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American democracy has a lineage of
written records that we can trace to show the development of our nation, and
how each document builds on those before it to make our foundation of freedom
stronger. This video examines the
documents conceived during a most critical period of growth for America. Educators from noted American universities
share their insights on:
The Convention of 1818 (1818)
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This event resolved several important issues that followed the War of
1812. It defined the northern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase; it set
the U.S.-Canada border at the 19th parallel west to the Rockies; and, as an
interim agreement, it established the northern boundary of the Oregon
Country.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) -- Under
the guidance of Chief Justice John Marshall, this landmark U.S. Supreme Court
decision determined that the federal government had a right to legally
establish a national bank and that a state (in this case Maryland) could not
levy a state tax on a federal bank.
The Missouri Compromise (1820) -- When Maine and Missouri applied for statehood in 1819, the
question of slave or free state arose. Henry Clay proposed the compromise
that Maine be a free state and Missouri a slave state. The debate over
slave states versus free states would continue and finally erupt into the
Civil War 40 years later.
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) -- The United States announced to the world
its intent to defend its own liberty and the freedom of other nations in this
document, signed by President James Monroe. The document warned other
nations not to try to extend their political systems to our shores. It is one
of the most important documents of American History.
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Cerebellum Corporation