Presidents LAD/BLog #8: Washington's Farewell Address

Summary:
When Washington retired from office, he made it very clear that he was doing it for the good of the country and that he thought it was time for a new leader to stand up and take his place.  He explained how he always felt supported by the people, and how he hoped that he would still have that even when he left office.  Washington believed that he changed America's government for the better, by making it stronger and organizing its administration.  He proved himself true to his country, and wanted to ensure that he was leaving it in good hands.  One of his biggest points in this address is to remain true to the Constitution and the foundations of government that America built.  Also, Washington stressed the importance of good moral character for the survival of the country.  At the same time, he talked about how the presence of evil is completely natural, but still has to be faced and overcome.  Additionally, the former President mentioned how he believed in being involved politically with outside influences (countries) as little as possible to avoid conflict, but also in maintaining their already made contracts and such to show good faith.  The address, as a whole, is very straightforward, wise, and patriotic.

Warnings:

1.  Washington warned the country to let unity and experience solve its problems.  He knew that being united in the past helped the country to survive, so he thought it best to warn the people to learn from their past and move forward with intelligence.  Washington passed on his wisdom of knowing that his country had a greater chance of survival and growth as long as it stayed united.

2.  Further, Washington warned his country to stay true to the government that he and the other founding fathers worked hard to build and establish.  He reminded everyone that this was the form of government they had decided on, and that he was convinced the government was without flaws.  Therefore, he wanted everyone (especially those involved in politics) to be sensible and remember that the government's power came from the people, not just a single leader.

3. Finally, Washington warned the people to "cherish public credit."  He knew that the country could potentially be doomed if a heavy sum of debt was somehow acquired.  Washington warned his country to preserve public credit by using it as little as possible, for this would ensure that debt was avoided (if debt was acquired, it would lead them down the same road to taxes and rebellions that the country previously faced with Britain).

Harry Truman's farewell to the Oval Office was quite similar to Washington's farewell address.  Both Presidents shared valuable information with America, by reflecting on choices they made during their term, and also by predicting what was to come and how the country should handle it.  For example, Truman talked about his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, while Washington talked about how he worked very hard to build the democracy that still stands in American today.

LAD/Blog #7: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Washington's proclamation of neutrality states that if the United States is ever involved in a war against multiple world powers, the country will not favor one side more so than the others, and will act justly.  Further, it states that the United States should agree to remain neutral as a country, and be involved in dangerous world matters as little as possible.  Washington warns the people not to act out of good character, for it could upset the balance of power between the countries.  It also states that citizens of the United States should be willing to take blame and responsibility for their actions if they ever commit unjust actions against any other world power.  Anyone that acts out alone hostilely against another country should not rely on having the protection of the United States, for they have betrayed the country by going against what the people as a whole agree on.  Washington's main message here is to make everyone aware of the potential consequences,

During the 1930s (around the time of the Great Depression and World War I), the United States decided to follow a policy of isolationism.  This policy ensured that the US government would not be involved in the ongoing conflicts between the rest of the world.  This is similar to Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, because they both existed for the purpose of keeping the US out of world affairs.

LAD/Blog #6: Federalist Paper #10

Federalist Paper #10

1.  What is a faction?
 A faction is a group of people with the same interest, often protesting against the government or standing up for their freedoms.  These political factions may be radical and small or even the majority of people.  Factions are fueled by a desire for different liberties. 

2.  Are factions good or bad?
 Factions are typically bad, because when these people with a common goal and interest unite together, their strength in numbers may lead them to commit bad crimes or fight strongly for what they personally believe in.

3.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Factions are so difficult to eliminate because they can only be dealt with by removing the causes of the faction, or by controlling its effects.  As a whole though, an entire faction is very hard to remove because all people will never think exactly the same way.  Differences in opinions will always exist, and therefore will always create more factions against the law or other beliefs (such as religion).

4.  If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
Factions can be controlled by ensuring that every person is treated the same way, and given the same rights and freedoms.  A second way of controlling a faction is by getting rid of the liberty or freedom that fuels the faction's existence.  Further, factions can be controlled even more by creating a republican form of government, and making the republic large would help to prevent the republic itself from turning into a faction.

The Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers are similar because they both promote certain political ideals, and impacted many even through they were only written by few.  The Federalist Papers were written to promote the ratification of the new constitution, and were used as a tool to persuade the public to support the new constitution.  Likewise, the Declaration of Independence was written to promote independence among the colonies, and to get them all on the same page so that they would be ready to fight against Britain.

Blog #5: Republican Motherhood

1.  What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?
The Revolutionary War made it so that women became more accomplished and confident in their role in society, with the majority of men out on the battle fronts.  Women became the glue that held the colonies together while the war was going on, and therefore were more supported than ever before (Document C).  With less and less men involved in politics and society, it was up to women to step up into that abandoned role (Document D).

2.  What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?
One consequence of Republican Motherhood on women was that they were once again put into a sort of "appropriate and appointed sphere," which designated their place and role in society.  Granted, their role changed for the better, but they women were still being told what they could and could not do (Document A).

3.  What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?
Women were given more of a political role in society, which held them up to a higher standard; because of this, women were becoming more significant and respected in societies (Document A).  Also, women were given more equal rights to men.  For example, it became required for women to have a certain level of education, including reading, writing, and a basic understanding of mathematics and geography (Document B).  Additionally, more and more people were coming to the realization that women were not solely useful around the household.  Women were becoming more accepted in society and in politics, and even were looked to as the future of the nation.

Mary Gibson Tilghman and Her Sons, by Charles Willson Peale (1789)

1.  Describe the setting.
A woman is sitting on a couch and looking directly at the viewer, with two of her children.  One child is on her lap, looking away from the viewer, while the other child is at her side and looking straight at the viewer.  All three appear to be smiling.

2.  Who serves at the center of the portrait and why?  How does the woman look?  How is she "republican" instead of aristocratic?
The woman is at the center of the portrait because she is the focal point of the piece of art.  She is wearing a delicate looking, simple shirt.  The majority of her hair is pulled back from her face, but not in a fancy updo.  The woman is more "republican" than aristocratic because her outfit is fairly plan and simple, instead of elegant and extravagant.  

3.  What values do her sons' exhibit?
Her sons exhibit values of obedience and intelligence.  Both are sitting calmly and straightly, and are dressed fairly moderately.  They seem to be very well behaved and, like their mother, have a respectful and reserved factor to them.

4.  Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm?
 Mrs. Tilghman's arm is placed in front of the child on her lap, keeping him from squirming or sliding off her lap.  Her arm is loose around the boy, keeping him in place but not hurting him.  The significance of this is that it represents how women were stepping up to be more of a civil role model for their children.

Women's suffrage movements were similar to the Republican Motherhood in that they both dealt with women gaining new freedoms and respect. With the Republican Motherhood, women were given more educational rights and a higher position in society while their husbands were off fighting in the Revolutionary War.  Likewise, women's suffrage movements and protests ultimately led to the 19th amendment (1920), which gave women the right to vote.  Since men already had the right to vote by that time, this new right gave women more equality and a higher status in society.

Blog #4: Rethinking the Revolution

The Revolutionary War

Five Things I Learned:

1.  The Revolutionary War was the longest American declared war in history.  Lasting for more than eight years, the war resulted in immense numbers of casualties on both sides, making the war very important and memorable (even though the Americans won). 


2.  The War of Independence is often downgraded or not seen as important as it was, due to some historians.  They tend to not talk as much about the war, not on purpose, but simply because it was between two other major points in history: the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention (1787).  These two other events in history are probably the most written about events in American history, making the War of Independence seem less significant.


3.  Later, it was reported by Washington that during the winter of 1780, his men were so starving that they resorted to eating horse food, tree bark, and even tried to cook and eat their own shoes.  In addition, lots of the men were naked as well as starving, because of the low supplies level during the winter. 


4.  Even though they did not personally fight in the war, civilians also suffered during the War of Independence.  Diseases were widely spread by both troops and took a significant amount of the population.  Also, many of the colonists were captured or their homes were destroyed during British raids and attacks. 

5.  The Revolutionary War actually included a civil war within another civil war.  The Americans were fighting against the British, and at the same time, the American Whigs and Tories were fighting against each other.  Both civil wars ended up turning a lot of the civilians and colonists against each other, even though they were fighting on the same side against the British.

The Civil War was quite similar to the Revolutionary War.  For example, both wars were fought with the cause of wanting unity.  In the Revolutionary War, the colonies wanted to unite together and become a separate nation from Britain.  In the Civil War, the major goal of the war was for American to unite once again as one country, instead of two halves with different flags or beliefs.  Both wars were fought in the name of unity, making them more alike (besides the fact that American was involved in both wars).

LAD/Blog #3: Declaration of Independence

1. List the democratic principles discussed in the opening.

• all men are created equal
• unalienable rights include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• the government draws its power from the people
• people have the right to change a government that does not support them, in order to maintain their peace, safety, and happiness

2. List 5 grievances the colonists were making the King aware of.  

• the King made decisions based only on his own opinions and the economy of Britain
• the King denied them the benefits of a trial by jury 
• the King wouldn't let them trade with any other country in the world
• the King quartered large numbers of troops in the colonies, without their consent
• the King relentlessly taxed the colonies

3. Summarize what the final paragraph is saying.
In the final paragraph, the colonists are pleading their case for a new nation by saying that they have good intentions and deserve independence.  They strongly believe that they ought to be free and independent states with the right to govern themselves.  In this paragraph, they directly say how they are good and just people who have done nothing wrong except wish for freedom, and how they deserve to be completely split (especially politically) from Great Britain.  The colonists also include how they desire the rights that every other independent nation of that time period had (starting and ending wars, establishing alliances and commerce, etc.).  This paragraph further explains how all of the colonists agree to unite together and live by this declaration. 

The Declaration of Sentiments (1848) was very similar to the Declaration of Independence (1776), and not just because both of the names start the same way.  Both were lists of grievances made against people who they believed had wronged them.  The colonists made their list of grievances about the King, while the women at the convention at Seneca Falls, New York, made their list about men, and how for numerous years they had denied women basic human rights.  Further, the Declaration of Sentiments, written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was actually modeled by the Declaration of Independence

LAD/Blog 2: Zenger Trial

1. Who was Peter Zenger?
Peter Zenger was an immigrant who came from Germany, seeking a new life.  He ended up creating a publication called "The New York Weekly Journal."  In the publication, William Cosby, a governor, was criticized.  The government was accused of injustice in elections and favoritism towards the French by letting them into New York harbor.  Cosby, specifically, was accused of multiple crimes and was called numerous names.  Zenger only published the articles but would not give away any of the authors' names.

2. What was the controversy over his charges?
During the year 1733, Zenger was brought into jail for the crime labeled "libel."  Back then, the crime committed by him was publishing opposition to the government.  The judge felt that since Zenger never declared that he did not publish the articles, that he was automatically guilty.  One of the reasons that there was controversy over the charges was due to the first jury being biased towards Cosby.  People, including Andrew Hamilton (Zenger's lawyer), were upset because Zenger was being persecuted for something they felt was within their rights of equality and liberty.


3. What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions?
Zenger's case opened eyes to how freedom of speech was something that lots of people wanted to see in the government.  This was another piece of liberty fitting into the puzzle of making the American government form democracy work for the people.  As far as governmental traditions go, down the road, "freedom of the press" was added as the first amendment.  Publishers and writers became more relaxed when it came to expressing their own views and opinions within and also outside of the government.


4. What is the lasting significance of his trial?
Zenger's trial was very significant due to multiple things.  For one thing, Zenger and Hamilton were seen as heroes to many, because they were able to stand against the government (specifically Cosby) and highlight how the government was limiting the rights and freedoms of the people, and why they thought that should change.  Further, this step towards more freedom became majorly important during the Revolution by allowing people to share their opinions on the war.  Lastly, just in general, it gave people the confidence they needed, not just in the American Revolution, to speak up about things they thought needed fixing in the government and society.

The Salem Witch Trials are related to the Zenger Trial because of how much controversy both trials caused, and due to the reasons behind the trials.  Both caused much controversy due to to ideals of freedom and rights conflicting with the government or men.  The Zenger Trial was held because the government refused to have any opposition against it.  It was an opinion that opposition during that time period should not be allowed.  Similarly, the Salem Witch Trials were held because the men believed that the women were the reason for all of their problems.  Using women as their "escape goat,"the men refused to see any other point of view and just automatically assumed that they were right.

LAD/Blog 1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
There were several concepts included in the Mayflower Compact.  For example, it included the first appearance of the idea of self-government in America.  Effective for about 71 years, the Mayflower Compact was created by the Pilgrims as a promise to themselves to set up a new form of government.  Principles of liberty and tolerance were very important parts of the new self-government, because the Pilgrims left their home countries as a result of a lack of these characteristics in those governments.


2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact reflects the "Old" world through its remaining loyalty to the King of England.  Plus, the deep love and respect for God was very much the same as in England, as it was still important to the Pilgrims.  Not much else reflected the "Old" world, since the whole point of the Mayflower Compact was to create a new, different type of government.  It reflects the "New" world by including parts of equality mutuality between the Pilgrims in the sight of God.  The "New" world was a bit ahead in the world when it came to equality and rights.  Lastly, the Mayflower Compact was more similar to the "New" world in the way that it expressed the desire for equal laws, a sign of a new democratic form of government (which could not be found in the "Old" world).


3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
For starters, the Fundamental Order of Connecticut was more specific and organized than Mayflower Compact.  With the Mayflower Compact, people were still getting used to the ideals of democracy and were creating it as they went, figuring out rules and such.  The Fundamental Orders were more planned out, with courts, meetings, elections, representatives, official titles, etc.  Being more specific, the Fundamental Orders were also more strict and black and white, even though they similarly weaved more freedoms into the rules.


4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, ie.: use of a written constitution?
The colonists of Connecticut wanted to form a government with a written constitution because they wanted written rules that everyone could agree to and look back on.  Additionally, they wanted an orderly government according to God, with laws, rules, orders, decrees, etc.  Colonists felt that a written constitution would help to keep the government organized, with clear laws and agreements.


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 of Connecticut reflect the fear of usurping of power through the different orders within the document.  For example, they included elections in the decision making of who holds power in the government, and all of the orders themselves were voted on as well  This ensures that the people elected will be popular with the colonists, giving them less of a reason to want to overthrow the government.  Another way can be seen at the beginning of each order.  Most of them start with "It is Ordered, sentenced, and decreed."  The use of these three words repeatedly highlights how the government is trying to be as strict and clear as possible without causing any anger, in order to limit controversy over the law.  Finally, the word "equal" can be seen throughout the document, proving that the government was carefully to put together laws that were equal and just, again to avoid conflict.

The Bill of Rights of 1791 (another US event) was an important point in American history, and relates to these other two documents.  All three of these documents are similar because of their carefully throughout rules that change the government.  The faces behind these documents worked hard to craft the laws, freedoms, and limitations that would work best for the government and the people.

helloooooo💟😊🍦✨🎤❗