LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural

 http://evresourcesite.wikispaces.com/file/view/Jefferson_First_Inaug_2.jpg/241967218/Jefferson_First_Inaug_2.jpg

 

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural

 

Thomas Jefferson touches on multiple points in his first inaugural address. To begin, Jefferson thanks the citizens who supported him and acknowledges the responsibility the office of the president. He also reaches out to the other politicians in government, asking them for guidance throughout his term in office. He then goes on the acknowledge the complications of the election that put him in office, emphasizing the importance of sustained unity. Though he recognizes that their are different opinions among government officials, and that the the majority will make most decisions as it sees fit, he also states that the government must not forget the rights of the minority. He states that even though people have different opinions, their patriotic values unite them as one. Jefferson talks about the American value of liberty, and makes clear that the responsibility of government is to maintain that virtue for the people, leaving most of the power to them. He then lists his beliefs on the important issues he will base his presidency on, mentioning that it is important to uphold what the revolutionaries fought for. He finishes by asking for the continued support of the people, requesting that they are understanding of his mistakes and that they have faith in him throughout his term.

 

 

  http://teachingamericanhistory.org/wp-content/themes/tah-main/images/imported/ratification/federalist10.jpg

 

This speech reminded me of Federalist #10, which discusses the importance of unity and the threat of factions in the form of political parties. Though Jefferson is a member of a party himself, he also stresses the importance of unity and government for all, not just the majority.

Columbus Blog

http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2014/02/columbus-day-H.jpeg

 

Columbus Blog

 Christopher Columbus should not be considered a celebrated hero, deserving of a holiday in his name, but instead should be considered a villain for the atrocities he committed in the Americas. When Columbus first arrived in America, one of his first thoughts was that the Arawak Indians would make great slaves, which is telling of his character. The Arawaks were nothing but kind to Columbus and his men, but Columbus viewed them as his inferior. Columbus saw the generous nature of the natives and took advantage of it, thinking only of himself. When Columbus realized that the Indians would not survive as slaves in Spain, he decided to use them to find gold. Indians who failed to do so, were sentenced to death by having their hands cut off and then bleeding to death. This brutal form of punishment is absolutely disgusting, and it is only one of the crimes Columbus committed against the natives. He hunted down Indians that tried to escape and influenced the decision of many Arawak Indians to commit suicide. Columbus and his men degraded the Indians as well, forcing the Indians to carry them like mules. The Spanish tortured and killed the Indians for sport under Columbus, testing their weapons on them and beheading them for fun. The Indians were forced to do exhaustive labor, which split many families, killing many Indians in the process. The cruelty of Columbus eventually led to the genocide of the Arawak people. I find the actions of Christopher Columbus to be revolting and I believe he should be considered one of the world's worst villains, not one of the its greatest heroes.

http://thepapersofandrewjackson.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Jackson-Portrait.jpg

 

Columbus' treatment of the Arawak Indians reminded me of Andrew Jackson's decision to force the Cherokee Indians the march on the Trail of Tears. Many Indians died on this trip.