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.