LAD/Blog #15: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Summary:
Right from the beginning, Abraham Lincoln starts off his speech by saying that he sees no need to go through all of the really boring parts of it, like the oath.  Instead, he prefers to talk about the more important things, like the great divide now present between the North and South.  Lincoln clearly states how he does not plan on interfering with the states that currently have slavery.  He believes that he does not actually have the "right" to do this, and would rather focus his energy on the growing issue that slavery causes as the US expands and more new states are added.  Here he thanks those who voted for him, saying that they know who he is and how he is not planning on changing that person.  Lincoln believes in the power of the states, yet never says that they should be superior to the federal government's decisions.  He agrees to protect and carry out the written guidelines of the Constitution, saying he was made president to do so, even mentioning part of the preamble: "to form a more perfect union."  Clearly, Lincoln seems levelheaded and has a plan for how to deal with the current sate of America, as he mentions the Constitution several different times in his address.  He feels that the country absolutely cannot be separated, so there must be a better way to resolve the issue.  Lastly, Lincoln stresses the importance of friendship within the nation, saying that there is no greater bond and that hatred will bring nothing good.

Washington's Inaugural Address was obviously similar to Lincoln's as they were the same event, but the similarities go beyond that, too.  Both men talk about the importance of the Constitution, and support it fully.  They agree on the face that this Constitution is the major guideline for the country, and will be the cause of the country's success.  Additionally, both Lincoln and Washington think that the union should be preserved, although when Washington became president, there weren't nearly as many separately opinions or factions present within the union yet.

Blog #14: Calhoun's Speech on the Compromise of 1850

John Calhoun's Speech:
In his speech, John Calhoun expresses his feelings about the Compromise of 1850.  The speech is directed at Congress, and starts off with discussing the issue of slavery in America.  He recognizes how slavery had already split the country in two, and claims that there could be no sense of unity until it was resolved.  Calhoun questions how unity could ever be achieved, and explains how he is fully in support of unity across the country.  He also explains how the difference in opinions and beliefs comes from the South's use of slavery, and the North's disapproval.  Calhoun says how he fears the outcome of the creation of new states, and the expansion of America further out west.  Each side was so deeply rooted in their beliefs that it seemed impossible to reach a compromise.  Each side also held hatred against the other for difference in how they were treated by the government, with taxes, tariffs, and various acts.  Additionally, there was an issue of balance between the two sides, and how they tried to keep the amount of land equal between them, including newly acquired territories.  Specifically with the South, they felt that too many states were becoming anti-slavery, and this upset in balance ultimately contributed to their decision to try to secede from the US.  Calhoun questions what can be done about this issue, and also why nothing has been done in the past to stop or prevent the agitation.  He knows that there will come a point where things will go too far and the South may try to break away.  Calhoun's main point is that the country is in great danger, and will continue to be unless something is done, quickly, to stop it.

The Missouri Compromise was very similar to John Calhoun's speech to Congress and the Compromise of 1850.  The Compromise of 1850 amended the Fugitive Slave Act and abolished the slave trade in Washington D.C.  Calhoun's speech went on to express his feelings about the growing divide between the North and the South, and how this lack of unity would only damage the country.  Similarly, the Missouri Compromise, created by Henry Clay in 1820, dealt with the issue of slavery vs. anti-slavery states.  Both the North and South wanted to make sure that there was an equal number of slave and non-slave states.  As a result, Missouri was created as a slave state while Maine was created as a non-slave state. 

LAD/Blog #13: Polk's War Message

Summary:
Polk started his message with an explanation of how the United States had previously been trying hard to maintain peace with Mexico.  He made it clear how America tried to reach out and support Mexico, only to have them fight back, invade the country, and even kill some Americans.  This upset was very unexpected, as Polk had previously sent John Slidell as a diplomat to negotiate terms of peace between the two countries.  The violent actions of the Mexicans led them to ignore Slidell's attempts for peace.  After being rejected multiple times by General Pardedes, Slidell returned to the US to report back to President Polk.  Once he got the news, Polk sent US troops down to the Del Norte River as defense.  Instead, these troops led to the Mexican's thinking the US soldiers were going to launch an attack.  Ultimately, Polk decided that this war was unavoidable, and order the US troops to fight back so the country would not appear weak. 

Polk's War Message was very similar to Madison's declaration in the War of 1812.  Both presidents did not want a war, but they also both thought the war was unavoidable and necessary due to conflicts with other countries that would not respect the US's wishes for neutrality and peace.  Both declarations were passed by Congress, both led to wars, and both wars were declared under the same mind set.

LAD/Blog #12: Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments

1.  Democratic Principles:

• All men and women are created equal
• All humans are given certain inalienable rights by their Creator: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• The government obtains its power through the governed peoples
• If the government fails to give these rights to the people, they have the right to overthrow the government and create a new one

2.  Grievances:

1. Men take away a woman's right to own property
   
2. Men take away a woman's right to their own wages
   
3. Men take away a woman's right to an education at college
   
4. Men take away a woman's right to have a say in government and the law
   
5. Men take away rights from women that are given to all other men
   

3.  Final Resolution:
In this declaration, women argue that they have been deprived of their natural rights for too long, and demand to be given these rights at once, as rightful citizens of the United States.

4.  Names:

1. Frederick Douglas
2. Henry Seymour
   
3. Thomas M'Clintock
   
4. Jacob Mathews
   
5. James Mott

Susan B. Anthony did not sign the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments.

Both the 19th Amendment and the earlier idea of Republican Motherhood were very similar to this Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments.  The declaration was signed by many women and men who were outraged with the lack of women's rights in the United States.  Similarly, the supporters of Republican Motherhood believed that women should not just be kept inside the home, and should be given a higher political status and place in the world.  The 19th Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1920, finally giving women the right to vote, which was a step in the right direction to giving women equal rights that men already had.

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.