LAD #14

President Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

President Lincoln started his first Inaugural address by stating some clarifications. His first statement was that he had no intention of abolishing slavery, and that he south can relax on this subject. President Lincoln then quoted the American constitution, in which he reminded the Americans that any run away slave is to be returned to their owner across state lines. He then made the specific point in saying that the union will survive and no states will be allowed to secede, due to the fact that it would go against the constitution. Then he also stated he has no plans of using his powers to limit the power of any of the states. These statements established him as a very strict constitutionalist, he clarifies by saying since the constitution does not give any one in the federal government the right to interfere with slavery, that he will not do so. After that he states that the minority will follow the will of the majority, because the result would be anarchy if they did not. He goes on to say that it goes against logic for the union to break apart, but he does encourage the people to use their power to amend the government. He says the government exists to serve the governed. He ends his first Inaugural address by saying that the United States are close to a civil war and that he hopes the American people can become friends again, and forget their enemies.

LAD #13 - John Calhoun's Speech

In John Calhoun's speech he argues the cause of the current sectionalist tensions felt in the country. He discusses many topics such as the issue of slavery, the equilibrium in the senate and the tariff, plus many other topics to what he thinks the cause of this sectionalism is. To the greatest extent Calhoun believes that the issue of slavery is the biggest cause of this tension. In the North, their states are increasing in numbers and will ultimately lead to an imbalance in the senate. As a result of this imbalance, the government that created this equilibrium will in the end destroy it. Calhoun also claims that the exclusion form the North to the South form gaining as much land as the north is one of the primary concerns for the current political factionalism. Calhoun continues on stating that the tariff, which is used to protect the manufactures of the north, is in fact deadly to business in the south. This, along with the recent increase in the North's population, has also lead to increased sectional discontent and even more grumbles from the south. Best explained by Calhoun is that if the south is continuously faced with the hard decision between abolition and secession, the Union, as we know it with fall to piece and result in some sort of armed conflict. He explains that in order to resolve these tensions, the North will have to make concessions including restoring balance in the Senate, allowing the South to claim land, and accepting slavery.  With these concessions it will allow the south to love peacefully within the union. Almost done with his speech Calhoun concludes by stating the North must take these actions and allow the South to gain California, or else it would become clear the North strongly dislikes the south. Then finally in his last breath of his speech he ends it by saying he has fulfilled his duty by expressing his own opinion and is now free of that responsibility. Then less than one month later he actually took his last breath, and died.

LAD #12 President Polk's War Message

To start his war message to congress President James K. Polk explains that he had recently tried to seek peace the Mexican government, and in his efforts the Mexicans rejected the offering, and then went out and attacked some nearby American Settlements. Polk went on to say that the Mexican government originally approved the American peace envoy, but when John Slidell arrived they soon rejected them.  President Polk also stated that the men who originally approved this envoy were in the ranks of General Herra's army, which now was under control of the revolutionary party, who had to desire to negotiate with America.

The revolutionary part under General Paredes felt no need to follow the example of his predecessor. Polk then explained to congress that he had troops positioned around Texas to protect the Texans and maintain their rights. Polk then addresses two more grievances to Congress; one was that Mexico was unable to stably communicate with America and failed to adhere to their treaties. He then reminds Congress that the American commerce has been hurt, even with America looking to make peaceful amends with Mexico. In the End President Polk ends his message to congress by stating that because Mexico has showed such violence against America, America must declare war on Mexico for the safety of our own citizens. 

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

             The Seneca Falls Declaration was brought up by the people who wanted to make change happen. These people couldn't stand with what they were living with and wanted to make the best out of an occupation that was often not glamours. The people who participated in sharing there options were Frances Wright, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Ernestine Rose, plus many other influential women. These women wanted to be treated as equals, these women expressed how poorly they had been mistreated and abused by men. An example is how men take women as property along with the women's own money. These role model women then came up with ideas on how they could become equal to men. They spoke up and and stated that god had intended all men and women to be equal and that it was the women's responsibly to speak and encourage teaching. These women played an important role in society and the Seneca Falls Declaration was the first step in a long journey for women gaining equality. 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal"

LAD #10

The Monroe Doctrine: 

           December 2, 1823 at President Monroe's seventh annual address to congress, President Monroe presented the Monroe Doctrine. In the president’s address to congress, he informed them that several countries in Latin America (Chile, Columbia, Mexico and Peru), had established stable governments and that the US should recognize theses countries as newly established countries. With President Monroe’s supervision, John Quincy Adams made instructions for the new ambassadors of these newly recognized countries. President Monroe also declared that the US's policy was to republicanism institutions. The Monroe Doctrine also stated that the US would no longer consider the Western Hemisphere a place for any kind of European Colonization. This doctrine also stated that any further effort made by European countries to gain control in this hemisphere or violated the independence or existing states, would be treated as an act of hostility. According to Monroe the Us, Britain and Russia believed that Europe needed to stay out of colonial affairs and only interfere with their own. It also says that America intends to be neutral in all European affairs and wars, including any of which are between European colonies vs. their mother countries. Then America agreed to stay out of European affairs (including there colonies) and expected in Return Europe to do the same in the Western Hemisphere.

 

LAD #9

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

 Thomas Jefferson started his March 4th, 1801 Inaugural Address (his first one), by stating he was going to take a very cautious approach to the presidency. Very humble with his words he said he alone was not talented enough to run country and would rely heavily on the Constitution to help him through any trouble. After that Jefferson tells the people of the United States that best for them to unite, regardless of past conflicts. It is his belief that the new republican government will be strong and that the people can successfully govern themselves. Jefferson then tells the people that in order to be successful they must obey the principles of equality, truth, honor and lastly temperance. After that Jefferson lists the policies regarding government, economy and society that will make the Untied States successful. He asks the people to be patient with him and to support the government even at hard times. He will complete his responsibilities to best of his ability,and he will only retire and stop this when the people want him to. Jefferson then ends his first Inaugural Address by reminding the people that the governments power lies in them and they he hopes he and the government will fairly represent the wishes of the people.

Columbus Blog #8

Should Christopher Columbus be considered a hero or villain?

Well... there are two sides to every pancake, but I choose the side where he is a villain. He did do some great things, but the path he took to get there was horrible. Christopher Columbus was a lying, self absorbed, gold seeking traitor. To start off the list of things he did wrong, the first man to see the sight of land was supposed to get a yearly pension of 10,000 maravedis for life, but the man who was first never got his money, Christopher Columbus did. He said he was the first man to see the new land and he lied for the money. Then, when he arrived back from his first voyage he exaggerated his reports and promises to the crown for more money to voyage back again. Then when he went back he started rounding up the natives to use as slaves, he would even take women and children. With these slaves he would send them on gold hunts and if they didn't find any they would have their hand cut off and be left to bleed to death. This then started mass suicide among the natives because they did not want to be taken by the Spaniards. This man caused such a fear in the natives, more then half died, through murder suicide or mutilation. A quote from the reading about the enslavement and killings ""The cruel policy initiated by Columbus and pursued by his successors resulted in complete genocide."" Columbus truly had no respect for the natives culture and what they could teach them, he only had an interest in what he could take from them. He also wasn't even from Spain, he just was representing them, not even his own home country (bad Italian). He really should be considered a villain in history, not a hero. What is presented to society is a day off of work because it was the day this land was found, but what really people are unknowingly celebrating is slavery, cruelty, and death. I don't think people really want to celebrate that Christopher Columbus, that is a memory best kept away.