LAD #21: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie

Carnegie states that the problem of his day is the administration of wealth, and the new differences between the rich and poor should be celebrated rather than despised because it's better that the rich have more than nobody have anything, or civilization would collapse. He then answers the question: what's the right way to administer wealth? He defines the three ways to administer wealth (giving it to descendants, donating it to the public upon death, or using it throughout the owner's lifetime), stating the first to be not useful as the value of land falls or is lost and generally causes more harm than good. The second method can only be used for disposing of wealth and usually doesn't lead to the goals the person wants during their lifetime as it takes a while for the money left to make an impact. Carnegie does say that it's becoming more common that large estates are taxed after their owners' deaths, which is a good way to redistribute the funds to the public instead of being hoarded by someone else. This also leads to businessmen being more likely to use their money in their lifetime where it can be the most beneficial to all people. He further claims that this third way of administering wealth is the solution for all the temporary inequality in wealth between the rich and the poor, since it running through the hands of the wealthy few first and then later becoming the property of many has a much greater effect than giving the poor small amounts of money individually. He describes the duties of a man of wealth as living a modest, unostentatious life and then distributing surplus money through the population which will eventually better society as a whole.

LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation refers to another date (September 22, 1862) in which Abraham Lincoln announced that he would free the slaves in the rebellious states or parts of states of the South on January 1, 1863, and that the Executive Government would support their freedom. Lincoln then listed the territories in which the Emancipation Proclamation was due to take place, which was most of the South but not the "border states", and asserted that the Government, including the army and navy, would uphold the document. He ends by warning the newly freed slaves not to resort to violence, and invited any of them to join the military of the Union.

LAD #19: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

Lincoln giving his Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln starts this address by saying that, unlike his 1st, there was no need for an extended speech this time. He talks briefly about the Civil War at the time 4 years ago, saying how then everyone sought to avoid it although it eventually happened anyway to determine how the Union would be afterwards- that some people would prefer war over keeping the country in one piece, though nobody expected it to go on for that long. He affirms his beliefs that the Federal Government had no power to stop slavery, only the power to stop its expansion, and that's ultimately what the war became about. He also expresses his wish that the war would quickly come to a close, and that everyone should try to fix the wounds in the nation and make an effort to keep the country united through times of war.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott

The controversial Scott v. Sandford case of 1857 arose when Dred Scott crossed from a slave state into a free state, wanting to be free from slavery. Chief Justice Roger Taney was chosen to represent the majority opinion of the Court. The new President, Buchanan, contacted some people he knew in the Supreme Court and asked what side he should support in his inaugural address. He ended up saying that he would support the decision of the Supreme Court, whatever it was going to be. Taney dismissed the case in the end, saying that even free black people weren't truly citizens of the United States and therefore were unable to sue in court. Furthermore, he said that he couldn't declare Scott free because slaves counted as property, and it was unconstitutional to take away someone's property without due process. This led him to determine that the Missouri Compromise was also unconstitutional, as it limited slavery and therefore limited property. The dismissal of the case upheld the state of Missouri's ruling in favor of Sandford.

LAD #17: Ain't I A Woman?

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth, in this speech, addresses people's treatment of women. She called out their behavior when they say that women need to be helped everywhere and can't do the same things men can do, and saying that she was a woman too and yet nobody ever helped her, and she worked just as hard a man, and saw most of her children sold off to slavery, and led a hard life even though women weren't supposed to do that, according to some. Truth then devalues the argument of intellect proving that other groups shouldn't have equal rights, saying that has nothing to do with equality at all and shouldn't affect how well people are treated. She finishes by saying that if the first woman God made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, then the women of that day should be able to get together and fix it again.

LAD #16: 5th of July Speech

Frederick Douglass

In the beginning of his speech, Frederick Douglass asks if the principles of political freedom and natural justice apply to him as well. He states that the independence of the white people in the country only serves to highlight the differences between the groups, as the liberty, prosperity, justice, and independence they celebrate only applied to them. He also says that its hypocritical to not give these core principles to African-Americans and then ask one to speak on the Fourth of July, a day for celebrating all these things. If he just forgets about their struggles and joins in with the majority, he says, it would be the same as treason. Douglass denounces "everything that serves to perpetrate slavery" and America's denial of past and present situations. He affirms that, to a slave, the Fourth of July is an extreme reminder of the injustice they have to face, like it's mocking their situation while everyone is celebrating their freedom, and they don't have any. Douglass concludes with saying there is no other nation on Earth as hypocritical and cruel as the United States is on the Fourth of July.

LAD #15: The Gettysburg Address

Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address

Lincoln begins the Gettysburg Address by saying that when the Founding Fathers made the country, they did so on the premise that "all men were created equal", but the country had become engaged in a civil war over that very issue. The Civil War, he said, was like a test to see how long the nation could endure. He then stated that the true importance of the gathering there was to honor the efforts of the fallen soldiers, and that the remaining living should carry on the goals of the dead and prevent the country from collapsing and disappearing.

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

A photo of President Lincoln giving his first inaugural address

Lincoln starts the speech with saying that he feels no need to address matters of presidential administration as he doesn't find them important. He then states that he has no intention of abolishing slavery and reassures the people of the southern states that he isn't out to completely change their way of life or give them any reason to fear their rights might be infringed upon. He also addresses the issue some people have regarding slaves, pointing out that the decision written in the Constitution would be carried out, so they wouldn't have to worry about how it's being carried out. Throughout the entire speech, Lincoln tries to gain support from the Southerners and clear up any misconceptions they might have about his goals as President. He also says something about the threat to the unity of the country and how a state can't just leave the Union lawfully, as well as the fact that the Constitution says nothing about Congress's power over slavery in the new states, but does say that any right written plainly in the constitution has never before been denied. Lincoln stated that the dispute over slavery was the only substantial one having effect then immediately. He then says that, because of this and because of smaller problems arising from this, some people want to amend the Constitution, which he recognizes as a right that the citizens have, declaring the country to belong to the people. Lincoln later addresses the issue of secession again, saying that he has no authority over making terms for the separation of states because the people haven't given him any to do so. He concludes the speech by saying that the question of civil war is in the people's hands, not his, and that everyone in the country must remain as friends, not enemies.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

John C. Calhoun, the author of the Clay Compromise Measures

Calhoun starts his speech by saying that the issue of slavery and general discontent in the South has grown so much that it threatened the unity of the country, and poses the question: how can the Union be preserved? Even though people in the south have tried to preserve peace it wasn't successful. He then asks, what caused the beliefs of the impossibility of certain things as they were remaining in the Union? Calhoun states that the primary reason is the equilibrium between the sections of the United States has been thrown off, because the North has more control over the government due to having more states and more population. The probable addition of several new states to the North would also greatly increase the number of senators there, which is promoted by the government, controlled mostly by the North, who should be trying to benefit all states. Calhoun points out that if nothing is done to stop the agitation already arising from these issues, introducing what to do about the topic of slavery will be the breaking point of the country. He believes that the only way of preserving the Union is to adopt measures that will satisfy the Southern states so they don't try to secede or civil war occurs. He continues with the point, saying that the North will have to be willing to implement changes, because the South is unable to do it by itself.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

President James K. Polk

In his war message to Congress, Polk states that even though they have made efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully, the Mexicans would not cooperate and eventually invaded American territory. This was due to the leader of the government changing to a military leader after General Herrera had surrendered to rebel forces, with the new leader, General Paredes, refusing to see the American envoy. Because Mexico had threatened invasion when Texas annexed itself to the U.S., protection was given to it. Troops were later moved to protect the area near the Del Norte river, the border between Texas and Mexico. Mexican forces at nearby Matamoras demanded that the camp be broken up and troops moved back over the Nueces river, the border that was established before the land there was annexed to the U.S. as part of Texan territory. A group of 63 members of the U.S. Army went to the river to see if the Mexican forces were attempting to cross the border, where they were surrounded and had to surrender. Polk argues that these issues had gone on long enough without anything done about them and finishes by stating that because Americans were killed on their own soil, the United States was justified in going to war and should see that the rights and interests of the U.S. are carried out.

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

A woman gives a speech at the Seneca Falls Convention

The Declaration issued at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 consisted of two parts: the Declaration of Sentiments, and Resolutions. The Declaration of Sentiments was structured after the Declaration of Independence, with key differences being "all men and women are created equal", resolving one of the issues from the original Declaration, and listing the "repeated injuries and usurpations" faced by women over the years, including the powerlessness of a married woman to her husband and the restrictions placed upon women in the areas of voting, education, employment, and religion. The Resolutions state that laws that make men and women are not intended by nature or God, and should be corrected, as well as saying that men and women should be treated the same both by laws and by social norms. They also elaborate on how women should achieve equality in all spheres of life as they were both made with the same capabilities and how men and women would need to cooperate to destroy the supremacy of men in everyday life.

LAD #10: The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine

 

 

1. What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?

 

After the War of 1812, increased feelings of nationalism led to more assertiveness regarding the territory of the Western Hemisphere. This was kind of arrogant because they hadn't won the war; it was a tie. Regardless, when the Monroe Doctrine was issued, the Americans believed that the European powers shouldn't make any further efforts to colonize or interfere with other countries in that area. They also felt that if there was action taken, it would be a threat the their security and the United States would have to intervene.

 

2. What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?

 

Adams wanted to prove that the United States wasn't going to let itself get pushed around, directly or indirectly, by the European powers. He also hoped that it would make clear America's position on further colonization, which helped to cement its foreign policy.

 

3. What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone of American foreign policy?

 

"It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense." This quote shows that the United States is generally neutral to other countries' affairs, and only takes action if it's a threat to American peace and security.



Columbus Blog #8

Christopher Columbus

I think that Columbus should be considered more of a villain than a hero, based on his actions. He is often attributed to being the one who first discovered America (he wasn't), but even this discovery was a mistake. He was trying to find a quicker route to get to Asia in order to trade more efficiently, but accidentally stumbled upon the Americas. He then exploited the native people living there for other countries' gain, including enslaving and killing them, which eventually led to the almost complete eradication of the native people's culture when more conquistadors arrived.

LAD #9: Jefferson's 1st Inaugural Address

Jefferson's 1st Inaugural Address

He opens his address by thanking those who helped him get there, and saying how he looks forward to collaborating with the legislature. Jefferson then states that in spite of conflicting opinions, people will follow the law and contribute to the common good due to the Constitution. He says that even though the will of the majority rules, the minority will have equal rights, also claiming that even if religious intoleration has been eliminated, it would still be just as bad if there was also political intoleration. Jefferson strongly believes that people are free to have their own opinions. He then goes on to say that a "wise and frugal government" is the only thing not present in people's lives. Jefferson also lists qualities that he finds most essential to the United States government, including "exact and equal" justice, friendship (but no alliances) with foreign nations, the supremacy of the majority"s will, and the freedoms of religion and press, stating that these principles have helped to guide the nation to where it is. Lastly, Jefferson mentions how proud he is to take on the role of President and asks the public to forgive his errors that he might make while in office.

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

Washington's Farewell Address, 1796

In Washington's Farewell Address, he announces that he will be retiring from the position of president in order to lead a calmer life as he gets older. In his address he also warns of things that could be dangerous to the government, like the development of different political parties as it could destroy the unity of the country (especially if certain regions have a tendency to be affiliated with any one party). He also warns against excessive involvement with other countries, forming permanent alliances, and suggests resisting foreign influences. Washington further states that the U.S. should have as little political connection with trading partners as possible, and thinks neutrality is the best option in most situations, recommending that they should "cultivate peace and harmony with all." Washington also recommends that the military be prevented from being "overgrown" since it's unpromising towards liberty.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

The Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793

In his Proclamation of Neutrality, Washington states that the U.S. will "with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent Powers," meaning that the United States won't take any sides and treat each country (Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, the United Netherlands, and France) the same. He also warns the citizens of the U.S. not to take any actions which would contradict those actions., and if they do they could be punished by law.

LAD #5: The Federalist #10

#10 of The Federalist Papers

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

It's nearly impossible to eliminate them because the only ways to do that are to get rid of people's freedom of choice, or to give them the same opinions. Getting rid of liberty would lead to more problems as it's necessary to political life, and giving them the same opinions wouldn't work either because as long as people's reasons vary, usually due to different circumstances and backgrounds, they can form different opinions about the smallest things or become biased.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

Factions can be controlled by controlling their effects. If the faction is a minority, then it can be controlled by the majority voting against it. If the faction is a majority, the ways to control it are to prevent the existence of the same passion or interest binding it together, or the members must be made unable to put their plan into effect.

Republican Motherhood Blog

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

Women in the Revolutionary War were able to contribute more to the war effort than they had been able to before. With the men gone fighting, women were the ones left to support them from home as well as raise good citizens during the war, preparing them by teaching their children the principles of liberty and government (Document B). They started to have a more active role in society.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

They were given more responsibility in making sure that their children grew up to be good members of society- it was said that the home was the cradle of humanity and women were to pass along values they had learned  (Document A). It was also deemed important to educate women "in the branches of literature" so they could be effective teachers to their own children. (Document B). This gave them more influence in how society was run (Document D).

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?

When women in this time period began to get more responsibility in their lives, it helped them to realize all of the possibilities of what could happen in the future. Their education and increased influence in society served an important role for helping them to push for more responsibility later on, and become much more than just a caretaker of the children.

Mary Gibson Tilghman and her Sons by Charles Wilson Peale, 1789

1. The setting:

Mrs. Tilghman and her sons are sitting on a sofa for this portrait, but her husband isn't with them. They don't seem to be upset about that, though.

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does she look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?

The mother is at the center, suggesting that she is fundamental to the family and is responsible for many things in the household. She looks moderately wealthy, but could be considered republican rather than aristocratic because she's actively bring up her children and being a part of their lives rather than hiring someone else to take care of them, which is what an aristocratic person might do.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

Her sons seem to have a close bond with her, likely because she spends a lot of time with them and cares for them to have a prominent role in their lives.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm?

Mrs. Tilghman is holding her son close to her, showing that she cares for him a lot and has spent time raising her children with affection.

LAD #4- Revolution Article

5 Things Learned from "Rethinking the Revolution" by John Ferling

John Ferling

• In post-revolution Boston, the emergent elite was confronted with a growing labor movement, and tried to downplay the role of the working class in protests against the Stamp Act and in the Boston Tea Party.

• As time went on, the war was remembered for symbols and rebellion, not the actual battles that took place which misleads many people about the nature of the war.

• Historians wrote a lot about the revolution itself, as well as the Constitutional Convention, but skipped over the actual war which conveyed that it wasn't as important.

• Conditions in the war were so bad at one point that the Continental Army tried to make soup out of shoes.

• There was about a 50/50 chance that a Continental soldier would survive captivity during the war, though the odds of dying in battle were closer to 1/10.

LAD #3: The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

1. Democratic Principles

The Declaration of Independence states that there are certain rights, a few being life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that all men are allowed, and if their government withholds any of these rights from them and becomes oppressive they are able to make a new government that would better serve the people.

2. Grievances

 A few of the grievances the colonists listed included King George III dissolving their representative houses for speaking out about his infractions on  the rights of the citizens. They also had complained that he left standing armies amongst them during times of peace, and for taxing the colonies without their approval. Another grievance the colonists had was with King George III paying judges directly in order to try and influence them to join Britain's side.

3. Conclusion

In the conclusion the colonists clearly and firmly state that they want to be separate from the British crown, with the new united colonies declaring themselves to be free and independent states. They're also sending a very clear message in the hopes that this document won't be ignored like many of the other petitions they had sent to correct grievances.

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

He was a German immigrant who had served an apprenticeship under the printer of the New York Gazette. He later became the printer and editor of the newspaper The New York Weekly Journal, which was established as an opposition newspaper to Governor William Cosby. Zenger published articles that were critical of Cosby and his corrupt actions to gain more political influence, such as replacing the Chief Justice Lewis Morris with someone who agreed more with his views. Cosby condemned these newspaper articles as "scandalous, virulent, false, and seditious reflections."

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

Zenger was arrested and thrown in jail under charges of seditious libel. He went to Philadelphia for his trial, defended by Andrew Hamilton. It was argued that just because these negative articles were published that they would be enough evidence to convict Zenger, but Hamilton appealed directly to the jury that the statements weren't libel if they could be proved. The jury then shortly after acquitted him.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

The outcome of Zenger's trial displayed that if a certain statement is true, then it can't possibly be libel, and made the truth an effective defense against accusation of being libelous. This would help to change the outcomes of future cases with accusations similar to these.

4. What is the lasting significance of this trial? Explain.

It was a landmark victory for freedom of the press, and guaranteed that newspapers could be allowed to print slanderous articles as long as what they were saying was true. Libel trials were also influenced by changing how libel was categorized.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

  

The Mayflower Compact

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The concepts included are the formation of their own government, and making and passing their own laws.

2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

It reflects attachments to the Old World by stating the writers were loyal subjects of the king as well as making the colony in honor of the king and their country. It reflects attachments to the New World as well, by demonstrating a more democratic form of government and by making laws themselves in order to govern.

3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were much more thorough in establishing the rules and laws of the society, and were more detailed in making sure that the government would work for a long time. The Mayflower Compact was more vague and temporary so it didn't give a solid definition of what its government should be like.


4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?


The colonists wanted to make sure that this government would be able to last a long time without sacrificing the democratic ideals of it as the years went on. They also wanted to make a government that would be strong and effective enough to govern the three towns that were joining together.


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 governor, constables, magistrates, and other officials are all voted into their position by the people, and certain measures are taken to prevent corruption within the government- for example, is the governor or magistrates fail to call necessary courts, the freemen can petition and carry out the duty of the court themselves if they are ignored, preventing the governor or magistrates from trying to take complete control of the government. The colonists write out rules that make sure it's impossible to be in charge of the colony without the consent of the general population.

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