LAD/Blog #11: Monroe Doctrine

Overall Message:
In his doctrine, President Madison wanted to be sure that the United States' foreign policy was spelled out clearly for all of the European powers, as to ensure that there would be no surprises in the near future.  He explicitly stated that America's rights when dealing with other countries must be protected, and therefore, his country will never even be considered as a potential colony for any other country in the future.  However, Monroe also explained how the US still had high hopes for other countries, such as Spain and Portugal, and their own personal success.  Any country that was completely independent, with no colonies or dependencies, were seen as okay to interact with.  Basically, this was the US' way of putting themselves first and making sure that the country was stable and flourishing before even starting to think about making allies or coming to the aid of other countries. 

Conditions:
Monroe believed in was in America's best interest to never interfere in future wars between European powers.  The country should only interfere or prepare for defense if Americans' own rights were denied.  Additionally, to ensure all neutrality, Monroe stated that the US would not interfere with colonies of European powers either, as that also would just stir up more trouble.  The main idea here was that America should, and would, remain neutral as it was best for the country and several other countries.  That being said, the policy further stated how European powers were to be held at blame, too, if something happened that jeopardized America's happiness and stability, such as a war.  It wasn't just all on America's shoulders to remain neutral.  

Washington's original Proclamation of Neutrality in 1973 is very similar to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823.  Both of these important documents were scripted under the main idea of neutrality.  Washington, as the first President of the United States, first introduced the idea of neutrality, in order to keep the US safe after their gaining of independence after the Revolutionary War.  However, after several events in history, such as the War of 1812, President Monroe saw it necessary to once again lay out the rules and guidelines of neutrality as the previous proclamation was not enough to keep the US from interacting with other countries.  Thus, the Monroe Doctrine was born, in order to preserve and ensure the nation's neutrality, just like it had been for the first time in Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality. 

LAD/Blog #10: Jefferson's First Inaugural

First and foremost, Jefferson elaborated on how he planned on leading with the people instead of leading the people.  He knew that he could not achieve all of the greatness he had hoped just by acting himself.  Jefferson told the people that he would look to them for "encouragement" and "guidance" during his term as president.  Also, Jefferson believed that his people could truly unite together under their freedoms and rights, which would make the nation stronger as a whole.  He planned on working hard not just in politics but also in the social aspect of his country.  Jefferson explained how he would try his best to accept anyone (no matter their beliefs) and how he willed for his people to do the same.  "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."  "Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle."  Jefferson believed that uniting would make his nation stronger, and make his government successful despite the differences in political parties.  Additionally, Jefferson believed in equal rights for all men, and making friendships but not alliances with foreign nations.  He planned on establishing his term with freedoms of speech, religion, and traits of liberty and peace.  Overall, Jefferson's inaugural address was filled with his beliefs and goals as president, to make his country flourish.

Washington and Jefferson's inaugural addresses were fairly similar, and also are connected in a way.  Both, obviously, were inaugural addresses where each man took an oath and promised to do what was best for the country.  Washington's address warned the country about factions, and he advised the country to stay strong and not let these potential political differences weaken the country and the government.  Ironically, Jefferson's address is important because this was the first election were factions and political differences were present.  The gap between Federalists and Republicans was growing wider and wider, and in his address, Jefferson explained how he believed (similarly to Washington) that it was best for the nation to put aside their differences and work together in order to be successful.

Blog #9: Columbus

Was Columbus a hero or a villain?

When Columbus first arrived in the new world,  he was approached by the natives with gifts of food, water, and other goods of great value.  Even though he was greeted with such acceptance, Columbus took some of their people forcefully, in order to gain information about where the treasures (gold) of the land were.  From the moment he met them, the man had plans for how to control them and take advantage of them by using them for his own purposes.  Since he had managed to secure ships for his journey through promising the king and queen of Spain treasure, Columbus knew that he needed to find the gold that was said to be hidden within the land.  If he brought back what he promised, they would give him 10% of the wealth in return.  This was Columbus' motivation.  This certainly reflected the villain inside of him.  Additionally, he stole the reward (a high yearly pension) from the man who first spotted land by claiming that he saw it hours beforehand.  Since the Arawak Indians were fairly poor and had no gold with them, this led Columbus to take them in as his prisoners until they gave him information about where to find the gold.  A hero would never hurt others to get what he wants.  Beyond that, Columbus even resulted to killing a few of his prisoners, and then left others of them to die when winter came.  Further, he exaggerated his findings and discoveries to the people back home, gaining him a second expedition with even more men and ships.  His aim for gold was increased with a desire for slaves, using women and children for sex and labor.  Columbus may have brought wealth to his country, but the price he paid was terrible.  His desire for gold made him mad, as he grew desperate for the fame and wealth he thought he deserved.  Columbus, when he realized that too many of his slaves were dying while held captive, decided to get his wealth in another way.  If a slave failed to provide him with the gold he sought, its hands would be cut off and the slave would be left to bleed to death.  Columbus' thirst for wealth left him without any moral values.  On the other hand, historians and other accounts from people who knew him may say that Columbus was indeed a hero, because of his faith in God and how much he achieved for Spain.  Given all of the things that Columbus did, good and bad, he was a villain to a greater extent.

The British policy and belief in mercantilism was similar to Columbus' belief that the native peoples in America existed to benefit his own country (Spain).  For example, Columbus used the Arawak Indians to provide him with information, labor, and gold.  Similarly, Great Britain used the American colonies for more power, natural resources, more people, etc.  In both situations, people were taken advantage of for the good of others.