LAD #10

The Monroe Doctrine

 

 



Great Britain had desires for land in the Americas but the United States realized that their rights and interests were involved.  Therefore, the US announced that land in the American continents, no matter what kind of rule it was under, was not to be considered subjects of future colonization.  President Monroe explains that the US government and citizens care deeply about the affairs of other American countries.  When there is a european war the US is not as connected and less obligated to take action.  On the other hand, when the events are taking place in the western hemisphere they have a more direct impact on the United States.  With this being said, the US will consider any nation's attempt to extend their power within this hemisphere as dangerous to the peace of the American nation.  Monroe also says that the US has no intentions of trying to control these nations and the US maintains a policy of neutrality.  In regards to Europe especially, Monroe has no intention to become involved in the issues that are prominant such as Spain and Portugal.  In closing Monroe states that it is impossible for a nation to extend its power over any part of the Americas without endangering US happiness Also, that the US remains true to their policies and does not plan to go into any other American countries and he hopes european nations will do the same.

LAD #9

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address       



 

 

In his first inaugural address Jefferson starts by addressing the people and thanking them for the gift of being the leader of such a great country.  He says it's an honor to be a part of a rising nation although it is also a bit intimidating.  But then he reminds himself that he has the Constitution to help him make decisions and the national legislature to guide him through his presidency.  Next he begins to talk of the liberties that Americans have such as the write to free speech.  Leading him to explain that with the power the people must unite and move towards the common good.  Even if a majority has agreed on something though, it cannot interfere with the rights of the minority.  According to Jefferson, it is crucial that the Americans unite with their common ideals.  It seems as if as he goes on he is warning them not to become involved in political parties.  He believes that the American government is the best in the world, but he goes on to say that only time will tell if that is really true.  The United States is full of opportunities throughout a vast expanse of land that any person is lucky to be a part of.  With all of these blessings the only thing needed to improve lives is a prospering government that does not restrict the rights of it's people but also prevents them from hurting one another.

 

Jefferson promises to accomplish many goals during his presidency:

• Equality to all men
• Peace and commerce with foreign nations
• Support state governments and their decisions
• Preservation of the American government
• Importance of the right of election by the people
• Support decisions made by the majority
• Well-disciplined militia
• Supremacy of civil authority to military
• Improved economy
• Honest payment of debts
• Encouragement of agriculture
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom of press
• Freedom of the person by Habeas Corpus

To finish he asks the American people to have at least some amount of confidence in him and to forgive him for the mistakes he makes along the way.  Thomas Jefferson announces he is ready to work for the people and to hopefully lead them to further peace and prosperity.

 

 

Columbus Blog #8

Was Columbus a hero or a villain?

This is actually something I feel very strongly about partially due to one of my past Social Studies teachers.  I strongly believe that Columbus was a villain and that there are really not many arguments otherwise. He is usually referred to as the first person to discover America and the New World.  But in reality he was just the first European to do so.  Native Americans had been living there for many years and also Russians who crossed the land bridge had already inhabited Northern America.  Not only did he not do these good things but he did many terrible things in the new world.  He arrived and decided that the land was his although there were already Natives who had established civilizations.  But instead of trying to coexist with the natives or assimilate into their culture, Columbus and his men assimilated the Natives into their culture.  Even worse, if the natives refused to do so, Columbus had no mercy or sympathy, instead he killed them.  Overall I believe Columbus was a selfish and pompous man and does not deserve to be celebrated the way he is today.