claimed land for themselves.

2. Broken Treaties: The United States government made numerous treaties with Native American tribes, promising them land, protection, or other forms of compensation in exchange for ceding territory to the United States. However, these treaties were often not honored by the government or were later broken, leading to distrust and anger among Native American tribes.

3. Cultural Differences: There were significant cultural misunderstandings and differences between the European-American settlers and the Native American tribes. These differences often led to conflicts over land use, as settlers typically practiced settled agriculture and private land ownership, while many Native American tribes followed a more nomadic lifestyle with communal land use.

4. Expansionist Policies: The doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which held that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, fueled the push for westward expansion. This expansionist policy often came at the expense of Native American lands and sovereignty.

5. Competition for Resources: As settlers moved into the Ohio Territory, they competed with Native Americans for natural resources such as game, timber, and water. This competition could lead to conflicts, especially as the settlers' presence and activities began to alter the landscape and deplete resources.

6. Military Actions: Skirmishes and battles between settlers (and the U.S. military) and Native American tribes were common. Notable conflicts in the Ohio Territory included the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) and the subsequent Treaty of Greenville (1795), which led to significant land cessions by Native American tribes.

7. Influence of European Powers: Prior to and even after the American Revolution, European powers such as Britain and France had alliances with various Native American tribes. These powers sometimes provided support to Native American resistance against American settlers, further exacerbating tensions.

8. Settler Retaliation and Native Resistance: As settlers faced attacks from Native American tribes who were defending their lands, they often retaliated with violence. Likewise, Native American tribes resisted the encroachment of settlers through raids and warfare, aiming to protect their territories and way of life.

These factors combined to create a volatile situation in the Ohio Territory, leading to a series of conflicts and confrontations that would continue until the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and beyond, which sought to forcibly relocate Native American tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River.

Question 4

The Quasi War was fought between which two nations?

Accepted Answer

A)   U.S. and France
B)   France and Spain
C)   U.S. and Great Britain
D)   U.S. and Spain

Question 5

Which of the following best describes why American merchants were vulnerable to pirate attacks in the late 1780s?

Accepted Answer

A)   The United States demobilized its navy.
B)   The United States had sided with France during their conflict with Great Britain.
C)   Great Britain refused to assist American vessels on the high seas.
D)   France waged naval attacks on American ships.

Question 6

How did the Calling Forth Act of 1792 limit the power of the president?

Accepted Answer

A)   It had to be certified by a federal judge.
B)   It had to be approved by Congress.
C)   It had to be called upon by the Secretary of State.
D)   It could only be issued with support from the local states.

Question 7

A navy was necessary in the late 1780s for all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   to project force in accordance with American expansionism.
B)   defend U.S. merchant interests around the globe.
C)   defend American ships against pirates.
D)   protect American merchants form French and British seizure.

Question 8

On August 20, 1794, where did General Anthony Wayne's Legion of the United States inflict a severe defeat on Native Americans?

Accepted Answer

A)   Fallen Timbers
B)   Fort Miami
C)   St. Clair's Defeat
D)   Three Forks

Question 9

Why did Thomas Jefferson propose a fleet of gunboats as a solution to the problem of coastal defense?

Accepted Answer

A)   They were relatively cheap to produce.
B)   They were heavily armed and could wield great offensive power.
C)   They were an effective supplement for America's existing navy.
D)   They were manned by privateers instead of a standing army.

Question 10

From 1804 to 1808, of the 257 gunboats ordered, how many were actually constructed?

Accepted Answer

A)   177
B)   127
C)   35
D)   0

Question 11

What factors, long term and proximate, led to the outbreak of the Tripolitan War?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Who sought to unite all the western tribes in an alliance against the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)   Tecumseh
B)   Blue Jacket
C)   Little Turtle
D)   The Prophet

Question 13

What major accomplishment came out of the Quasi War?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What major accomplishment came out of the...

Question 14

What were the initial military policy repercussions of the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair for the U.S.? What factors served to restrict American military options?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What were the initial military policy repercussions...

Question 15

How significant was the outcome of the battle of Tippecanoe for the Americans? For Indians? Was Tecumseh's leadership likely to have made a difference? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How significant was the outcome of the...

Question 16

How did support for the militias block Washington's attempts to form a standing army?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

Who was the first active U.S. Navy commander to make a name for himself in the Mediterranean?

Accepted Answer

A)   Edward Preble
B)   Stephen Decatur
C)   Richard Morris
D)   Richard Dale

Question 18

What were Jefferson's motivations for supporting the establishment of West Point Academy? Were political considerations involved? Did Jefferson contradict his own ideals in doing so? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What were Jefferson's motivations for supporting the...

Question 19

Why did Thomas Jefferson refuse to go to war with Great Britain following the Chesapeake-Leopard affair?

Accepted Answer

A)   He recognized that the United States was not politically, militarily, or economically ready to fight Great Britain.
B)   He feared that France would attack the United States from Mexico.
C)   He admitted that the United States had increased hostility by employing British sailors aboard American merchant ships.
D)   He feared that the United States would become bankrupt if a war did occur.

Question 20

All of these were important reasons for the United States to defeat the Indian confederacy in the Old Northwest EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   it provided the militia with experience in Indian fighting.
B)   it bolstered support for the new federal government established by the Constitution.
C)   it allowed settlement to occur in the region.
D)   it proved to the British that the United States could protect its borders.

Exam 4: Challenges for a New Nation