History: I Wish I’d been there
Question 1
The book ‘I wish I’d been there’ focuses partly on the best explorers that left a mark on the American history; Lewis and Clark. It is relevant to note that the expedition by this two was started by the then president of the US, Thomas Jefferson. The president supported Lewis and Clark in the company of their crew as they explored the western ocean. This section will assess the impact that the expedition had on the explorers and how they managed them.
Challenges faced by Lewis and Clark and how they were Overcomed
The explorers were victim to adverse weather patterns; heavy rains, strong winds, thunderstorm, floods, boat spills and freezing temperatures. Clark, his slave, and an interpreter’s family were close to be swept by flash floods. They went to look for cover from the storm in a hanging rock; they however met floods that were fast increasing (Hollinshead). This resulted to Clark losing his compass and tomahawk among other things. Sacagawea’s child on the other hand lost a cradle board. With these adverse weather conditions, the explorers were able to overcome the situation by building a Fort Mandan from cottonwood logs. The structure was used when the weather was cold and rainy. The shelter was similarly used as a rest place from the effects brought by the journey; rough and long that took energy from most of the explorers. The explorers suffered from heatstroke and hard labor from pulling the boats and carrying their luggage’s, climbing trees and building structures; caches and canoes as well as lack of sleep.
The crew led by Lewis and Clark at certain instance got lost, the crew went through the wrong path due to the maps they were using which had not been updated or had wrong directions. They however got back in track by retracing their paths. The path they went through was ever different from the last one they had and difficult to remember, the campers at a certain point moved far from their camping site as they were in search for two of their horses. It took them two weeks to get them back.
Due to the varied socio-economic and political setting of varied nations, most people speak different languages. This instance was similarly encountered in the expedition. The crew led by Lewis and Clark had encountered a number of people that spoke different languages from what they spoke. The explorers met American Indians who made efforts to get to know their cultural, social and economic aspects. The explorers were able to create good connection with them as they went about their expedition, in addition, the interpreter they brought along helped in communication with certain groups. The locals were of great use to the explorers as they knew the terrain well and offered them useful tips on how to go about their journey.
Common with most expeditions, the explorers would have to carry food with them so that they are able to get energy as they go about their journey. This can however be a challenge in case it gets depleted. This can be said of the expedition by Lewis and Clark who had most of their reserves coming to an end. The mountains that they traversed had no food and the crew went to the extent of eating candles and colts, while the horses did not have grass (Hollinshead). The crew got weak as a result and this affected they journey. The crew was however able to overcome this challenge with the help of Sacagawea who sort and collected wild fruits.
Some of these challenges took a toll on most of the explorers and adversely affected the crew and made them take much time that they could have used in the journey. However, with of all the challenges, they were able to push forward with their exploration of the western expansion.
Question 5
‘James k. Polk and the election of 1844’ is focused on the election of 1844 where James Polk won and major events that took place after that including the American and Mexico war. This question is focused on the war that took place between America and Mexico. This war was based on territorial issues; America wanted to acquire a section of land that Mexico had and advance the country’s boundary from Texas to California. The president at the time was James Polk who had the goal to take up this land. His strategies involved developing a military set up so as to attack them (Hollinshead). This war however did not get much support as it wanted to.
The section of Mexico that was being contested was Texas and its invasion by the US brought about the war. In the period from 1864 to 1848, the US engaged in war with Mexico so as to take up this land that went to the Pacific Ocean.
The America-Mexico War
The war came about in the 1830s with the massive number of Americans in the Mexico region feeling that they were being mistreated. The leadership at the time pulled down any efforts that were rallied so as to reject him; the rebels that were noted in Alamo were killed. With the Republic of Texas suffering to stand on its feet, it made efforts to become part of the US. In spite of the rejection from the congress, the US captured Texas in 1845.
President James K. Polk got elected in 1845 and was keen in getting back the land from Mexico. Polk was sure that the acquisition of the land from Mexico that went up to California was vital for the prospect of the US. Polk had the intention of buying the land and not uses war so as to acquire it. The war however came to be since America got strong opposition from the occupants. This led America to engage in war with Mexico; violence erupted with the claim that the Mexicans had fired first. Though with opposition from the congress, most notable was the senator from Illinois Abraham Lincoln who was not convinced that the war had started on American land, James K. Polk was successful. He argued that the war was necessary as there were American citizens who had suffered for long in the hands of the Mexicans and actions had to be taken against the Mexicans, stating “…the two nations are now at war” (Hollinshead).
The war between America and Mexico had varied responses, most notable were journalist who attributed the war to be a ‘manifest destiny’; stating that it was necessary so as to extent the aspect of liberty. However those opposing it saw it as a crime. The war ended up with the America taking possession of Texas as part of its own as well as a number of casualties from both sides.
Work Cited
Hollinshead, Byron. I Wish I’d been there. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007 Print.
