LAD #21

                              Summary of Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth:

Andrew Carnegie had a firm belief that the gap between the rich and the poor was necessary to maintain a good economy. If one large middle class was created instead of having two different ones, the economy would fail. He believed that people should do work they enjoyed, learn all about their work, use their knowledge to make a living, and give back when they retire in order to benefit society. He disliked the idea of having the eldest son inherit all the money. He was a selfless man and he instead encouraged giving back. He especially wanted rich people to give money to common people and to leave them their money when they died. During his life, he was a philanthropist and put a lot of money into colleges (Carnegie Mellon) and libraries. Carnegie wrote The Gospel of Wealth to inform society what, in his beliefs,  the best way to handle money was. 

LAD #20

Summary of the Emancipation Proclamation:

On September 22nd, 1862 Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. He decided that all slaves, in the states rebelling against the United States, were from January 1st, 1863 forward, going to be free. The Executive Branch, the army, and the navy would all stand by this and maintain the new freedoms of the slaves. He goes on to list all of the states that this pertains to: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. He tells the states that their slaves are now free. He concludes by telling these newly freed slaves to be careful and avoid trouble 

and violence.

 

LAD #19

Summary of Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

His second address was fairly short and focused on the monumental issue of the time, the civil war. He had nothing new to say about the war that the citizens didn't already know. However, unlike his first address, where he stressed the importance of maintaining the union without a war, in his second he established the need for the war. He stated that one part of the country would go to war rather than have the nation be maintained as it is, and the other half would go to war to keep it as it is rather than have it fall apart. He stressed the issue of slavery once again and announced that God has his own plans in dealing with the issue of slavery. He closes by emphasizing the hope for a quick end to the painful war, a speedy recovery for the union, and that everyone will care for the soldiers and their families. He desires the nation to be at peace once again. 

LAD #18

Summary of Dred Scott Decision:

Dred Scott went to court against Sanford because he felt that he had the same rights as other men (white men) and that those rights had been infringed upon. The Court ruled that that was not the case because he was a slave and he was property. Dred Scott had gone from the South with his owner to the North. Scott believed that because he was in the North, he should have the right to be free so he sued. The Court under Roger B. Taney, however, ruled the other way. He said that since Scott's parents were immigrants to the country, he didn't have the right to sue in court because he was not a citizen. Also, because he was a slave, he was property and had no rights, and the court didn't have the power to take people's property away. Sanford, the white landowner, won under the constitutional fact that Sanford had the right to his property. Taney also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional in the process.

LAD #17

Summary of Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman"

Sojourner Truth's speech begins by her explaining how white women are treated delicately and pampered in society. She questions why even though she is a woman too she is forced to work in the field and gets beaten. Her speech is very emotional as she talks about her struggles and asks why her 13 children were sold off to slavery. She argues that she deserves opportunity and education even if she isn't as smart as a white person or a man. She concludes by responding to the clergy who had claimed that women don't have the same rights because Jesus wasn't a woman. She reminded them that Jesus was born to a woman. She wants women to turn the world right side up again and warns men not to get in the way.

LAD #16

Summary of "5th of July" by Frederick Douglas

Frederick Douglas spoke for the 4th of July in Rochester about slavery and the 4th of July. Typically 4th of July speeches are nationalistic and liberty filled. However, Douglas took on a different approach as he explained the mockery that the national holiday imposes on African Americans. While white men get to celebrate independence, for African Americans it is just a day when whites celebrate "equality" despite all of the oppression they have imposed upon Blacks. He goes into detail about all of the hardship and cruelty imposed on slaves. This makes the holiday an even more oppressive and brutal day for African American. Douglas concludes by stating that he will denounce slavery to his best ability and do it in a way that is just. Lastly, he says that slavery is the most vile and inhuman act. 

 

LAD #15 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Summary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address:

Lincoln addressed the nation about the civil war with the famous Gettysburg Address. He begins with "fourscore and seven years ago" and goes on to thank the soldiers who had died. He honors them and expresses his respect for the men who lost their lives fighting to preserve the country. He explains that his address alone will never be enough to show how thankful the citizens truly are. This ties into his next point which was that those who are living need to be more dedicated than ever before. They must do all it takes to preserve the union so that those who died did not do it in vain. He concludes by reminding the people that the government was created by the people, for the people and it will continue its duty of protecting the rights of the citizens.

LAD #14 Lincoln's Inaugural Address

Summary of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address:

In his address to the nation, Lincoln focused upon the daunting issue of slavery. Slavery had been forcing a divide between the North and the South which was threatening the preservation of the country. Lincoln did not choose a side in the issue but instead stressed his decision to focus on preserving the union. He constantly brings up the Constitution and talks about how there is no clear answer to the slavery debate within it. He states that he is aware that both the North and the South want to amend the Constitution and he says he is fine with it because the government is for the people. However, he stressed the dangers and urged the people to be careful in any changes to the government. The upmost concern is the unity of the nation and this dispute can not break up the nation. 

Lincoln also talks about how the Constitution does state that a person held to labor in one state is not able to shake that duty and become free by entering another state. This statement specifically referred to the fugitive slaves that escaped from the South to the North. Again, Lincoln strongly urged the  preservation of the union. He went on to say that any act of secession would be very harmful to the unity of the country and should be avoided at all costs. He concludes by saying that, “we must not be ememies,” but friends. It is crucial that the North and the South realize that the United States needs to be preserved even if the issue of slavery prevails. 

LAD #13 Calhoun Speech

Summary of John Calhoun's 1850 Speech:

This speech was read by another senator on March 4, 1850 because Calhoun was too ill to read it himself.Calhoun realized that the state of unity in the U.S. was in danger. During the speech he discussed the problems that were facing the Union. He brings up how the South was already bothered with the issues over slavery but now, the tensions have increased and Southern agitation has grown. In addition to this, the South was being buried in government, which was a result of the South having fewer states and a lower population than the North. On top of that, he says, the growth of the  States in the North was only going to continue. At this rate, the North will end up with a substantially bigger representation in the Senate. Similarly, the South claimed that their States were restricted in land claims. This was the result of Northern attempts to gain Texas. Also, the South complained that they received an undue amount of taxation, while the North on the other hand was gaining the  territory and the benefits from the taxes. In addition, the South was being crushed by the tariffs because it was mostly an exporter of goods and had very few factories so the benefits of taxes were not felt by the South. On another note, slavery was a daunting issue still left unresolved and Calhoun went on to say that since the North was so adamant for abolition, the South could only follow suit or secede. Calhoun was extremely fearful of the nation falling apart and he appealed to the North to try and get them to consent to Southern desires in order to preserve the country. He believes if the North gives in to their demands then the tension will dissipate. He goes on to make the important point that only the North can institute the Constitutional amendment needed to re-establish the balance between the North and the South because the North is stronger. Calhoun pressures the Senators to decide if they are going to accept his plan and submit to Southern demands or force the South into secession. He concludes by saying that California will be a test as to whether it is admitted as Northern (which the South will see as the North trying to crush them) or as a Southern state (which will be seen as an effort to appease the South and keep the nation together). 

LAD #12 Polk's War Message

Summary of Polk's 1846 War Message:

President Polk begins by stating that he had sent a diplomat to remedy relations with Mexico earlier that year. However, he informs that Mexico had refused to accept the envoy and they caused innocent American blood to be shed. This was after the President sent John Slidell to Mexico to address any areas of tensions between the U.S. and Mexico. He went on to say that the Mexicans' response was violent. The Mexican government, under command of General Herrera, denied Slidell and any diplomatic discussion. Then another rejection occurred under the next leader, General Paredas. Herrera had been forced to surrender government control to Paredas by the military. After these rejections, Slidell was forced to return home with none of the issues resolved. The President called for the  United States to move troops to Mexico. They were placed on the Mexican side of the DelNorte River. While intended to maintain security, the troops ended up beginning an attack on the Mexican troops. Polk finishes by saying that it is crucial that Americans begin to accept and fight the now unavoidable war. He finished by stressing the importance of the war for maintaining American interests, honor, and rights that Mexico was infringing upon.

LAD #11 Seneca Falls Declaration

Summary of the Seneca Falls Declaration:

The Declaration of Sentiments, also known as the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, was signed in 1848 by 68 women and 32 men at the Seneca Falls Convention in Seneca Falls, New York. It was the first women's rights convention. It was based on the Declaration of Independence and written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The document strove to help attain civil, social, political, and religious rights for women, depicting the inalienable rights of both men and women. It restates many ideas brought up in the Declaration of Independence. For example, it mentions the ongoing yet unjust superiority of men to women and how they are equal yet women have no rights. Women must follow the laws and abide by the government in which they have no voice or power. A long list of grievances is then stated. It lists all of the injustices to women such as the lack of the right to vote, the inability of women to hold property or money, and that women can't have the same jobs as men. Then the document concludes with a list of resolutions and principles for women's equality. The declaration was a way for women were to assert their grievances about the injustices they face and it was a big step toward equality.

  

LAD #10 Monroe Doctrine

1.  What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?

The Monroe Doctrine expressed America's strength and influence as an international power. The United States was a new nation that Europe seemed to underestimate, by issuing this Doctrine the U.S. established the fact that it was powerful. The Doctrine served to prevent Europe from any further colonization of the Americas which was a bold move considering the U.S. was assuming control and telling European nations what to do. It also showed America's desire to keep peace and maintain its form of government and legitimize its government in the eyes of Europe. 

2.  What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?

Adams hoped to keep the U.S. safe from wars and affairs with European nations. He wanted to keep any further European influence that would threaten the safety of the U.S. away. He wanted to keep peace and neutrality. Adams also hoped to establish the U.S. as a powerful new nation that would be influential in foreign affairs and policies. 

3.  What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone or American Foreign Policy?

 "As a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. . ." is the phrase that serves as the cornerstone because it is saying that the U.S. is forbidding European nations from further colonization in the Americas. The U.S. is stating that they are free and in order to protect their government and way of life European influence needs to be kept at a minimum in America.

Columbus Blog #8

Should Columbus be considered a hero or a villain?

Christopher Columbus should be considered a villain because his actions were cruel and inhumane and he did nothing that could be considered heroic except gain money for Spain. Firstly, Columbus didn't discover America. The Native Americans had already been there for thousands of years, the only thing he did was introduce America to Europe, and there is evidence the Vikings did that first anyway. Secondly, he was a murder. He started the vicious slave trade in the Americas. Even though he was impressed with how welcoming and kind the natives were, he still sold them off into slavery. He worked them to death in the mines and if a slave didn't provide the amount he was supposed to his hands were cut off. In addition to this, Columbus and his crew made a game of cutting the arms and legs off of the native children. He also brought attack dogs to chase escaped slaves and he would burn them alive or cut their noses off. Columbus also sold women and children off to be sex slaves and killed babies to feed the dogs. He killed off the Arawaks so quickly that in only 50 years there was not a single person left. Thirdly, he began the African slave trade in the Americas when he brought in black slaves to replace the natives who had died. All in all, while he did discover America for Europe, the appalling crimes he committed against innocent people make it clear that he is a villain. 

LAD: #9

Summary of Jefferson's First Inaugural Address:

Thomas Jefferson gave his first inaugural speech on March 4, 1801. He first graciously accepts his presidency and thanks his fellow men. He goes on to discuss the importance of staying united and keeping the great virtues such as equality and liberty ongoing. He states that "we are all Republicans, we are all Federalists," people may have different opinions, but the principles are the same. He praises the Republican style government as the best in the world. Jefferson mentions how in the United States, "honesty, truth, temperance, gratitude, and the love of man" create happiness and the government will protect its citizens but let them pursue their own business in industry and improvement. He also acknowledges the rights of the states, general government, and the people. Jefferson stresses the importance of things like freedom of speech, religion, press, person, and trial by jury in order to guide the young nation. He finishes by saying that he will make mistakes but they will never be intentional and he will do his best to run the great nation.     

   

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

In his farewell address, Washington thanked the American people but also cautioned them about their duty to maintain the union and control the factions. He encouraged the various parts of the U.S. (North, South, Frontier) to keep a close knit bond. It is important that America be a diverse people that share common goals. In addition, he also encouraged a sort of checks and balances. He wanted the various factions present to be checked as much as possible. On top of that, even though they will never be removed, he wanted to limit their power as much as possible so that the good of all remains intact. Finally, he stated that in order to preserve the Union, the political parties would have to resist doing anything out of spite or revenge. He believed that the spread of knowlege and morality would help combat the corruption of politicians. 

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

The Proclamation of Neutrality was created April 22, 1793 by George Washington. It stated that the United States was going to be neutral in the conflicts and wars of other nations, especially France and Great Britian. Any citizen who was caught violating this neutrality by helping another nation would be in trouble with the law. 

LAD#5: Federalist#10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are difficult to eliminate because of liberty. Since factions unite people with common interests and passions, destroying them is difficult. In order to eliminate a faction, everyone must have the same opinion meaning liberty must be destroyed. The destruction of liberty goes against the foundations of the United States making the elimination of factions very difficult.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

Factions can be controlled either by removing its causes or controlling its effects. Causes can be removed by the destruction of liberty or by making everyone have the same opinion. If everyone has the same opinion, factions are no longer needed. The other way is to control the effects. This can be done if the majority takes a regular vote. This will preserve the passions and interests of this majority by overcoming the faction.

 

Republican Motherhood Blog

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

As a result of the Revolutionary War, the men of the house left to fight. This was key to the transformation of women. They were required to raise the youth and teach them. In order to this, it was important that women were educated. It was mentioned in documents 1 and 2 that women were to teach their sons about liberty and government. Also, in the third and fourth documents it mentions how the havoc and suffering caused by the war can be lessened if women take a role. All of these examples of women gaining more influence and responsibility in society show the increase of Republican Motherhood.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Republican Motherhood increased the responsibilities and roles of women but they were still only granted these responsibilities in the home. In the first document, it mentions how women were not to "mingle in any great public movements." In other documents, such as document two, it states that women should be educated and be able to write and keep books. Republican Motherhood meant women were educated and could indirectly influence society by teaching the young but did not let that education allow them to directly be involved in government.

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?

Republican Motherhood allowed women to feel important and that their work was necessary. It gave them a sense of pride and even an education. The third document informs women that "the reformation of a world is in your power." Republican Motherhood gave women new responsibility and the ability to influence society, even if that influence was indirectly made through their sons. 

1. Description.

Mary is sitting on a couch with her two young children. They seem to be wealthy and important based on their clothes. 

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?

The woman is in the center, indicating her importance in the family and her influence on the children. She looks very well put together and important. She is well dressed but it can be seen that she is republican not aristocratic because despite her nice clothes, she is not dressed as fancy as an aristocrat would have been. 

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

Her sons look happy and healthy. They are being well behaved for the portrait as well. All of these things show that they have been raised very well.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm?

Her arm is in her son's lap. This shows her role in raising her children and teaching her sons important morals and values in addition to things like liberty and government. Women controlled little during this time but they saw their responsibilities in teaching their kids as important. This portrait represents the feelings and beliefs of Republican Motherhood. 

Blog #4: Revolution Article

Five Things I Learned 

1. Franklin and Washington worked to build up their reputations. They realized they could manipulate the way they were remembered. They made sure to make themselves look like heroes in memoirs and Washington even treated his former aide-de-camp exceptionally well in hopes that he would write a  biography that made him up to be incredible. I knew that the Founding Fathers wanted good reputations but I never knew that Washington and Franklin went to great lengths to make sure they were remembered as heroes.

2. There is less emphasis placed upon the brutality of the War of Independence because it was sandwiched between the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention. Paintings and speeches often didn't stress how much suffering occurred like they did during the Civil War. This causes people to believe that the War of Independence was not nearly as bad as the Civil War.

3. The victors in battle took the clothes and supplies of the losers. The Americans were so lacking in supplies many didn't have clothes so when a battle was won they took the clothes of the British and left them to freeze in the harsh weather.This helped the Americans survive the cold and the British did the same when they won a battle.

4. The civilians were greatly hurt by the war. Towns were invaded and destroyed, disease from the battlefields came into the towns and people got sick and died, and costal raids left warehouses and shipyards wrecked. In addition, Indian attacks happened and individual homes were raided and destroyed.

5. The Loyalists faced extreme suffering in the hands of the rebels. After the war, more than 100,000 Loyalists were exiled. When Loyalists were captured during the war such as at King's Mountain and Hillsborough, they were led into captivity and often murdered. 

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

1. The very beginning of the Declaration of Independence discusses the democratic principles that America will hold after achieving independence. It mentions natural rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are held by all people and can't be taken away. The Declaration of Independence also explains that if the people's natural rights are violated, the people must take action to replace the government.

2. The colonists had many grievances with King George III. These grievances included infringing upon the rights of the colonists, taxing unfairly, the denial of free trade, the lack of a fair justice system, a lack of protection on the colonial borders, and the creation of laws without consulting the colonists. All of these actions were used by the colonists to support their claim that Britain was hurting their way of life in America.

3. The colonists conclude that they are now joined together as the United States of America and are free and independent from Britain. They also now have the power that comes with independence, such as regulating their own trade and going to war. The colonies are now separated from Britain and the representatives of the colonies pledge their lives, fortunes, and honor to the Declaration of Independence.


                        

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was the editor and the printer for the New York Weekly Journal in America. He was a German immigrant and he attacked the New York Governor William Crosby for being corrupt. He disagreed with the Governor's actions including removal of the Chief Court Justice Lewis Morris and the prosecution of the Interim Governor Rip Van Dam. He was arrested for Seditious Libel because Crosby was angered.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

People thought the charge was unfair because Zenger was charged as being libelous, but they argued that he was stating the truth and therefore the charge was inaccurate. Hamilton emphasized this point in defending Zenger and directly targeted the jury, which ultimately led to Zenger being regarded as non-guilty. 

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

It marked the time where the outcomes of libel cases were changed. It solidified that if a statement is true then it is not libelous. It also was a major step for the importance of freedom of speech in America.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
                                                                   
The significance of the trial was the fact that newspapers were now allowed to criticize as long as the statements were truthful and they could not be charged. It also gave a new way to handle libel cases and advanced the freedom of speech.



                                                                     
                                                                  journalism.arizona.edu

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

One major concept was the establishment of a form of government. Other concepts include the continued loyalty to the King as well as to Christianity. The Mayflower Compact also included the enforcement of laws and acts for the people.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

It is evident that the Mayflower Compact reflects the "Old" world in its clear loyalty to the King and Christianity as well as the incorporation of government ideals that are aspects of British law. However, it also reflects attachment to the "New" world in the sense that there are beginnings of democracy and mentions of having a local government ruling for the people.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

They were alike because they both set up governments in the "New" world. However, the Mayflower Compact was very general and almost just served as a basic idea on how the "New" world government would eventually be run. The Fundamental Orders went into very specific detail and included actual laws and the ways to run elections and court trials. The Fundamental Orders clearly stated how the colonial government would run while the Mayflower Compact had a general approach.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The colonists needed a way to unify the towns in the colony and efficiently run them. This required a specific government and set of laws to be set up, which was done through the Constitution. The colonists also liked the idea of having the power in their own hands to run their colony instead of solely relying on the government of Great Britain which was an ocean away (and part of the reason they left in the first place).

5) In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?

The Fundamental Orders have several aspects that clearly show the colonists preference to avoid a situation where one person gets all the control (like in Great Britain). This can be seen with the democratic ideals that were weaved in. The Fundamental Orders made it so that more people voted and had a say in government. Also, there were two General Assemblies which provided a sort of checks and balances aspect to their new government so no one got complete control. Lastly, they created limits on the amount of time people could be in power so as to avoid someone becoming an all-powerful ruler for life. The fact that all of this was included in the Fundamental Orders shows the colonists's distaste for the government in Great Britain and their desire for a government run their way.


                                                                           

                                                                                 

               The Mayflower Compact                                        Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
                     ncmayflower.org                                                             threebrotherswhiskey.com