LAD 19:"Ain't I a Woman?"

In Sojourner Truth's speech she speaks about being just as equal as white women and just as strong as men. She is trying to open up everyone's eye's to how hard it is to be not only a wowan but a black woman as well. She says that white woman get special treatment and favors from men but black freed slave women do not get any treatment. She also says that she can do anything a man could, she can eat as much and take any punishment a man would. She is proud to be a black woman and whats to be treated equally.

LAD 18: "What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?"

Frederick Douglass' speech is about why he was asked to give a speech on the 4th of July when he and his fellow freed slaves had nothing to do with the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. he is upset that they are asked to celebrate a holiday that signifies the Americans freedom when they were not given any.

LAD 17: Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation which banned slavery in the states that had seceded. Although it did not free slaves on the border states i.e Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware or the southern states under Union control. Lincoln used his executive power under the Constitution to declare the Emancipation Proclamation even though it wa not followed.

LAD 16: Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

In Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address, Lincoln makes a shorter message to the people then his first. He mostly wanted to tell the people what was going on with the Civil War. He says that no one wanted war on either side but it was inevitable. Lincoln states the problem of slavery that divided the nation and was the cause of war. To end his address he says that the war will end and unite the Union once and for all.

LAD 15: Dred Scott Decision

The Dred Scott Decision was a decision by the United States Supreme Court, Cheif Justice Roger B. Taney, that ruled that people of African descentim brought to the US and forced to be slaves, or their descendants whether or not they were slaves—could never be citizens of the US, and that the Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories. It also ruled that slaves could not sue their masters or anyone else.

LAD 14: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." This line is Lincolns most famous line in his history of being president. It shows his whole idea that everyone , man, women, whites, blacks, they are all equal. On November 19, 1863, Lincoln made his Gettysburg Address on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, where hundreds of Americas died, southern and northern. Lincoln's main goal of this speech was to reconnect the Union. He wanted the bloodshed to end.

LAD 13: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1861 he made his first inaugural address. He stated that he wanted the United states to be one full nation again and stressed the importants that the succeeded states rejoin the union. He promised the south that he would not invade unless completely necessary He also spoke of the slave issue. Lincoln was against slavery and wanted it to abolished but would not interfere with the states that had it because he felt that was unlawful.

LAD 12: John Calhoun's Speech

In John Calhoun's speech, Calhoun addresses the need for an end to the American Mexican War. He calls upon the two parties to put aside their differences and help each other avoid a disastrous event. He blames some politicians for wanting to restore their wealth and power for the reason they chose to go to war instead of thinking about the common wealth of the US. Calhoun's main purpose for this speech was to get the two parties to work together and fight against the enemies and not each other.

LAD 11: Polk's War Message

President James Polk's War Message addressed the conflict with the Mexican government. Polk was trying to peacefully negotiate a compromise between the US and Mexico. Yet the Mexicans denied all attempts at peace and invaded the US. Polk sent John Slidell to deal with the dispute in Vera Cruz. The Mexican government told the US that they had to withdraw their troops from Vera Cruz or else they would invade Texas. He was sent to late and the Mexicans invaded US territory. The US fought with the Mexicans in Texas.

LAD 10:The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

The first movement towards Women suffrage was at the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, where women said that they deserved equal rights as well. The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions main purpose was to declare that women and men had equal rights. The line, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..." is nearly exactly the same as the preamble but instead of "...all men are created equal..." they put in "...all men AND women...". The Declaration also says that if a group ever feels prejudice, that they need to speak out against the government do that it can be changed. Like the Declaration of Independence the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions lists the wrong doings of the tyranny, in this case men over women. The Declaration clearly states that this was not some joke and must be taken seriously. To ensure this the legilature would pass laws, and eventually they passed the 19th Admendment on August 18, 1920.

LAD 9: The Monroe Doctorine

The Monroe Doctrine states to the European powers that they do not have the right to colonize or interfere with the American states. Monroe did say that they would not interfere with any current colonies on the continent. This Doctrine was to show the rest of the world that America was an independent, free, self-sufficient nation and the other countries had to accept that. The Doctrine stated that violation of this act would result with war. America was done being pushed around and this Doctrine is prove of that.

Columbus Blog #8

Reading A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn i was shockingly surprised to learn of Christopher Columbus' characteristics not mentioned by most historians. My view of him has changed drastically. I see Columbus as a hero but know I see him as a villain to a greater extent. Columbus could be considered the man who created slavery based on race alone. When he first arrived in the Bahamas, his first reaction to the natives was that they would make excellent slaves. Once Columbus stated that, the Indians were see only as slaves and not as human beings. They were treated brutally and forced to work in mines and fields; their population was nearly wiped out. Columbus nearly caused the extinction of a race for his on selfish conquest of gold. Columbus did in fact discover America, and for that is a hero, but in doing so he created race-based slavery and destroyed a civilization.
When I was reading Zinn i could not believe what he was telling us. Historians have left out some very important information about a national hero, and i cant help but ask myself, what else have they not told us? What other information have historians left out? Could the history of America be a lie? I am shocked and angry when I think of this. Zinn has exposed the truth and for now, kept this history alive. Without this book, some events in history may have been lost forever.

LAD 7: Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address

In Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address, he tells the people of America that they are all coming together under the Constitution and that they need to be one nation. He also talks about Religious intolerance and that they have overcome it and everyone is free to practice their Religion. Also he says that everyone is a Republican (Federalist) and if someone was an Anti-Federalist and against the Constitution, they still had the freedom to believe that and there was to be no persecution. He also speaks about how great the Constitution is; promising everyone equality, freedom, and happiness. And in his conclusion, he tells the people that when he has done everything they want him to do to, he would retire and step down from presidency.

LAD 6: Washington's Farewell Address

In Washington's Farewell Address he is resigning from presidency. He is telling his fellow Americans that it is now time for a new citizen to lead the country. He tells everyone that he only had the good will country in mind when he was president and was grateful for that time. He owes his success to his country and its people, showing his gratitude to the United Sates.

LAD 5: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

In his Proclamation of Neutrality, George Washington is asking the nations of Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, United Netherlands, and France to not attack their new nation and let the United States of America become a nation. He also warned the citizens that if they acted with those countries that they would not be protected by the United States. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality was basically asking the world to let the USA grown out of the kindness of their hearts.

LAD 4: The Federalist

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Factions will always be around because to the wide verity of different cultures, backgrounds and many other reasons. The only way to destroy factions would involve destroying the liberty liberty which is essential to its existence. To eliminate factions every citizen would have to have the same opinion, the same passions and the same interests.
2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
Factions can be controlled by having the majority faction have the same passion, interest, and opinion. Also no man is allowed to be his own judge preventing him from being biased.

Revolution Article

5 things learned from article:

1. The upper class Bostonians "...wanted to tame the memory of Boston's Revolution" to prevent the laborers from getting ideas of the Revolutionary patriots and causing riots among the working class.
2. The French did not play as much as an important part as most had suspected. They were not the deciding factor of the war.
3. After the war, surprisingly Washington created no dates to be remembered or praised the soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
4. The signing of Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention are the two most written about events in American history, overlooking the actual war and battles of the Revolution.
5. The British and the Americas fought no more than about hindered feet from each other in the Revolutionary war because of their weapons. This ended up causing mass casualties.

LAD 3: The Declaration of Independence

Summarize the Declaration of Independence in 3 parts (1. democratic principles, 2.list a handful of grievances, and 3. the conclusion)
1. The Declaration of Independence states that everyone has "...certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..." and that they, the people, have the right to change the government if they see fit. The Declaration of Independence gives the people the right to vote for their government.
2. The Declaration of Independence list the most of the King's wrong doings towards the colonist.
It listed their complaints about the unfair taxes, Quartering Act and about "No taxation without representation". It also stated their complaints about the King disregarding the colonist local government.
3. The conclusion of The Declaration of Independence stated that the colonies were detaching themselves from Great Britain. It stated that the United States of America were an independent nation and had all the rights that independent nations had, such as, waging war, making allies and making peace.

LAD 2: Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger? John Peter Zenger was a German man who moved to New York in 1710 and was the printer and editor of the New York Weekly Journal.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense. In 1734 John Peter Zenger was arrested and charged with seditious libel for his articles against the Governor of New York, William Cosby. Andrew Hamilton defended Zenger on the charges saying that it could not be libel if the statements were true.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition? The John Peter Zenger trial was a landmark trial for the Freedom of Press and a precedent against the judicial tyranny against libel suits.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain. The trial set a precedent which would change the judicial syatem forever.

LAD 1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of CT

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The concepts included in the Mayflower Compact are that they remain loyal to their King. They also said they would create equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and officers.
2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds? They colonist state that they remain loyal to King James. It also mentions they are creating the first colony in the new world called Virginia.
3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders clearly state the regulations of their government in the document. The Mayflower Compact sets no laws or regulations.
4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution? God promoted the colonist to write a constitution. The Fundamental Orders state "...where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established according to God, to order and dispose of the affairs of the people at all seasons as occasion shall require..."
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 gives the colonist the power to call a meeting, if necessary, if they feel a officer is corrupted.