LAD #21: Carnegie, The Gospel of Wealth

Summary:
It begins with saying that in the past few years the nation as a whole has changed because of industrialization when before that for years everything including clothing, food, environment and work place had remained the same for hundreds of years. Though some say this is for the worst the change should be welcomed by all because it is necessary for human development as well as the development of the country. This new way of thinking and living though has enviably put wealth into the hands of a few. There are only so many ways the wealth can be distributed. One is that it can be left to the families after the possessor dies. Another is that is used for public purposes and the final is that it is just used by the possessor himself. The first option is unattainable for women should not have to take on that responsibility. The second is only successful if he is dead and has things he would want it to go towards. The third option is the best because the possesser can put his money into other places and help the economy as he sees fit. Finally, it is the ultimate duty of the man with wealth. To set an example of a modest living and help his brethren do better for themselves.

LAD#20: Emancipation Proclamation

Summary:
He begins with saying that slaves in the states that rebelled are freed. This action can occur 100 days after this proclamation. He then names all of the states in which this proclamation does not affect, which is anyone who is a part of the Union. He orders that all persons who own slaves in the declared states free them so they can earn their own wages and live their own life. They can also be join any federal organization like the army and that he will invoke the military if needed in order to make this proclamation occur.

LAD#19: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

Summary:
He begins with saying that while this second election is still an honor it is not as big of an occasion as the first. He then says that he feels as though the public knows him by now and he hopes good things will come to the country in the future but nothing is guaranteed. Four years ago the country was afraid of going to war. Though everyone was afraid of war it came anyway. The power of God was with them in this deep time of distress and even though there was a lot of blood lost it would only be the judgements of God the mattered. He ends with that he does not hate anyone and he will do his best to achieve what is best for the nation during his second term.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

Summary:
The Supreme Court begins by saying that the court originally favored a moderate decision which ruled in favor of Sanford but realized that it did not discuss the larger black citizenship laws. When Nelson presented his opinion his majority was actually just his belief so this was disregarded and there were two antislavery justices there. By February the Americans were well-informed and the conclusion was close. But there was a difference of opinion. Two days later after Buchanan's inauguration the justices came into the court room with the head being Justice Taney. They said that only that of slaves but also free blacks were sold as slaves and could not become entitled to all the rights and privileges because they weren't citizens. In Taney's opinion was that even free blacks were not citizens and should not be treated as such. The Constitution made no distinction between slaves and other types of property so Taney reasoned that the Missouri Compromise was not correct. It deprived slave holding citizens of their property in slaves and that it was unconstitutional. Finally he said that the slaves who have run away needed to be returned to their owner just like any other piece of property thus ruling in favor of Sanford. 

LAD #17: Sojourner Truth's Ain't I a Woman Speech

Summary:
 She begins to say that there is so much racket about the freedom of blacks in the south and the women in the North but the men will soon have a problem on their hands so why are they just talking. She continues on to say that men say women need to be properly helped but no one ever helped her and she has worked just as hard as the men. She could eat and work as much as men and birth children but shouldn't she be treated like a woman because isn't she a woman? What is she going to do with women's rights or black rights? she needs it, because the white male holds so much more, shouldn't she have some rights? The men say that women can't have rights but she brings up the point that Christ wouldn't have been born without a woman's help. Finally she says that the first woman God made was strong but now they were saying that men would be better doing it.

LAD #16 : 5th of July Speech- Fredrick Douglass

Summary:
Douglass begins by asking why he was asked to be there and talk about what he was going to talk about because even though on the 4th of July the Declaration of Independence was announced that did not mean that the slaves were grant their freedom too. He goes on to say that if they were free then those questions would be answered, but they are not and that is why he is standing there speaking. The joy of the day is not really shared because the day belongs to the White Man not the slave and that makes him sad. Instead they are carried away as captives and mournful wails instead of crys of joy. He sees the day from a slaves point of view and that slavery is a great shame in America and he uses the most severe language to describe it. But they do still contribute to society in many ways just as equally as the white man and live with a family, still in God's eye and still need to show that they can be men. He continues to say that it is wrong for men to abuse other men. Finally he answered what the 4th of July means to slaves saying that it reveals the gross injustice more than the celebration or any other day. He concludes by saying that it is not a nation of savages but rather a nation that practices things which are shocking. So where ever anyone may go put the facts first and stand up for what you believe in.

LAD #15: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Summary:
He begins by saying that the founding father's brought the country together and created a new nation where all men should be equal. But now they were in a civil war which was not what any nation wants to go through. We could not hallow the ground they stand upon. There were brave men that struggled and fought for what they believed in. So the living should be dedicated here to the unfinished work of those who have fought and they should honor the dead. The only way to do this was to gather together and raise as a nation, as one united nation. He finishes by saying that the dead shall not die for nothing and the country should be related under God for a new birth and that not one more person should perish from the earth because of this argument. 

LAD: #14: Lincoln's First Innagural Address

Summary:
 He begins his address by stating that he is somewhat apprehensive because he is coming in at a tension filled time in history. He says he has no reason to interfere with the institution of slavery and he does not want to. Those who elected him know and share his feelings on this topic. He goes on to say that it is essential to balance power and protect the rights held up by the Constitution. He does endorse the retrieval of slaves if they runaway to their rightful owner. He takes the oath with no mental reservations and no reason to change the Constitutions to help him in any way nor to be hypocritical. He takes a step back saying that it has been 72 years ago that Washington was sworn in  and he holds that the Constitution of of Union is implied, expressed and he will continue to execute it. If the destruction of the Union it will end in ruins because no one state alone can run itself but rather they need to be united. Therefore it is his responsibility to keep it together and to do it there needs to be no violence but the hostility may make it a bad place to live. Before that happens he is going to try and keep the Union together and from the questions of the citizens we will divide between the minority and the majorities. But he does say that he does not forget that he entered based on a political party and he needed to take everything into consideration. He goes on to say that the nation cannot physically separate but they can become alien nations that will not work. But the government belongs to the people and they should be able to change it. Finally he says that the frame of the government under which all of us live should unite us, not divide us. He did not want to end but he ends with saying we need to be friends and not enemies. 

LAD #13: Calhoun's speech

Summary:
He begins with saying that he has people who got agitated by the subject of slavery and that it would end in disunion. It would cause the Union to be in danger of dissembling. He asks the question what has endangered the Union and the answer has to do with the discontent that the Southern States have. This discontent is not new however certain actions and politicians have increased this discontent. He also says that the party ties contribute to these dividing lines. He also states that the government does not  help with the divisions but rather hurts them and creates a deeper division between many different statuses. This results in the North dominating which is not a good factor. He discusses everything but the territory that becomes Texas. He continues to say that the North has developed all the power and it has only increased in the past 50 years. The senators do not help at all and they need fix this disunited nation. Finally he concludes saying he has expressed his feelings and now all he can do is hope.

LAD# 12: Polk's War Message 1846

Summary:
The message started out with the fact that there was differences between Mexico and the United States which needed to be mended and if Mexico would be willing to alter their boundaries and other things the relationship between the two countries. He goes on to say that they approached Mexico in a friendly fashion to discuss the boundary of Mexico and Texas and this continued on to a conversation of rights of the citizens and the people. The people of Mexico refused to offer of a peaceful adjustment. The United States government addressed the Mexican minister of foreign relations and asked that the government be diplomatic.Finally the force was focused on Corpus Christi and stayed there for a while. Texas final action of our Congress had become a part of the Union. It concludes with the fact that though war exists the United States tried their best to avoid all confrontation with Mexico.

LAD # 11: Seneca Falls Declaration

Summary:
 In 1848 during the Seneca Falls Convention for women's rights they wrote the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. They begin with stating the beginning of the Constitution but instead of just " we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal" they included the word women as wells as men. They continue to say that there has been a patient sufferance of women under the government and they are entitled to equal rights. It continues on to say that during the history of mankind woman have not been treated equally. They state the ways men have done this, like he has not permitted her exercise the right to elective franchises. Also, he has made her follow the laws which she had no voice in making and the man has withheld rights which she has a citizen. He has taken her property rights and the wage she earns and makes her morally irresponsible because she commit crimes as long as he watches her. He has taxed the single woman's properties,and monopolized all profitable employments but has denied her facilities to educate herself. These among other things has disfranchisement a half of the people in the country but there is a way to fix it and to give women their rights. By resolving all laws which prevent woman from being equally to that of a man are contrary from what should be. Woman is man's equal and was intended to be so and should be recognized as such. The refinement of behavior that is required of woman in the social sate should also be required of man. They should be educated and have a say in government. There also needs to be equal participation in trades and professions. It ends saying that women's rights should not be withheld and this would end a self-evident falsehood and a war with mankind.

LAD# 10: Monroe Doctrine

Summary:

The Monroe Doctrine starts out with a statement about a proposal of the Russian Imperial Government. There was a proposal between England and the United States in order to keep the rights and interests of the nations okay. It states that the United States has been friends with the Emperor and tried to understand his government. But they also have to protect the rights and interests of the United States and their continents in which they state there may not be any further colonization of any European powers. It goes on to say in the last session they tried to make Spain and Portugal improve their conditions but it was more difficult than anticipated. The citizens of American appreciated their liberty and it does not interfere with foreign policy to do so. With the difference between governments it is difficult to maintain that freedom. There has been too much war for independence and those nations who are independent  need to remain so without European interference. When there is war between the governments the United States should declare neutrality and make no judgements. It goes on to say that the late event of Spain and Portugal show that Europe is not stronger and the new policy is to regard Europe as a friendly foreign relations. It finishes by saying that the allied powers will not always get along but it is in the best hopes that the United States will leave parties alone and hope the rest of the world does the same.

LAD #9: First Inaugural Address

Summary:

The way in which Thomas Jefferson begins his first Inaugural Address is particularly interesting. For the first couple of paragraphs he explains how scared he is to take on the title of President. He goes on to describe the relatively new, beautiful nation which he would be presiding over and reveals how humbled his new role makes him feel. Finally he states that he would be too overwhelmed if it were not for the Constitution which he will look to and the two other bodies of government which he will look to for support. After this introduction Jefferson goes on to remind the people what the country was founded on, encouraging them to use their freedoms and to maintain their freedoms. He wants to ensure that everyone who wants to gives their opinion, because that is the best type of government. If the people do this, he says, the Union will be united as a nation. He continues on to say that the government will make sure men do not hurt each other or go against the Constitution but will not take the freedoms and rights of the people away. He then states his views on the basis of government and how those thoughts have brought the nation through everything it has been through. Finally, he asks for the people's confidence, admitting he will not be perfect but promising to try his best.

LAD #8: Columbus Blog #8

Was Christopher Columbus a hero or villian?

Personally I would have to say that Columbus was more of a villian than a hero. Though he did find the some of the Middle Americas, the West Indies, which was an incredible discovery, but he did too many monstrous things to be qualified as a hero. First of all, he did not find North America, just the West Indies. When he landed and met the natives he originally said they would work together and help each other. When he left the first time the natives felt as though they had just met a god and that they would finally have a positive relationship. But when Columbus returned he slaughtered the natives. For that reason I just cannot say that Columbus was a hero. He was too heartess and slaughtered too many people that he is easily considered a villian and not a hero.

LAD # 7: Washington's Farewell Address

Summarized:

Washington issued many warnings and words of wisdom on how to keep America how the founding fathers wanted it during his farewell address when he left office. First of all he talks about how the federal government was put in place for a reason and it should be kept in power. He discusses how the government, which the people are responsible for, needs to be a solid foundation because that will help all the other aspects of national and international life. Then he goes on to a warning about government. He warns that political parties should not form; if they did form then it would divide the nation and put brothers and against each other. This is exactly what happened once political parties were created. The opposition of brothers in one nation could tear the nation apart. Then Washington stresses the importance of religion and morality. He says without these two things there is no security or reputation for living. He goes on to talk about how to cherish public credit and warned against permanent foreign alliances. He encouraged neutrality because Washington was afraid of what a permanent alliance would mean for the country in the long run. Finally Washington advises to avoid needing a large army. This is because it may form a hostile environment. Overall the warnings and advertisements were either heard and seized or went unheard and the nation suffered the consequences.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality 1793

Summarized:

America was a brand new nation during 1793 after just completing a war with Britain. Though America was in a fragile, but good standing Europe was in war all over the continent. The first and great president George Washington observed these and then made this statement of neutrality. In his statement he explained that there were wars in Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, Netherlands and France. He advised anyone who had any relationship to the United States to stay out of any of the conflict. He disclaimed anyone who helped or did anything having to do with any of those wars. He goes on to say that officers may even be able to prosecute anyone who does not remain neutral. This was all in attempts to keep America stable.

LAD #5: Federalist #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are very difficult to eliminate because according to the Federalist Papers #10 if you get rid of factions then you have the chance of eliminating liberty. America was founded on the belief of liberty, without it America would be extremely different. Liberty is essential to political life. So even though sometimes factions are destructive to society without them we would losing something with much greater purpose.

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

Everyone has the right to think individually and seemingly factions can be controlled as long as his opinions and the rest of his life balance each other out. The government needs to control by dividing different subjects into different spheres of government. One man cannot regulate himself either because it would obviously be a biased answer. So in order to prevent this the government had set up legislation bodies to make sure that if we keep factions, everything is fair and there is as little bias as possible.

LAD # 4: Rethinking the Revolution

When comparing the Civil War to the Revolutionary War I learned a few things about the Revolutionary War.

1. History is skewed and not completely true depending on who tells it and how they want it to be told. After the Revolution in the early 1800s some Bostonians tried to not play up the role of the working class people of Boston and their participation in great revolts and protests, like those because of the Stamp Act.

2. When the article was written in 2007 the Revolutionary War was recognized as America's longest war, lasting longer than 8 years. There were also massive numbers of casualties. The most accurate numbers were estimated to have lost 30,000 in a population of 2.5 million. This may not seem like a lot, but compared to the growing populations during later wars, the Revolutionary War was even more deadly than the Civil War; compare 1:4 dying in the Revolution to 1:5 dying in the Civil war.

3. If one thinks about it, comparing it to any other war, especially the civil war, it is difficult to think of a revolutionary solider. You have Washington, Arnold and Jones. Compare that to Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Grant, and Sherman. Many people can name people who had a great deal to do with the revolution, but were never military; Jefferson, Adams, Henry and Hancock to name a few. But the real soldiers names were kind of lost in history and not as well remembered.

4. History is also shaped by art, such as the inaccurate paintings of the revolution. None show any true battles, though the theme of each is war. Each painting makes the revolution seemingly glamorous. The artists leave out the dead bodies littering the field and the manual labor of shooting a time period gun among others Comparing these paintings to the pictures of the Civil War, it makes the Revolutionary War seem relatively small and calm.

5. Historians accounts do not help bring the true goriness of the war to light. This is because they focus on the two large meetings for the decision of independence and the Constitutional Convention which occurs after the war is over. By skipping some of the battles and not talking in as much detail it makes it seem like the war itself may have been more trivial than it actually was.

LAD #3 : Declaration of Independence

1. Democratic Principles
  In the introduction, the colonists and writers of the Declaration of Independence spoke about how they needed to stray from the mother country. They say that they have the right to form a  new nation just as much as any other nation or colony. The primary reason they are deciding to stray is because of the way the king was treating the colonies. Not only was he instilling laws and taxes without consulting or have representation from the colonies but he ignored the attempts at a treaty. They state how the government was formed to protect the people, not take away certain rights which all people have. But the British government had failed to look after what the colony wanted and so together, the colonies formed a list of grievances towards Britain as an explanation as to why they wanted their independence.

2. Grievances
 There were many reasons that the colonies wanted to separate from Britain. Most all of these had to do with the way the British were treating the colonies and in what ways they were being taken advantage of. Many of the grievances spoke about how the king was controlling most parts of government in the colonies though he was across the ocean and unaware of the the colonists wanted in government. He also would not let them pass laws on their own and sent in the British army to occupy the colonies when there was no war. The colonists eventually saw this as against their rights and began to think that they had the right to rule themselves for they were far more in tune with what the people wanted and what they needed.

3. Conclusion
The colonists expressed their attempts of negotiations. They stated that whenever they tried to negotiate they were wronged by the king more than they had previously been. So they finally declared themselves politically free from any ties with England. They were fully aware of the consequences and the idea of England and an enemy at least for that time period. But they also hoped that God saw that they were doing what was right in their minds. With the political freedom they had the rights to do whatever other political monarchies could do including declaring war, initiating peace, make alliances and trade with foreign nations.

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was a new yorker who moved from Germany in the early 1700s. He became an apprentice to the impressive William Bradford who was a printer for The New York Gazette. While working for Bradford, the Governer William Cosby accused the interm governer of a controversy which caused Zenger to print a paper in opposition of the new polocies Cosby put in place. When Cosby started to go after the giants in the papers, they formed a opposition paper and hired Zenger as printer and editor. Though the papers were printed for a while, Cosby eventually arrested Zenger.


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

Zenger was charged with seditious libel, but Hamilton saw that this was not a valid charge. There was controversy over whether or not the allegations were valid. Hamilton argued that the allegations were not valid unless what Zenger wrote was false. By proving everything Zenger wrote was true and using the law to reason with the jury, they decided to deem Zenger not guilty.

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

When the jury voted not guilty regarding Zenger's trials it set a standard for future governmental tradition. It not only established that truth could be used as a defense mechanism when arguing libelity, but it also prevented juries and judges of the future from dtermining verdicts in an unfair manner. Hamilton also helped set a precedent of freedom of the press, even when it had not been officially written down.


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

His trail greatly impacted the freedom of what the press was allowed to say, write and publish. Before the trail there were no real precedents set nor laws created about what newspapers could print. There was also the realization the you cannot say that just because it was published meant that it could be enough to convict anyone of any charge. 

LAD #1: " Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut"

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact conveyed a few concepts which were important to the signers of the compact. The opening sentence as well as the repetitive mentions to God and His glory made it clear that religion and a relationship to God were important to the orginal signers. They also showed great respect and love to the King of England when they wrote "...Loyal Subjects..." in the begininng and then refered to maintaining the King's honor and his supremacy. In addition, and possibly most importantly, the Mayflower Compact is an agreement to form a colony with equal laws in attempts to form the world's first recorded democratic government.


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

 When the Compact mentions the sovereignty of their king, the King of England, as well as the deep love for God and loyalty to Him, the document was connecting to the Old World. But in the same document, the people intend to establish the first recorded democratic colony, a colony which would be located in the new North America. This is a newly formed attachment to the New World.


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

Some differences between the Fundamental Orders and the Compact include the fact the the Mayflower Compact mentioned the King as sovereign and the Fundemental Orders focused more on the colony as a whole. Also, the Fundamental Orders had a list of 11 laws stating how the colony was going to be run, sometimes being considered as the first constitution. The Mayflower Compact does not list any laws but rather is stating the establishment of a colony. Finally, the Compact never says anything about voting for laws or people in off ic while the Orders clearly stated much of what is decided is voted upon by those who are eligible.


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

Even though England itself had an assumed consitiution, but nothing in writing, some settlers did not trust that they would be heard without something in writing. These fears stemmed from the recent actions of England in the colony which were authortarian in intent. This compelled a few men to write out their rights and form of a Constitution for Connecticut.


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

The Orders worked to safe gaurd against the power of one person or a chosen few by making sure there are elections instead of a sucession of or to power. They also showed fear by then increasing the restrictions in the later part of the document stating that the person in the position of Secretary cannot nominate any person and no one who has already been in power can run again for another 2 years. Finally, there were two asemblies formed to balence the power and each town sends a represenitive so their voices are heard. 

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