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.

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.