LAD #14

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln starts by saying that he doesn't believe it's necessary to address matters that are not urgent at the time.  So, he goes right into assuring the south that there is no reason to feel their security is endangered.  He has no interest in interfering with slavery in the south because he does not believe he has the right to do so.  States have control over their own domestic policies and that must be maintained to maintain a balance of power.  He reiterates that with the new Administration does not plan to take that power away from any states and also will protect each state with the same respect no matter what their policies may be.  Any slaves that may escape will be returned to their rightful place as stated in the Constitution.  There may be controversy over whether the state or federal government should enforce it but either way it will be enforced.  Lincoln as he enters office has no intention of twisting the constitution and he believes everyone else shouldn't either.  This is a particularly difficult time to be President but if he follows the constitution, he believes the Union will prevail.  However, if this Union could be destroyed lawfully by one or more states then the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution.  No state on it's own can lawfully leave the Union.  Lincoln believes the Union is unbroken and that the laws of the Union must be followed in every state.  Fighting or violence is not necessary unless it is forced upon national authority.  Lincoln is not speaking to those who want to destroy the Union but instead those who truly love the Union.  All constitutional rights have been maintained and will continue to be maintained.  If a minority were to secede, they would destroy themselves and any part of that confederacy may secede yet again.  Secession is the essence of anarchy as unanimity is impossible so the will of a minority is being enforced.  Lincoln does remember that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court and their decisions must be obeyed.  Slavery is the only true issue and a break in the Union would make both sides of the argument unhappy.  The country will never be able to separate in a physical sense as there can be no wall built between us.  The US belongs to its citizens and when they are unhappy with something, they have the right to amend or ever overthrow in revolution.  He explains that his duty as president is to look over the government that is given to him by his predecessor.  Those who are frustrated are frustrating themselves by taking time as none of their constitutional rights have been impaired.  The future of the Union is in the hands of its citizens, who are in all respects friends, not enemies.

LAD #13

The Clay Compromise Measures







John Calhoun believed that the disagreements regarding slavery if not resolved soon would lead to disunion and wanted to give his opinion on how to stop this from happening.  He knew that he didn't know exactly what to do but he started by figuring out what it was that was ruining the Union in the first place.  It was universal southern discontent regarding slavery and more that was hurting the Union.  But then what was causing this discontent?  Contrary to popular belief, the Southern parties were not trying to excite this discontent, they were doing the opposite.  This discontent was caused by the belief that people in the south could not go on living if the Union did not make changes.  And, now, what caused this belief?  Obvious slavery had to come up as it had caused agitation in the South for years.  In addition, though, the North had exclusive power in the federal government and were therefore dominant in every part of government.  There were also many territories that would soon join the Union and add to the Northern section, while there were no territories in progress for the Southern section.  The south had not been given access to the newly acquired territory from the treaty with Mexico because the North took it all for themselves.  The government had also implemented a system of revenue which derived money from duties on imports which heavily impacted the mainly exporting states of the south.  All of these observations clearly explain why the  North has dominance in government due to it's increase in population and states.  Slavery is tearing the nation apart as most northerners are strongly opposed and see it as a sin.  Calhoun know though that if the States abolish slavery the south will almost certainly secede.  Disunion is not caused by disagreement over just one issue.  Disunion is caused by a long process that slowly breaks the ties between the two parties.  Once the two parties are broken apart then there is basically nothing holding them together.  So how can the Union be saved?  Calhoun explained that the South must be given the same opportunities and liberties as the North and only the North can do that.  If the north really wanted to save the Union they would give up some things to the south for the sake of the country.  But a decision needed to be made whether it was compromise or peaceful separation action needed to take place.

LAD#12

Polk's War Message, 1846

Polk starts by explaining that the US greatly desires peace with Mexico and will take measures such as adjusting their border to establish good relations with Mexico.  The US has made attempts at compromise but the Mexican Government has refused these propositions and even invaded US soil.  He explains that it was agreed upon that a group of men from the US would travel to Mexico to discuss and resolve all problems in question by both the US and Mexican Government.  The Americans were treated with respect in Vera Cruz but soon were turned away due to the revolutionary sentiment in Texas.  Just five days after the Americans had turned back, General Herrera gave up the presidency then and a military leader took control.  Polk then tried again and told his men to present their credentials and ask to be received by General Paredes.  The Mexican government had been completely transformed since it had been an abnormal succession.  Because of these changes the American men could not do anything and returned home.  The Government of Mexico therefore, had violated trust and refused to negotiate with men who were extremely ready to do so.  Polk then explained his placement of sufficient military force to defend Texas from Mexican invasion, since she had decided to annex herself into the US.  In 1836 Texas officially became a part of the Union and had control over the land between the Nueces and the Rio del Norte.  The southwestern border of Texas seemed vulnerable to attack so the Government established military stations and forces to protect this area.  The troops in this area were under direct orders to refrain from any aggressive actions towards the Mexican nation.  In March, 1837 the troops moved from Corpus Christi to the left bank of the Del Norte.  The General of the Mexican forces ordered that these American troops break up camp and when they refused, the Mexican forces attacked and caused a short battle in which men were killed and wounded.  Therefore, the Mexican government is obviously unwilling to enforce rules established by treaties pledging faith.  Because of these actions US commerce with Mexico came to an abrupt halt hurting both countries.  The US supported the Texans in their actions because they recognized Texas as an independent nation.  Because of the Mexican hostilities, the two countries are now at war; A war caused by acts of Mexico.

LAD #11

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

The women start by explaining that when a group feels entitled to a different role in society than they already possess it is their duty to explain the reasons for this change.  They go on to declare that all men AND WOMEN are created equal and add to that many of their unalienable rights.  Next they explain the ways that men have exercised unfair control over women with a list.

Women have...

• had no say in elections
• had to submit to laws they had no say in
• been withheld rights that even the most ignorant men have enjoyed
• had no representation and have been oppressed
• lost all civil dignity in marriage
• had no right to property
• been treated as if their husband is their master
• in divorce lost their children because of male supremacy
• if single, been forced to pay taxes to a government that does not recognize them
• been deprived of honorable and profitable careers
• been denied sufficient schooling
• been subordinate even in the church
• had to abide to a different set of morals from men
• been subject to men's control even when this control should come from God
• been destroyed in terms of confidence and respect by men

So the women resolve these problems with the following statements.

• Laws that put women in a position inferior to men have no authority
• God created women as equals to men and that shall be recognized
• Women should take charge of their own roles in the country
• Women should be recognized as morally superior and should have the right to preach
• The virtues and morals expected of women should also be expected of men
• It is the women's duty to secure themselves the right to vote
• Women and men will work together to secure rights for women

Therefore, since women were created with the same capabilities as man, they should enjoy the same rights and treatments as men.

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.