Robert Morgan Analysis
Robert Morgan claims that the problems caused by westward expansion were not the fault of a few famous people but of common citizens.The claims of Robert Morgan are reasonable. To support this claim,the three text used will be, “ Thomas Jefferson’s America, 1801” --Stephen Ambrose, “Reporting to the President, September 23- December 31, 1806” (pages 418-21) -- Stephen Ambrose, and “ Chief Joseph Speaks…” --Chief Joseph. Additionally, Robert Morgan states in the text,” Historians may concentrate on the famous, but most of what happens is the composite deeds of common folk,” (Morgan 2). This explains that everyone remembers the famous people during westward expansion but not regular everyday people. In the article, “Chief Joseph
Speaks…” Chief Joseph explains how the white men found gold in the mountains, after they befriended the Nez Perce tribe, and started taking over their land, killing the Indians, and stealing from them. Chief Joseph states, “ Nearly every year the agent came over from Lapwai and ordered us to the reservation,” (Joseph paragraph 2). In “ Thomas Jefferson’s America, 1801”--by Stephen Ambrose, It states, “Americans of 1801 were constantly thinking about water. Their heads were full of schemes to build canals using locks to advance upriver or to go around rapids,”(Jefferson page 55). This explains that it wasn't just Thomas Jefferson who came up with ideas for westward expansion but also all of the Americans. In the text, “Reporting to the President, September 23- December 31, 1806”(pages 418-21)-- by Stephen Ambrose, on these pages is states that Lewis and Clarke went on the expedition to gather information on the land. They did this so everyone could know if it was safe to expand. On the other hand, one could argue that Robert Morgan's claims of westward expansion not being the fault of only a few famous people but of common citizens as well are unreasonable. In the text by Robert Morgan it states,” Andrew Jackson probably did more to extend democratic power to a greater number of citizens of the nation in that era than anyone except Jefferson. Yet he is blamed for displacing and destroying much of the native population in the Southeast,”(Morgan paragraph 4). This shows that Andrew Jackson was the cause of westward expansion.
Speaks…” Chief Joseph explains how the white men found gold in the mountains, after they befriended the Nez Perce tribe, and started taking over their land, killing the Indians, and stealing from them. Chief Joseph states, “ Nearly every year the agent came over from Lapwai and ordered us to the reservation,” (Joseph paragraph 2). In “ Thomas Jefferson’s America, 1801”--by Stephen Ambrose, It states, “Americans of 1801 were constantly thinking about water. Their heads were full of schemes to build canals using locks to advance upriver or to go around rapids,”(Jefferson page 55). This explains that it wasn't just Thomas Jefferson who came up with ideas for westward expansion but also all of the Americans. In the text, “Reporting to the President, September 23- December 31, 1806”(pages 418-21)-- by Stephen Ambrose, on these pages is states that Lewis and Clarke went on the expedition to gather information on the land. They did this so everyone could know if it was safe to expand. On the other hand, one could argue that Robert Morgan's claims of westward expansion not being the fault of only a few famous people but of common citizens as well are unreasonable. In the text by Robert Morgan it states,” Andrew Jackson probably did more to extend democratic power to a greater number of citizens of the nation in that era than anyone except Jefferson. Yet he is blamed for displacing and destroying much of the native population in the Southeast,”(Morgan paragraph 4). This shows that Andrew Jackson was the cause of westward expansion.