LAD #21: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie started out by stating that the gap between the rich and the poor was continually growing. He noted that this was an issue, because it prevented the harmonious relationship between all men. The gap was changing society and civilization. The wealthy, however, were making beneficial advancements to society. Without wealth, there would be no advance in society and everything would be at a standstill. To go back to previous conditions would weaken and worsen society. Not everyone can be wealthy, though. But this puts the power into the hands of few, which can be hazardous to the country.  Carnegie says that it is not money that everyone needs, but intelligence, which he hopes everyone wants. Surplus wealth can be given to decendents, the government, or kept. Giving to a son, however, is a massive waste because it does nothing to help the state. If a man waits until he is dead to give his money to the public, its not of much use.  But, again, not everyone can be rich. So, this leaves responsibilities to the rich: to set a good example of modesty, provide for people that are dependant on them, and administer their wealth wisely.

LAD #20- Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was a document stated by Abraham Lincoln. It set all slaves free on January 1st, 1863. This included all of the slaves in all states, including the rebelling ones. The government, as well as the military, would do anything and everything in their power to ensure that all slaves are able to keep this newfound freedom. All slaves in Southern states were to be freed forever. These newly freed slaves were also able to serve in the Union army.

LAD #19:- Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln was elected a second time and he says to the people that his second address is not as important as his first one. He talks about his views on the civil war, which has already started by this time. Both sides wished to avoid war, but it was inevitable. It was necessary to preserve the union. Lincoln also talks about how he believes that the arguments over slavery arose becand were the direct cause of the Civil war. The two sides had opposite beliefs: The north wanted to abolish slavery and the south was pushing to spread slavery. Lincoln closed by saying that the Union army would have to continue to fight until the country was whole again and sectionalism failed to exist.

LAD #18- Dred Scott Decision

Scott vs. Sanford, or more widely known as the Dred Scott Decision, was a case to prove the innocence of runaway slave Dred Scott. Dred Scott ran away from Missouri to Illinois to obtain his freedom. The court case came about because he tried to purchase his freedom from his owner, and his owner refused. Scott then sued his owner. Justice Taney ruled that no African-Americans were to be considered United States citizens, regardless of whether they were free or slave. Because he was not considered a citizen, Scott could therefore no longer sue in court. The Missouri Compromise was also ruled illegal because it forbade the right of property (slaves) to slave owners and that was unconstitutional.

LAD #17- Ain't I A Woman Speech

Sojourner Truth made her speech at a Women's Convention in Ohio in 1851. She talks about how the white man says that women are delicate and need help with tasks such as getting into carriages and crossing mud puddles. She wonders aloud "Nobody ever helps me into carriages...ain't I a woman?" She had thirteen children, all sold to slavery to bear her pains. The word "Intellect" is raised and she talks about how she has very little rights compared to whites and women alike. She argues that women, like man, came from Christ and should therefore have just as many rights as man does. All women should band together, dor if they do, they would have the power to change the world for the better.

LAD #16- 5th of July Speech

Although his home was in Rochester, Frederick Douglass traveled all over the country, speaking out and spreading his beliefs. He was a great American abolitionist in his time. On July 5th in 1852, Douglass gave a speech and talked about the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. His main question was "What does the 4th of July really mean to a slave?" He was a constant victim of the cruelty and injustice towards the American slaves; Douglass believes all celebration is a complete waste of time. He clearly does not support America and claims that no other nation practices such harshness towards any form of people at that point in time.

LAD #15- The Gettysburg Address

Lincoln gives recognition to all of the men who died in creating the country as it was at that time. The country had been created "four score and seven years ago" which is 87 years ago. Disputes over slavery, tariffs, and the economy had caused the United States to become ensnared in a civil war with the North fighting against the South. Sectionalism was dramatically increased, and Lincoln said that the heroes who died in these wars would be remembered far more than his address would.

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Adress

Lincoln starts out his speech by telling the people that he does not wish to waste their time by talking about issues that nobody cares about; instead he says he will talk about things of excitement. The south was nervous because Lincoln was a Republican, but he said that they should not worry and that they had no reason to have apprehension. Lincoln had absolutely no plans to interfere with slavery in America. He considered it a crime to violate states rights, and claimed that he would never do so. He wanted to keep the country as a whole, united. Lincoln intended to keep the Fugitive Slave Act in place and multiple other laws that would protect Americans' rights. Lincoln stated that his larger main objective was to keep the country together as a Union. He believed that secession from the Union was unconstitutional. Secession was not written into the constitution, so Lincoln says that these events were unprecedented and he did not really know exactly what to do. The constitution also says nothing about either allowing or prohibiting slavery. Lincoln once again puts emphasis on preserving the union and keeping it whole. In order to keep the prosperity that America has worked ever so hard for, then a civil war must be avoided.

LAD#13- Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun knew that the civil war was looming ahead over the heads of the Americans. His speech starts out by talking about the issues that the union is having, and then goes on further to discuss his ideas for possible solutions and how to prevent the civil war from actually occurring. He talks about how these problems arise from the growing tensions between the North and the South because the South feels powerless compared to the North; the North has most of the federal power or at least the ability to change the outcome of some things. The South grew angry, and Calhoun was speaking for them when he offered the North a deal: If the North does not do exactly what the South wants, the South will secede and the North will not be able to do anything about it.

LAD#12- Polk's War Message

President Polk's War Message was a speech given to the United States in 1846 addressing the war with Mexico. Ath and before this time, the United States had attempted to create diplomatic and peaceful resolutions with the Mexicans. Polk explains how tensions between the United States and Mexico had grown increasingly and were now causing instability. Polk says the the USA only wanted to peacefully solve the Texan border disputes. Polk's longterm goal was the create peaceful relations between us and our Mexican neighbors. He sent Slidell down to try and negotiate peacefully, but the Mexicans would not recieve him and no negotiations were made. Mexico certainly put the United States in a difficult position by refusing to accept any of our peace agreements. Troops were kept in Texas, but congress would not see this dispute as a real war. Polk's War Message, overall, was a message to congress asking them to see this as a real war rather than just a dispute.

LAD #11- The Seneca Falls Convention

The Seneca Falls convention was the first convention of its kind; it was the first large convention to advocate for the rights and equality of women. It supported the expansion of women's rights and added to the feminist movement that was beginning to sweep the nation. The first portion of the document is the preamble to the United States Declaration of Independence, but it had been rewritten to write "Men and women" rather than just "men." This new document was known as the Declaration of Sentiments. It states women's anger at men because of their lack of power in government and their inability to vote and elect government officials. The declaration also states that men were basically stealing from women and not giving them the right to own property or earn fair wages. Men at this time had all power over all property. If a couple ever got divorced, the man would get all the money and the children; women believed that this was preventing then from ever being happy. Men were also given better jobs and church positions than women. The women at the convention proposed the declaration as a set of resolutions to solve these issues; the wanted equal rights and equal wages and equal liberty.

LAD #10: Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine was effective on December 2nd, 1823. The Doctrine was a message from the United States to the European powers in order to control their territory. None of the European countries were to try to imperialize American lands. Britain and Russia agreed, and they claimed that it was time for Europe to stop colonial ventures; their affairs from here on out should be domestic only. The USA said that any attempt at colonization would be considered a threat to America and that the American military would then take appropriate action.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Innaugural Address

In Jefferson's first Inaugural Address he recognizes that America is a country that is still growing. Jefferson looks forward to serving as President and thanks the people for their support. He says that if the country starts to fail him, he will look to the Constitution and wishes to continue with evergrowing prosperity. He strongly believed that the nation should stay whole and united through thick and thin, knowing that all problems that were overcome would only make the nation stronger. The country united was something sacred and should be kept and glorified. Political parties, stated Jefferson, would  not divide the principles and foundation that the United States was built upon. Jefferson spoke out against problems like slavery and lack of religious tolerance. He would try his hardest to avoid a war with Europe and stay neutral. He voiced his opinions on keeping good values and not letting the bad overpower them. Jefferson wraps up his address by saying that while in office, he will do his best to keep everybody's rights equal and just. He promotes agriculture and trade. Jefferson says that, to the best of his ability, he will do what is best for the nation.

Columbus Blog #8

Christopher Columbus receives a holiday in his honor in America. Columbus was known as the European Explorer who found North America, but others seem to tell a different story. Columbus originally set out to find a new water route to Asia and happened upon America instead. He was supported by Spain in his efforts to sail west to encounter the East Indies islands as well. Although Columbus's voyage to America was the first one that successfully linked America to Europe (the first people to really find America were the Norse, led by Leif Ericson), Columbus was very greedy and there is a whole side of him that people may not know or they choose to overlook; Christopher Columbus was definitely more of a villain than he was a hero.
 Columbus actually thought that America was India when he first arrived, and he incorrectly named the Native Americans "Indians." He waltzed into North America and claimed that the land belonged to Europe even though there were already Natives and Vikings living there. He caused a genocide of the Native Americans, killing hundreds. He forced slavery upon the Caribbean too. Multiple Americans have protested and said that Columbus day should not be a real holiday. One of the men on the Pinta was named Rodrigo de Triana, and he was rumored to have seen land first. He shouted to the other ships that there was land ahead, but Columbus knew that the first man to spot land would receive a hefty sum of money. Columbus lied and said that he had seen the land the night before, making him the first person to spot it and therefore eligible to obtain the money. Columbus was very deceitful and was later jailed for his crimes against humanity.

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington's "Farewell Address" was written for the people of the United States more than it was for himself. He served two terms, but even thought that that was too long. He worked for over 30 years for his country and he was ready for retirement after his second term ended, in which he would move to his house on the tope of Mount Vernon to spend time with his wife, Martha. He would have retired sooner, but felt obligated to his country. He was grateful towards the Unites States and happy that so far, the Constitution was a big success. Washington originally wrote the letter before his second term with the help of James Madison, but didn't end up using it until after his second term because he believed that there was greater troubles rising in the United States and because of this, people needed his help as a leader. Alexander Hamilton helped him revise his address after his second term was finished. Washington tells the people how wonderful the new government is and how it will continue to grow and flourish without him. He felt that his services as both a president and a leader were simply not needed anymore by the people because the nation had become a lot stronger. He also told the people that he never believed that he was truly qualified to be president, but his accomplishments were because of the support of the people. He believed that the states must remain peaceful and help each other. This was the only way for the United States to truly become successful. Similr to his famous Proclamation of Neutrality, Washington said that the United States had to stay neutral and not get into any wars and that the states should trade economically, not politically. This Farewell Address set multiple precedents for future presidents and addressed multiple issues of the time period.

Republican Motherhood

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?
Women were expected to work at home, and obly at home. If a woman were to leave her home to go out in public and be social, it was known that she was neglecting her duties as a housewife. This is clearly demonstrated, written "Our chief aim throughout these pages is to prove that her domestic duties had a paramount claim over everything else upon her attention" (Document A). Women's education was no longer just like men's education in the sense that women learned things such as manners, writing, English, and how to run a household (Document B).
2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?
Women were required to stay at home everyday and shape the family.  They learned new sets of values in order to make a household and family run smoothly and efficiently (Document B). Women wished to grow in society, but were confined to the household, forever trapped in their gender role (Document D).
3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?
Women were the forming factor of the typical American family. Women believed themselves to be very strong and did everything they could to earn respect and honor for their sex (Document C). Women had the power to change the world for the better, and they knew so. Although they had as much potential as men, they chose not to challenge their roles because if they did, they knew that turmoil would befall society (Document D).

1. Describe the setting.
Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons seem to be sitting on a luxurious couch, and their clothing looks to be quite expensive. They may have been in a portrait studio.
2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she "republican" rather than aritocratic?
Mary is the central focus of the painting because she is the woman of the family and appears to be holding the family together. She looks very serene and calm, as if her job as a mother came naturally to her. She looks very calm, as if she accepts her role as a woman and doesn't want a female uprising, which she would if she were an aristocrat.
3. What values do her sons exhibit?
Her sons exhibit almost barbarity, as we see the one on the left reaching or stuggling out of Mary's grasp and the one on the right shows off a dead bird. The one on the right is also brighter than the one on Mary's lap. Perhaps one of the sons represents order, and the other chaos.
4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm?
If the reader assumes that the son of the left represents disorder whilst the son on the right represents order, Mary's arm would be the dividing line between the two. Mary stands for all Republican women, and her arm in this position is significant because it implies that without women, life for the early Americans may have been offbalance, eventually ending in destruction.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

In Philadelphia, George Washington wrote his Proclamation of Neutrality. In this Proclamation, he speaks to the people of the United States about the many wars going on outside of the country. He warns the Americans that the wars, under no cicumstances, are not to be interfered with. The United States was to to choose or aid a particular side. If a citizen or group of citizens broke this neutrality and aided a country in battle, it was stated that the United States would not be held accountable. Those people who chose sides were also to be punished in some form.

LAD #5: The Federalist #10

1.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are so difficult to eliminate for a few reasons. The first reason in that if factions were eliminated, the liberty of the colonial citizens would be abolished as well. The second reason is that the colonials would be forced to conform and have the same thoughts, interests, and passions. Because liberty is the basis of political life and essential to the well being of the colonies and the governments, liberty cannot be taken away with factions. If everyone was forced to have the same thoughts and ideas, the United States would transform into a Communism rather than a democracy. It is impossible to request that men have the same thoughts because having original thoughts is inevitable and man has a liberty to exercise free thought.

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

The factions themselves cannot be removed, but the effects of those factions can be altered. Laws regulating factions were put into place. If a majority of a group vote for something, then that majority defeats the minority in the process. When the faction includes a majority of the population, it can be controlled as well. Another cure for the faction issues is a government in which there is representation and equal delegation of power. Each state is limited to a certain number of delegates so that no one state can overpower another. There must be a large enough group of delegates to get work done, but a small enough group to prevent arguments and be successful.

Blog #4 - Revolution Article

1.) George Washington edited his own biography and took out the embarrassing parts to make himself look better.

2.) Although there were multiple paintings created of the Civil War, none of them depict any dead soldiers or too much violence.

3.) A majority of the country thinks that the Revolutionary War wasn't very violent, when in reality, it was very bloody and not only did soldiers die, but innocent civilians did too.

4.) The weapons were better in the Civil War than in the Revolutionary War, but the soldiers in the Civil War fought closely, often times only standing about 20 feet away from each other.

5.) Tons of civilians died at the hands of the British, and five Connecticut towns were completely wiped out.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

1.) Democratic Principles
Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, included the three unalienable rights that we use today, which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Also included is the fact that the writers thought that the declaration should be written for the people as a whole, rather than for individuals. Everyone has these unalienable rights, and the consitution created a democracy for the colonies at this time.
2.) Grievances
King George III would only pass laws for the colonies if they were to benefit him as well. The king also dissolved all of the representative houses that didn't agree with him and his beliefs. When there was no fighting or violence, the king kept British troops in the colonies just to make sure they were always watched and that violence or outbreaks was not an option. Britain's policy of salutary neglect let the colonists think that they could do whatever they wanted, but then the British came in and enforced laws, expecting the colonists to follow them. The right to trial by jury was abolished as well.
3.) Summary
The Declaration of Independence was the time at which the colonies officially declared themself free from British rule. The colonies wrote about how they now could form alliances with whomever they wish, trade with anybody they wanted to, make their own laws, and that they were now their own country. The colonies became officially and politically free in 1783, 7 years after the Declaration was signed.

LAD #2 John Peter Zenger

1.) John Peter Zenger was a writer in the colonies. He began to publish his own newspaper, and he called it  the "Journal." It came out weekly, and it was a place for Zenger to write about things that he didn't agree with. In it, he wrote about his opposition to the policies of governor William Cosby.

2.) There was a great controversy over the articles written by Zenger. The governor was arguing that it was "seditious libel," meaning that the articles were enough to convict Zenger.. However, his lawyer Andrew Hamilton  claimed that it was only seditious libel if the information was false, and Zenger and his followers knew it to be true. The jury knew it to be true as well, and Zenger was found not guilty.

3.) John Peter Zenger's trial paved the way for the modern American trial and said that when arguing against libel, truth was always a determining factor. His articles were sometimes looked at as slanderous, but all were based upon true fact. He believed that if one told the truth, then he should be free.

4.) The trial of John Peter Zenger also has one major lasting effect on America: freedom of press. Although John Peter Zenger was not the first man to voice his opinions and grievances against an oppressor, he was the first man to fight for his beliefs and win. Andrew Hamilton wrote that even if a statement is offensive or slanderous, if it is the truth, a person has a right to write it because it can be proved in one way or another.

LAD #1 Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1.) The Mayflower Compact was created so that the Christian Faith would be carried on. It states that the people of Virginia must remain true to the rules of the religion with concepts such as preservation, virtue, submission, and obedience.
2.) The settlers still considered England, also known as the "Old" world, to be their true home country. They were still loyal to their king, but chose to voyage to the "New" world, or the Americas. They "honored" their king and Europe multiple times in the written document.
3.) The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were the basic political laws in the colony of Connecticut. They laid out rules such as how power was divided among people in their respective areas. The Fundamental Orders said that any elected official must be part of an approved Congregation of some sort, but did not talk a lot about religion. The Mayflower Compact, however, has little else to do with anything besides staying true to the Christian religion, unlike the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
4.) The people of Connecticut all wished to stay united under God, and wanted rules to be written so that they could form a "decent Government...according to God." They wanted these rules to be applicable to everyone residing in the colonies, not just white men, but women and children too. The rules had to be written down so that trials and confusion  could be avoided.
5.) In the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, there are written checks and balances and rules that prevent certain people from gaining too much power and from staying in power for too long. Every member of the General Assemblies had to be nominated and voted in to their position. The number of representatives from each town is limited to four, so that no town has an uneven balance of power.

Presidential Address!

I just finished watching Barack Obama's Presidential Address to Congress. I caught the back end of it, but I'm glad that I actually got to watch some of it. What I was able to get out of it was this: Right now, the Obama Administration isn't so popular, and they know it. Obama addressed credit issues in our country, and talked about how there's only a short 14 months left in his time at office, unless he is voted back into the White House at the 2012 election. Many families in our country are facing house foreclosure, and part of the reason of this is because of the credit issues and debt that has increased over the past few years. Obama talked about how when George Bush was up at the podium, he asked for money to help the banks out of their deep and rising debt to the country, and how Obama himself was infuriated at such a request. He understands now how Bush must have felt, and although he knows that it is the unpopular choice, Obama asked that same question to Congress. Obama, like Bush, wants to help the banks. Thinking ahead though, he also knows that there is not a whole lot that he can do in 14 months, but he said that he is going to try his hardest. Towards the end, he gave a great line that I believe can be very empowering, no matter who says it, or when: "We are stronger than the nation we live in."

first blog entry

Hello world. that is all.