LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Emancipation_Proclamation.jpg/594px-Emancipation_Proclamation.jpg

LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation begins by stating that the slaves in the rebellious states are all free, as of January 1st, 1863, and that the U.S. Government will recognize and assist slaves in gaining that freedom. It also asserts that states in rebellion will be given representation in Congress, and at that action, will no longer be considered in rebellion. Lincoln then lists the Confederate states and writes that all other states will not be affected by the proclamation. He finishes by stating that all freed slaves should to commit violent acts, that they will be accepted in the military, and that the proclamation is legal by "military necessity."

 http://www.americanussr.com/images/japanese-camps.png

This reminds me of the Japanese Camps of WWII because FDR issued them a military necessity, even though they were unconstitutional. 

LAD #19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural

http://www.studenthandouts.com/01-Web-Pages/01-Picture-Pages/Abraham-Lincoln/Abraham-Lincoln-Second-Inaugural-Address-1865.jpg

LAD #19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural

Lincoln begins his Second Inaugural Address by stating that he does not find it important to give a long detailed speech on a plan for the future or present new information, given the state of the nation and the information the public knew about the war. Lincoln says that at his last speech, everyone wanted to avoid war, but the opposing sides both were willing to endure war to achieve their goals, and therefore, war came. Lincoln then begins to discuss the issue of slavery, which was the cause of the war. He mentions how the South wanted to extend slavery, while the North wanted to confine it. He also states that no one expected that the war would take as long as it had so far taken. Finally, Lincoln begins to discuss God, and how neither sides prayers have fully been answered. He quotes scripture, and essentially says that the war is punishment for the crime of slavery, and that though he prays for the end of the war, whatever happens is just punishment. He then concludes by asking his fellow countrymen to help the nation heal by finishing the job.

 Lincoln's request for help in finishing the job reminds me of his Gettysburg Address, where he asks the people to help make sure that the soldiers did not die in vain.
  

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

http://hinterlandgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dred-scott1.png

 

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

 The decision opens by discussing the reason for which Chief Justice Taney had to rewrite the majority decision. It then states that President Buchanan supported the power of the Supreme Court to make this decision on the issues of slavery with regards to new territory. In Taney's decision, he first states that African-Americans are not American citizens, and therefore, Dred Scott did not even have the right to sue in court. Taney then asserts that under the Fifth Amendment, all Americans have the right to life, liberty, and property, and that therefore, in would be unconstitutional if a citizen lost his property, simply because he brought it into a new region. For this reason, he declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. He also declared that Scott was not free because he filed his lawsuit in a slave state. 

 

 

http://admin.bhbl.neric.org/~mmosall/ushistory/topics/Caning%20of%20Charles%20Sumner.jpg

 

This decision reminded me of the caning of Charles Sumner and the issues in Kansas because states could now choose slave or free. This was because the Missouri Compromise was declared unconstitutional in this decision.

LAD #17: Ain't I a Woman

http://a3.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,h_1200,q_80,w_1200/MTE1ODA0OTcxODA3OTY2NzMz.jpg

 

LAD #17: Ain't I a Woman

 

Truth's speech is about women's rights and women's equality. Using her experience as a slave, Truth proves that women are just as capable of men and that they don't need to "be helped into carriages." She discusses how she has done the same work as men and born the same punishment as men. She also attacks the claim that women are not men's equal because Jesus was a man. She states that Jesus came from God and a woman and that men played no role in that whatsoever. She also empowers women by stating that if Eve can "turn the world upside down," then women can "turn it back." Her speech is a very concise, yet powerful argument for women's equality.

http://starschanges.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/hillary-clinton-hair-celebrity-hair-changes-4-1.jpg

 

This speech reminded me of Hillary Clinton, who showed another thing that women could do in running for president and winning the Democratic nomination, something I'm sure Soujourner Truth would have been proud of.

LAD #16: Frederick Douglass Speech

http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/frederick-douglass-4.jpg

LAD #16: Frederick Douglass Speech

Douglass' speech is about Independence Day and the American liberties that it celebrates from the perspective of African-Americans and African-American slaves. Douglass states that African-Americans do not share in the celebration of American Independence because the freedoms that were won for white people on that day are also not shared. Douglass declares that Independence Day actually only sheds light on the massive gap between white people and black people in America. The crimes against and the enslavement of African-Americans only seems worse on Independence Day, according to Douglass. He even goes as far as to state that it is sinful to celebrate American Independence because it means forgetting the suffering of so many African-American slaves. Douglass makes clear that by continuing slavery, America is trampling on the ideals it holds dear. Douglass then proves that African-Americans are "equal in manhood," as they are capable of all that white men are. Next, Douglass lists some of the crimes against slaves and states that he should not have to argue that this is wrong, implying his belief that it is obvious that the injustices done to African-Americans are wrong. Douglass concludes by saying that, to a slave, Independence Day only shows the hypocrisy of Americans and that there is no other country that is even close to as vile and disgusting as America.

 http://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Martin-Luther-King-Jr.jpg

This speech reminded me of Martin Luther King Jr. because MLK continued the fight of Frederick Douglass, a fight to gain equality for African-Americans.

 

LAD #15: Gettysburg Address

https://gettysburg150concerts.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/gettysburg-address2.jpg

LAD #15: Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address is in essence an eulogy for the men who died at the Battle of Gettysburg. In the speech, Lincoln talked about the cause of the men who fought, and how they fought for a country in which "all men are created equal." He then continued to say that nothing that they do to memorialize the battle, meaning those there to honor the dead, will compare to the soldiers actions. Lincoln then finished the speech powerfully, stating that it is their job to do all they can to make sure that those brave soldiers did not die in vain. According to Lincoln, it was imperative that they finish the job.

http://www.civilwar.org/photos/galleries/appomattox-court-house/images/last-salute.jpg

 

This reminded me of the surrender at Appomattox because this was where the Union's victory was finalized, representing the completion of the job and ensuring that the dead did not die in vain.

 

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/content-images/01264p1.jpg

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln did not mince words in his First Inaugural Address and got straight to the point. He opened by addressing the fears the southern states have about him becoming president. He attempted to quell their fears by quoting himself saying that he did not intend to abolish slavery in the southern states. Lincoln wanted to show the southerners that he was not going to infringe on their rights and that he was going to treat them equally. After this, Lincoln discussed the issue of runaway slaves in the North. Lincoln stated that Americans and Congress should abide by the laws of the Constitution, which makes clear that slaves must be returned and freemen must remain freemen. Lincoln then discussed the unity of America. He stated that if followed, the Constitution would keep the United States united forever, unless the government allows individual parts of the nation to destroy the unity. Therefore, Lincoln made clear that it was his responsibility to do what is necessary to preserve the nation's unity. Lincoln said that he does not want to have to use force and that he will need to collect taxes, but will not try to in rebellious areas of the country. After this, he almost makes a final plea to the South to reconsider. It is emphasized that no constitutional rights were ever violated. Lincoln states that the two regions should not separate because they will always have to deal with each other, and these interactions would be even harder as "aliens." He then continued that it would be much better for the South to attempt an amendment to the Constitution and that patience is all the South needed because what was meant to happen would in the end. Lincoln concludes in peace, saying that he will not do anything to force the issue of civil war and that he believes it is better for all Americans to remain comrades not enemies. He left the issue in the hands of the people.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Washington%27s_Farewell_Address.jpg

This reminded me of Washington's Farewell Address because Washington makes clear in this speech that he believes the different regions of the U.S. must remain friendly and united, a belief the Lincoln shares.

 

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

http://northalc.wikispaces.com/file/view/imageR3V.JPG/70430753/540x430/imageR3V.JPG

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun's Speech was about the disunity the issue of slavery in America caused, how it developed, and how the union could be preserved. Calhoun then states that the disunity was a result of the frustration of the southern states, but that it was not incited by southern politicians, but rather that the politicians tried to keep the people of the south at bay, as they were the ones that were the most upset. He then questions why the people of the South did not think they could remain a part of the U.S. He says it was a result of both the anti-slavery actions of the North and the power imbalance between the two regions that favored the North. He says the real problem was the laws passed by the government to end the balance of power. These include territorial legislation that added territory to the North and not the South, and the use of southern tax money for the North. Calhoun asserts that the North has gotten an unfair amount of territory. He also says that the South had been unfairly taxed and that the money had gone to the North, which had increased the number of people moving to the North, increasing their population. He continues to state that the South could do nothing because the North controlled all parts of government as a result of their increased territory and population. Calhoun also addresses that the North considered slavery to be a sin and therefore, tried to destroy it, while the South tried to save it. In order to save the Union, Calhoun says that the North would need to fix the imbalance of power, satisfying the South. He says that they should not try to get the South to sacrifice anything because they had already sacrificed a lot. He then tells the North that they have the power to do their duty and save the Union, but that only they can do it. He concludes by stating that if they do nothing, the South will be forced to secede.

 http://www.skylinenation.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Civil_War-6.jpg

This document foreshadows the Civil War, in which the South seceded. Calhoun would argue that they were forced to do so because the North did nothing to fix the power imbalance between the regions.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/51/d5/e6/51d5e68b232bf07d56f35d6f31dc2969.jpg

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

 Polk begins his message to Congress by discussing the attempts of the the U.S. Government to begin diplomatic relations with the Mexican Government. Polk states that the Mexican Government was asked to receive an American envoy to discuss the issues between the nations and the territorial disputes. However, the Mexican's changed their minds and five days later that government changed hands. The new government also refused to talk with the American envoy. According to Polk, the American's did everything in their power to satisfy the diplomatic needs of the Mexican's and that it was very disrespectful of the Mexican's to break their agreement. Polk also states that at this point Texas had decided to become part of the Union and that this had been approved by Congress. He then asserts that it is the government's responsibility to now protect the Texans. They were at this point threatened by Mexican invasion for annexing to the United States. Troops were then positioned in Texas and told not to engage with the Mexicans unless attacked, and the Mexicans attacked on April 24th. Polk then states that the United States did all it could to avoid war, but now it is the government's responsibility to do what is best for its people.

  http://core.ecu.edu/hist/zipfk/xyzaffair.jpg

This document reminded me of the XYZ Affair because that was another scenario in which American diplomats were refused by a foreign country.

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/6231650277_cd3872fc4d_z.jpg

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

The Seneca Falls Declaration was written by women seeking equality, and they modeled the document on the Declaration of Independence which also asserted a people's rights and responsibilities regarding their rights. The Declaration stated that women have certain unalienable rights and that it is their duty to make sure that the government protects and upholds those rights. It then goes on to list some of the grievances of the government against women. Some of these grievances include not being given the right to vote and the lack of a voice in government. It also refers to the inequality of rights between men and women, and the requirement that wives be obedient to their husbands to the point that they are essentially property. They also write about the women's loss of rights to property when they marry and the lack of jobs or education available to women. The women then continue to propose solution to the issues. These include the assertion that women are men's equal and that any laws that say otherwise should be fixed. It states that women should not stand by idly and that they should instead do something about it. It states that women should be able to vote and participate in government, that they should have equal career and religious opportunities, and that men should be held to the same standards as women. 

  http://theblemish.com/images/2016/11/susan-b-anthony-grave.jpg

This document reminded me of the huge number of people who went to the Susan B. Anthony's grave on Election Day because Hillary could have been the first female president, something that Susan B. Anthony fought to give women the right to do.

LAD #10: Monroe Doctrine

http://store.ushistory.org/products/product-images/monroe-doc.jpg

 

 

LAD #10: Monroe Doctrine

 

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

 

The issuing of the Monroe Doctrine expressed that the American government would not tolerate any other foreign powers interfering or oppressing them. In asserted that America would not allow any foreign country to endanger their security and independence, and that included colonizing any territory on the North American continent.

 

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

 

Adams most likely hoped that by writing the Monroe Doctrine, that he would make clear to all other nations that the United States would not allow anyone to infringe on their safety and liberty. He also hoped to make clear that the United States would at no point, unless that ideals of the government were to change, infringe on the independence or freedom of any other independent nation. Overall, Adams wanted to emphasize that America would continue their policy of neutrality in regard to foreign conflicts, hoping to maintain peace, however, they would not stand by if foreign countries did anything that could affect America.

 

3.  What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone or American Foreign Policy?

 

The phase and ideal that was repeated throughout the document was that of maintaining neutrality with regard to foreign issues that did not directly involve or threaten the United States. This policy was first put in place by George Washington, and the Monroe Doctrine confirmed that America planned to continue to abide by it.

 

http://www.varsitytutors.com/images/earlyamerica/article.jpg

 

The Monroe Doctrine reminded me of Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality because it states that the government will continue this policy, but it adds on to it, stating that the United States will not let other countries infringe on America's rights.