LAD #21: Canegie's Gospel of Wealth

In 1889, Andrew Carnegie, one of the most successful businessmen at the time, wrote his Gospel of Wealth. He followed his ideals and ended up donating a vast majority to libraries. Not only that, but he believed in death taxes. Carnegie believed that during this time period, the gap between the wealthy and the poor was greater than before. This gap should be welcomed because it will ultimately benefit society. This condition, though, gives wealth to only a few. The laws, are biased towards the wealthy since the government is taking a laissez-faire approach. He offers three possible solutions of dealing with excess wealth, for the good of society. They are; leaving money for families, the public can use it, or the wealthy can give it out and use it as needed. The first is no justifiable because based on England's primogeniture tradition, conflicts would arise between inheritors. It will harm the inheritors more than it will help them, relationships could be torn apart. The problem with the second option is that it the wealth won't be used until after the death of the owner, thereby meaning that the ways it is used are not up to the person who left the money, so it could be misused or spent on things that the person didn't want it spent on. That leaves the last option, which is the best since the owner of the money can decide how to use it. He goes off on a tangent saying how Communism with an equal distribution of wealth will not get used since there is no one that will be willing to share their small sum of money, a larger sum of money means that money can be used. The wealthy have duties to follow, including living a modest life, and if he choses to share his money with others, they should be in the form of trust funds. Therefore the man of wealth is one that has the experience and willingness to do better by the poor than they themselves can.

LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1st, 1863, Lincoln ordered the Emancipation Proclamation. He orders that the slaves in the states of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, aka the CSA are free, and are welcome to join the Union's military and navy. That they will be recognized as free persons, and should abstain from violence.

LAD #19: Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

On March 4th, 1865, Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address. In it, he reasons that this Inaugural Address is less important than the first, because the nation is currently engrossed in a war, and he has had many opportunities to give speeches to the people. He remembers how during his First Address, he had much more to say, because the nation was at a divide, but that war was inevitable because some people were willing to fight for what they wanted, and yet other were willing to fight to keep unity. Lincoln notes than, that the main cause of the war was the issue of slavery. No one expected this war to take as long as it is. Each side prays to the same God, asking for wrath to be taken on the other, but God has not responded yet, and His purposes are still unknown. God has His own reasons. Lincoln ends with "malice toward none" and a hope for "a just and lasting peace among ourselves"

LAD #18: Dred Scott Desicion

First, Justice Nelson was tasked with the writing of the majority, based on their decision, but Nelson, neglected to write the will of the majority, and rather wrote the will of the minority, himself. Seeing that Nelson did not take into account the other opinions, the Court then tasked Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. Taney actually took in the opinions of the majority, as well as taking into account Negro citizenship and the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise. President Buchanan before his inaugural address contacted the Supreme Court to ask for the decision, and upon hearing the decision, made sure to throw all his support behind it. The decision was that negroes, even free ones were not citizens, and as a result, did not have the liberty of suing in a federal court. The Missouri Compromise was deemed unconstitutional because it deprived people of their right to property aka slaves. Scott was ruled a slave since he originally came from a slave state, and the case was thrown out of court on the basis that it lacked jurisdiction.  

LAD #17: Ain't I A Woman Speech

Sojourner Truth is standing up for the rights of negro women, the "double jeopardy people". She starts off by noting how women should be helped out of carriages, because they are fragile and dainty, and should get the best place, but she has never gotten that, because she is a woman. Women like her should have as much rights as their counterparts because they are as tough, they work as hard, and they can get beaten just as much. Then Sojourner mixes in some religion, noting how Jesus came from a woman not as man.

LAD #16: 5th of July Speech

 

Frederick Douglass starts off his speech by noting how they asked him to prepare a speech commemorating the Declaration of Independence. Then he is quick to note the irony in the fact that these white men are free and celebrating their Independence, but his people are still enslaved, so e cannot celebrate with these white men who are free. America, supposedly land of the free, is not free for all. African Americans are as able as white, so therefore, they should have the same equality. It is wrong to work these African American people without wages, to hit them and lash them, to sell them like property, and starve them. The Fourth of July to an enslaved person, is a mockery at them. This nation has done worse atrocities to their slaves than their European counter-parts.

LAD #15: Gettysburg Address

On November 19th, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. He starts off by saying that America was based off of the fact that all men are created equal, and that equality is what led to the American Revolution. The people who have died at Gettysburg have done so because they have faith in what they believed in. Their cause was a noble one, and they died fighting for it. The men that fought here will never be forgotten. The soldiers still living and fighting are dedicated to their causes and should keeping on fighting, but that those who died are the real heroes today, and that they should be remembered because of how hard they worked for what they believed in.

LAD #14: First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

On March 4th, 1861, Abraham Lincoln presented his inaugural speech. In it, Lincoln addressed the South's fears of losing their rights to owning slaves. He clearly starts off by noting their anxiety, and telling them that he has no intentions against them or their right to slavery, even though the party in government has changed to the Republican Party. He then says that he has no right to remove slavery. He promises that any slaves who escape to free states do not get to be free, and if caught, they will be brought back to their owners. He then directs the South to the fact that they signed the Constitution and therefore, as a result, are "locked into" the Union. He goes on to say that violent actions taken against the government will be considered "treason" against the government, and only then will he need to enforce laws. He then says that the country must stay together because it is a union, one part without the other will not last. The ends by saying that the Union must have peace with one another, that no one section should be divided against another section, in order to maintain a stable government.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

Calhoun, in his speech, states the many reasons that the US's unity is threatened by sectionalism. Some of the causes include slavery, which the Southerners were very discontent with getting rid of, because it was their work force. As well as the growing political parties of the Democrats and Whigs, which caused people to ally with either side, and to hate those who opposed their party. The Northerners now have a greater say in government because of the addition of Northern states, and as a result, can do as pleases themselves, completely ignoring the Southern part of the Country's wants.  Then, there's the fact that the South brings in most of the revenue, but the North, because of their greater and still growing power, gets the bulk of the South's money. Calhoun then goes on to re-elaborate on the fact that slavery is a sore spot for the South, and that there is an underlying threat of secession from the Union. Calhoun wants the country to do its best to stay united, by appeasing the South in any way they can.

LAD #12: President Polk's War Message

 Polk starts off by saying that the United States had tried to has peaceful relations with the Mexican government, even sending envoys to try and make amends over boundary disputes; but the Mexicans would not entertain their ideas. Polk sent Mr. Slidell to help fulfill the desires regarding boundary disputes. General Herrera, the governor was willing to hear the envoy, but just before this could go through, the government was taken over by General Paredes, who would not hear what the envoy had to say. Polk order troops to be ready to take action, and placed them between the Nueces and the Del Norte in Texas, this is because Texas asked to be annexed into the United States. The troops were across from Matamoras, where the Mexican troops were stationed. The Mexicans responded that if the American troops were not moved farther back within 24 hours, that the Mexicans would attack. Polk then goes on to state that the once friendly relations are long gone and the US is justified and should go to war with Mexico because it is in their best interests.

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

This Declaration was created in 1848,  with the Declaration of Independence in mind. That is to say that, the Seneca Falls Declaration states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal..." the same way as the Declaration in 1776. Starting off, the women list their many grievances with the government, and the fact that women are considered inferior to men, thereby giving them less rights. They include, no voice in government, no right to divorce, and if divorced, women don't get guardianship of their children, no right to property, or the money they make, and no right to a college education. Like the Declaration in 1776, the women then states resolutions to this problem. These include, women being equal to men, more rights within the Church, and being taken seriously in public/being able to contribute her own ideas in public meeting without being ignored.

LAD #10

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

• The American perspective post war of 1812 was pretty much that they felt on top of the world, they had high patriotism and confidence in their country and its' abilities, since they did not lose to Britain in their "Second War of Independence". It was a shout in the European faces that America could not be colonized.

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

• When Adams wrote the Monroe Doctrine, he wanted to show that the States were not open to colonization, and never again would be. He also said that the powerful Europeans were limited to the Eastern Hemisphere, and that the United States' could, in essence, gain more land to establish itself as a superpower nation.

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

• The cornerstone for the American Foreign Policy is found in the phrase, "Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries from none". This pretty much sums up the neutral policy that America planned on trying to preserve.

Columbus Blog

      We all get a day off on October 12th. But have we ever stopped to wonder about the man behind the day? Have we ever stopped to wonder about Christopher Columbus? Christopher Columbus, the man who "sailed the ocean blue in 1492" and started the colonizing of the Americas was seen as both a hero and a villain. Many people see him as both, but, to a greater extent, he was seen as a villain because of what he did to the many natives that he encountered.
       Columbus, the man who gives his name to the October 12th day off; treated the natives in his area harshly. As he boarded the ship set for Asia, promising the King and Queen of Spain to bring back lots of gold. The way a wealthy nation was defined during that time period. The first place that Columbus landed was on the Bahama Island where he met the Arawak Indians. They gave him the gifts that they had to offer, but all he was looking for was gold. But, they had no gold to offer, he took some of them aboard as prisoners to lead him to the source of gold, as he saw some of the gold in the Indians' ears. He then sailed to Hispaniola, where he found small bits of gold in the river, but; the problem was that the gold was nowhere near enough to give to the King and Queen and the many people that financed his journey. Then, in 1495, one thousand five hundred Arawak Indians were rounded up, the five hundred best were taken to Spain and only three hundred of those lived. The cruelty that the Indians faced when Columbus landed from traveling the great ocean blue was indescribable.
       The cruelty didn't stop there either, during the two years that Columbus was in Haiti, his "home base" through murder, bleeding out to death, and suicide, only one-half of the original 250,000 inhabitants remained. After there was no more gold to be taken from  the area, Columbus helped create encomiendas. A fancy way of saying areas of slavery. The number of slaves kept decreasing, by 1515, there were only 50,000 slaves and by 1550, only five hundred remained. By 1650, none of the Indians were left on the island.
       Of course, Columbus had some good attributes as well, without him, the Americas as we know them, probably wouldn't have been discovered for another couple of years, shifting history as we know it. It was common practice during that time period to own slaves, even Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Constitution, and George Washington owned slaves. This was common practice, and Columbus, like everyone else followed this practice.  So, really, we cant blame just Columbus for his inhumane treatment of the Natives.
       Columbus can be seen as both a hero and a villain, some seen him as more of a hero; and yet many others will see him as a villain. The truth of the matter is that he is both. He is hero and villain, it just depends on which way he is seen more of by a particular person. As one wise person once said, "It all depends on your Historiography, people will interpret history differently, and its based on their religion, environment, race, socioeconomic standing, and demography".


Source: Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. New York: HarperCollins,
     1999. Print.

LAD #9

On March 14th, Thomas Jefferson gave his First Inaugural Address, in it he says;

•  He coveys that he is humbled by the fact that he was chosen to be president and he is unsure of how good he will be, but that by the people's help he will do good 
• He will make errors sometimes, and that people shouldn't think that he does them intentionally
• He wants to be instrumental in giving all people the freedoms they deserve
• That he will abide by the laws and help enforce them from the Constitution
•  He asks the citizens to unite together as one nation
• He says that the citizens of this country have the right to have different opinions on their governments
•  He conveys the meaning of losing the attachments of British values that they once had, and making new values based on their like-minded ideals of unity and republicanism when he says "Republican principles, our attachment to union...  Kindly separated by nature and a wide ocean from the [other] quarter of the globe"
•  He then goes on to say that he will ensure and protect the following rights of people:
• "Equal and exact justice to all men"
• peaceful relations with all nations
• foreign isolation
• Election by the people (majority)
• freedom of religion
• a disciplined militia
• increase in trade and commerce
• freedom of the press
• trail by jury
• protection under habeas corpus

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

In 1796, Washington's wrote his Farewell Address. In it, he explains that he is "stepping down" from his spot as President after being voted into office two times. This set the precedent for future presidents even though it wasn't law-binding. He is choosing to "retire". He then thanks his country for supporting and honoring him. He then states that they are to keep their love of liberty with them in everything they do and to work together. To stay away from war and interfering with other countries' politics by being neural with all countries. As, foreign influence will corrupt the country and cause factions. He further warns against faction that will divide the new republic. He tells the citizens of America to work towards religious morality and political prosperity.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

On April 22nd 1793, George Washington decreed his Proclamation of Neutrality. In it, he deemed the new country to not interfere with the war  going on between France against Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands. He also warned against people who try to aid any of that powers, that they will lose their protection under the United States and could be prosecuted.

LAD #5: Federalist #10

1.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

• Because people have different interests so they like to "hang out" with people that have the same views as them. Not everyone is the same and these differences cause divides (factions) among people. People have the liberty and  free will in this country to decide what to do.

 

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

• Factions can be controlled by removing their effects; since removing the freedom to let factions exist would contradict what the American revolution was for. Since a minority faction is in essence a, minority, it can be easily controlled because the majority will outvote it. To control a majority, either the same view of the majority most not occur at the same time; or, a representative democracy.

Republican Motherhood

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

• As stated in Document A, women should be the "nursery or the future man and of the undying spirit". This reflects the women's new role in teaching about patriotism a key feature of the Revolutionary War. This is how a Republican Mother shows her patriotism to her country. It was purely in the hands of the women therefore to raise the children with patriotic values, as their husbands were off fighting in the war (Document C).

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

• Had to stay home and take of their children/confined to their domestic spheres (Documents A & B )
• Women gained a vaster knowledge of the world by having more of a literature background (Document B).
• Must instill good Christian values into the children (Document D).

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

• Women before this time were never educated, now they had a right to be educated because it was up to them to properly educate their children (Document B & D). It was a step in the right direction for women's rights by giving them the control of domestic livelihood (Document B & C)

 

1.       Describe the setting.

• This picture is a portrait of Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons by Charles Willson Peale from 1789. She has a son in her lap, who is dressed up in a dress and has long hair, the style of that time period. The are seated upon a elegantly designed coral couch.  Both Mary and her son in blue have hints of smiles on their faces.

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

• The center of this portrait is Mrs. Tilghman because she is a republican mother, it is therefore her duty to be the center of her sons' world and to be a commanding figure. She is dressed fashionably but not overly-flaunting herself. Her republicanism is in her simplicity and yet elegance of her clothing.

3.      What values do her sons exhibit?

• Her sons reflect her values. They as well are dressed simply yet nicely. They are calm and not rambunctious. That they were able to sit still while this picture was painted shows their value for calmness and for obedience.

4.      Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm?

• The significance in the position of her arm is found in that it rets reassuringly on her wilder child restraining him from moving and showing him how he should act in this republican society. She is asserting her dominance with that restraining hand. The fact that  her hand isn't resting on her other son's shoulder shows that he has grown up and learned how to act, and that her young son is in the process of learning the new patriotic ideas.

 

 

 

Blog #4 - Revolution Article

1. The Civil War is remembered by its Generals, including Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, while the American Revolution is not, with the exception of George Washington, the people remembered include Franklin and John Adams.
2. The magnitude of suffering is downplayed by people because the Civil war had six times as many deaths so in comparison it seems like less suffering.
3. The soldiers were so short of food that they resorted to eating a soup made of boiled shoes and melted candles. And, if lucky, eat a dog.
4. Civilians also died during the American Revolution because of  Indian attacks or disease; it would spread from camps to nearby towns.
5. Because the Americans were so short on clothing, all their POWs were stripped of their clothing (even in January) that then went to soldiers in need of clothing.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

1. Democratic Principles:

• The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
• It is the right of the people to overthrow a government that does not protect their rights, and put in place a new one

2. List a handful of grievances:

• Passing and enforcing the Quartering Act of soldiers
• Prohibiting soldiers from being put on trail for the murder of colonists while staying in America
• Paying the judges himself instead of letting the colonists (taking the power that the colonists had over the judges by being able to withhold pay)
• Standing armies during peace
• Imposing taxes with the consent of the people
• Taking away charters
• Bringing in Hessian soldiers
• Burning down towns
• Taking away trial by jury

3. Conclusion:
The Declaration of Independence ends with how the colonists tried to reconcile with the King repeatedly, but the king refused (Olive Branch Petition). They have also warned the people against putting unwanted jurisdiction on the colonists.Finally, the colonists end with saying that they are free and independent states and have no allegiance to the British Crown; clearly stating that they now have the power to levy war, make peace agreements, govern their own economy, an do anything else that they want as free states.

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

•  John Peter Zenger was a German immigrant who printed The New York Weekly Journal. He worked with James Alexander (the editor) and William Smith on the newspaper.

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

•  The controversy over Zenger's trials was whether or not to consider the statements that Zenger made for the jury's decision. The royal chief justice thought that the jury should not consider the truthfulness/falseness of Zenger's publications, that the idea of Zenger printing regardless of the truth was enough to convict him. Hamilton argued that this decision defined the freedom that people may/may not receive to defy and expose a higher power, in this case the Governor Cosby. Jurors voted not guilty.

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

• The verdict of this trial greatly influenced American governmental tradition. Nowadays people can write whatever their hearts' desire in the paper without the fear of being tossed into jail. It is clearly defined in our rights in the First Amendment.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

• Zenger's trial has had an everlasting significance on lives. Besides the mentioned above, of the Freedom of Press; newspapers have helped during the American Revolution being a rallying force to British rule. The verdict helped establish that true statements about public officials that were full of criticisms were free to be published and no one could be prosecuted as libel, honest but unfair/ unwanted criticisms that may harm one's reputation.

 

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Signing of the Mayflower Compact

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

• The Mayflower Compact ( As seen being signed on the left), created in 1620  was signed before the Pilgrim leaders disembarked from the ship. In it, they agreed to form a government that submitted to the will of the majority. They also pledged loyalty to the King of England. They also agreed to form "just and equal Laws" for their colony. This document was signed by all forty-one male passengers aboard the ship. It set the precedent for later constitutions. 

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

• The attachment reflected to both the Old and New worlds is seen through the Mayflower Compact. It is clearly seen when the Pilgrims reference their loyalty to the King, saying, "the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James". This clear establishment of the colony's loyalty shows their attachment to the Old world. The agreement to form their own laws in and of itself shows their independent nature and how they quickly adopted/nurtured New world ideals into their society.

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

• The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was different in that it was far longer and more detailed in its set-up of a local government. The attention to detail is seen when the Orders set up ideals for tax (levies) collection and the creation of two General assemblies. While the Mayflower references its allegiance to the Mother Country and the King multiple times, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut does not make a single reference to either. The Orders were also created about 19 years after the Compact.

Connecticut Colony  

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

• Besides the fact that their were many settlements "popping up" around the Connecticut River (Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield) and the colony needed to maintain peace; another reason would be that they believed that "the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union" meaning that as people of God, it is their duty to create a government for the people. It is in essence because they wanted to have equal rights and liberties for their people.

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?

• To prevent the usurping of power, the Fundamental Orders has many safeguards emplaced. One of which is that no Governor can be Governor more than one in two years, to prevent a dictatorship. The eligible people are also allowed to vote, as to prevent an unwanted dictator from taking power. And finally, there will be six Magistrates selected alongside the Governor so as to prevent one person from having absolute power.  

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