LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In this address, President Lincoln starts by talking about the south and the slaves within the south. He talks about how slave owners may feel threatened by having a republican president and how they may feel that their rights and his party will take over instead of what they want. But he says that he is not going to change the current state of slaves and that if a slave runs away into free territory, they are still a slave and must be returned to the owner of him. He says this since he believes in the constitution and since this is stated in it, that he will protect this. The next topic he talks about is how the union has been faced with the threat of breaking apart and the threat is worse than ever. He says that this is threatening the destory the union and this must not happen. Lincoln believes that since the union was created first, it is more important than the constitution and if there is an arguement threatening to break apart the union due to the consitution, than it must not be able to happen. Also that the union may not be destroyed only by the wishes of a group of states rather than majority. And that if this governement is hurting states and they want it changed, the only way to do this is through the amendment process. He ends by putting the future of the south with them since he says that he will only attack if they do first.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun Speech

This speech written by Calhoun was given by a senator because he was unable to make it due to being sick. In this speech he addressed the issue of slavery. The southern states had many reasons and wished to secede from the nation. The south believed that the not only pushed the issue of slavery down the southerner throats but had too much power over the government. The northern states would try to add as many states as they could to the union because they wanted to be able to gain the most representatives in the house as well as the Senate. This would give them a majority over the south and give them more influence in the government. This was one reason for the upset of the south but the main was still the issue of slavery.  Calhoun ends his speech by saying that the North would need to help please the south and give them equal say because if it came down to forcing the south to abolish slavery, they would clearly secede from the nation.

LAD # 12: Polks War Message

Polks War Message

This document deals with the relations between Mexico and the United States. The Unites States government has tried to settle disputes with the Mexicans on boundary issues and relations but the Mexican government refuses to listen. They had come into American territory and killed our people causing worse tensions as well. On October 13, 1845 America sent an envoy to Mexico to try to adjust all the disputes but this did not work for they could not come up with an agreement. Pol went into great detail about the envoy like the removal of the Vera Cruz, and other internal problems. Polk then talks about how the Mexicans had been planning to invade and one spot of this was Texas so in order to try and limit this and not allow then to attack, soilders were line up along the border. When the Mexicans attacked a group of soldiers looking out for the Mexicans along the Nueces River of the Texas- Mexican border, Polk stated that he knew he must declare war and so this document was used to ask the Congress to allow this war to happen to enable Polk to end the war as quickly as possible to try to create peace with Mexico by creating a large army which is what he believed would bring it to the end fastest. 

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

This document, written on July 19, 1848, is about women declaring their rights along side those of men. This document is the same basic structure of the Declaration of Independence and is like it in all ways except dealing with their information between them and their inferiority to men. First in this document, the beginning of the Declaration of Independence is put in but in the places where men was written the document has "men and women" showing how they believe women should have the same freedoms that men do. Next just as in the Declaration, there is a list of grievances by the women. This includes things like how women are lesser than men in marriages, property rights, roles outside the house, education, and how men destroy women's confidence and self respect in able to live dependent of men. After the many grievances, the document gives some solutions that the woman have come up with in order to solve this problem. Some include men encouraging woman to speak and teach, present new positions of opportunities and jobs, the right to elective franchise, the same responsibilities and capabilities as men, and for women to not be seen as inferior to men.

LAD #10: The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine

    This talks about the rights and interest both Russia and the United States have on the Northwest coast. One similar has also been sent to Britain. It then states that the land of the United States is free hence can and will not be colonized by any European power. The United States then talks about how they will not interfere in European Affairs unless the U.S. is directly affected or invaded and we need to take defense. And this invasion that the European Powers are doing to our portion of the hemisphere is invasive and dangerous to our people. Yet our policy will still remain the same, not to interfere with any other powers, make friendly relations, and having no wars.
     Although if other powers take over different areas and extend their political system over them, it my danger the United States' government and safety,  America still stands and believes not to interfere with other territories in hope that other powers will to so allow them to pursue their own type of government.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address:

Jefferson starts this with thanking everyone for electing him for this spot that is above his talents tand that he is very happy to help such a rising nation. Next he talks about how he hopes that with help from the people, legislation, and Constitution, they will grow strong and safe together. Jefferson talks about how everyone has a say in the nation, even the minority and that sticking together will make unify together. He also believes we are not involved in foreign affairs enough and that following the ideas set by people before us like freedoms, and the constitution should be our steps and guide to how to form and create the empire that is able to protect the people but provide an economy at the same time. Jefferson also talks about the civil rights of people under this government and this favors many of the people of the United States. Jefferson ends his address by saying that he will advance for the good of the people and when the time comes to need new power, he will give up his for peace and prosperity or the country as a whole.

Colombus Blog #8

Should Christopher Columbus be considered a hero or villain?

Although Columbus was given credit for many marvelous things that changed out world, he is not the hero he is put out to being. He is both a hero and a villain, yet he is more of a villain due to the credit he takes and actions he takes toward others. When Columbus and his crew set out for America, it was said that the first man to spot land would be awarded a yearly pension of 10,000 maravedis for life. But Columbus took this award from another man by the name of Rodrigo whom actually spotted the land while Columbus claimed he saw it and took credit for it. But there is more that Columbus did that showed his bad side. For when he arrived in the Americas, he immediately treated the natives like they were nothing. He just used them for information and his benefit. He took advantage of how open and willing to help and be there for these new "gods" the natives were to him and his people. He used these people for their gold, slaves, and took whatever he wanted from them. But this area was not filled with gold like was hoped so many of these natives were killed by the Spanish since they could not provide the Spanish the amount of gold they wanted. In two years, half the population of the native Indians on Haiti were dead. But even killing and taking advantage of them was not enough. When these Spanish people got tired they would make an Indian carry them to where they wanted to go, they would kill the Indians for fun and games. Then new families would not be created because husbands and wives would be separated for months at a time and when they were together they would be so tired from the work the Spanish made them do that they would not have more children, and the lack of necessities also made it so  that the kids that were born, were not as strong as most. Although people may see Columbus as a great seaman, or the one who discovered America, in the end, he was just one man obsessed with gold and money and would do whatever he could to get this and make his life happier and easier. Because of the glory he got, the deaths and awful ways he put the Indians through get over looked but not to people who truly know. Columbus is not necessarily the man told to be.