LAD #21 Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Carnegie starts off by saying that the problem of his age was the administration of wealth in society. He states that in earlier times, the distribution of wealth was more even compared to now. He says this change came with the evolving of civilization. This change, he says, is not a bad thing though because there needs to be homes full of art, literature, and other "refinements of civilization". If we went back to our old ways without those refinements of civilization, then it would sweep away civilization with it. Carnegie goes on to say that his wealth will not sit in a bank for hundreds of years, but will be spent on the community. This money in the community would be "required for the comfortable maintenance and education of families". He says the money of rich folks can be saved away for years to come, or it can be spent on the public, for the public. Carnegie wanted his money not only to be left to his family, but the whole city of Pittsburgh. He says that a man who leaves his money to the public after his death is just trying to dispose of it. Carnegie thinks a man should not wait till his death to bring some good in the world. He states that the country will benefit for having only a few men holding a majority of the countries money because they will spend it on public purposes. It is the duty of the wealthy, he states, "to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him".

LAD #20 Sojourner Truth Aint I a Woman Speech

Sojourner Truth, an African American women, delievered her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. She starts off by saying that men think women "need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and have the best place everywhere." She basically says that no one ever did any of those things for her and yet she is a woman. She has done man's work on farms, yet she is still a woman. She could eat as much as a man and seen almost all of her thirteen children sold away off into slavery, yet she is a woman. She then asks why women and negro's rights have to do with intellect. She thinks that men do not give women rights because Christ was a man, not a woman. Truth closes her speech with the remark that man was created by God and a women, so women should be respected.

LAD #19 5th of July Speech

On July 5th, 1852, Frederick Douglas spoke to a crowd in Rochester, New York explaining what the fourth of July meant to a slave. At first, Douglas asked the crowd why "the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to (the blacks)?" Douglas then goes on to say that there was an "immeasurable distance" between him and the whites. This difference was the fact that white people had inherited justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence from their fore founders. Douglas, however, did not inherit any of these virtues from the War of Independence. That is why, he says, "This fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." He later goes on to say that he represents the black slaves and will not "hesitate to declare with all (his) soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to (him) than on (that) Fourth of July". Douglas says the nation "is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future." He proves that the black man is the same as a white man and they very similar. At the end of his speech, he answers his own question of what is the fourth of July to the American slave by saying that it is a day of "gross injustice" and "hollow mockery" to black slaves.

LAD #18 Emancipation Proclamation

As of January 1st, 1863, "all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State" were to be free. The slaves that were to be freed were guaranteed their independence and safety by "the Executive Government of the United States, including military and naval authority". Abe Lincoln even lists the states where they may rebel against the release of their slaves, such as Arkanas, Texas Louisana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. The slaves in these states were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation and the United States government would protect their rights. Although Lincoln warns the people to "abstain from all violence, unless in the necessary self-defense" and to "labor faithfully for reasonable wages". He also adds that now the slaves are free, they have a duty to perform as citizens of the nation. Lincoln concludes that the Proclamation will need the cooperation of everyone so it will follow through.

LAD #16 Lincoln's Second Inaugural

The opening to Lincoln's Address states that he does not have much to present to the American people. He says that the issues of the nation are already widely known so it would make little difference if he were to reiterate all his views that he has already during his first term. In his speech he reminds the people that only four years ago, the attention of the nation was "anxiously directed to an impending civil war". "Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war became." He said that one eighth of the American population was composed of slaves and their desire for freedom tore the nation in two. He illustrates the horrors of civil war, but he ends his speech with a unifying burst of patriotism. " With malice toward none, with charity for all, with the firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." The time has come for unity for the United States.

LAD# 16 Dred Scott Desicion

The Dred Scott Case decision deals with the issues of "Negro citizenship and the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise". Chief Justice Taney believe that blacks were not eligible to sue in the court of the United States in "the cases specified by the Constitution". Taney believed that "even free Negroes, were not citizens of the United States, and that therefore, Scott, as a Negro, did not even have the privilege of being able to sue in a federal court". In regards to the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise, he stated that all citizens within certain territories could not be denied the rights and protection of the Constitution. Meaning there was "no distinction between the slaves and other types of property". That means that slaves were the property of there masters. "The Missouri Compromise deprived slaveholding citizens of their property of their slaves and that therefore was unconstitutional" because "Scott had brought suit in Missouri and hence he was still a slave because Missouri was a slave state." The case was later dismissed for lack of jurisdiction and Scott remained a slave.

LAD #15 Lincoln's First Inaugural

From the very beginning of Lincoln’s inaugural speech, he states that he has no intentions “to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States”. He means he respects the rights of the states to regulate slavery within their own borders. He strongly believes that it is the most important thing is to keep the union in one piece. Lincoln also promises the American citizens that their “property, peace, and security of no section are to be in any wise endangered by” his election and “the now incoming Administration”. Going back to his ultimate goal of preserving the union, Lincoln states that he “holds that in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution the Union of these States is perpetual”. Lincoln also promises the citizens that the use of unnecessary violence and force will be prohibited. “In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence, and there shall be none unless it is forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere.” Lincoln guarantees security and protection under his administration. In regards to the issue of slavery, Lincoln keeps his opinions neutral in his first inaugural speech. He simply claims that the American constitution neither allows nor prohibits it. He also warns the territories and states about secession saying “Plainly the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy”. The very end of Lincoln’s speech tries to inspire American patriotism: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

LAD #14 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

At the beginning of the speech, Abe Lincoln reminds the crowd that not long ago our founding fathers developed a new nation based on liberty and freedom. He then states that the Civil War is a test to see if this nation can endure a war or not. Lincoln then says that he is dedicating a piece of the Gettysburg battlefield to act as a graveyard for those men who fought to preserve that nation. He next goes into detail, saying, "The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract". This means that the men who died serving their country have made the battlefield their own memorial by making the ultimate sacrifice. Lincoln closes the short speech by saying that the men who died will not have died in vain. That they died for a "nation, under God, (that) shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

LAD # 13 John C. Calhoun

Calhoun address the issue of slavery that divided the nation to the point were it was no longer an issue that could be ignored, or solved with several compromises. He believed “that the agitation of the subject of slavery would”, could potentially, “end in disunion.” Whether a state would be free or slave when entered into the union was also an issue of conflict between the North and the South. Neither wanted the other to have the majority in the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Electoral College. Calhoun argued that as a result of the unequal balance of government “the South has been excluded from the common territory belonging to all the States as members of the federal Union” and they have been burdened by “a system of revenue and disbursements by which an undue proportion of the burden of taxation has been imposed upon the South, and an undue proportion of its proceeds appropriated to the North”. He also talks about the “unequal system of revenue and disbursements” only contributes to the economic prosperity of manufacturers in the North. Because so much wealth was concentrated in the North, the population of the region increased by attracting citizens and immigrants; this gives the North an unfair advantages and benefits that the South in unable to acquire.

LAD #12 Polk's War Message

Polk addresses the “wrongs and injuries committed by the Mexican Government on citizens of the United States in their persons and property were briefly set forth.” Despite American efforts to make peace, the Mexican government ahs been uncompromising and uncooperative; they invaded American territories and attacked American citizens. Trade with Mexico has also been “annihilated”. The American authorities had continued to attempt to maintain strong relations with Mexico but they continued to be met with resistance. Mexico also threatened to declare war upon the states if they were to annex Texas. Volunteers from Texas, “Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky” were also recruited to prevent Mexican invasion. “After the incorporation of "Texas into our Union of States, General Taylor was further authorized by the President to make a requisition upon the executive of that state for such of its militia force as may be needed to repel invasion or to secure the country against apprehended invasion.” “In further vindication of our rights and defense of our territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to recognize the existence of the war, and to place at the disposition of the Executive the means of prosecuting the war with vigor, and thus hastening the restoration of peace.” Polk’s is requesting that the American government take a stand against Mexican hostility and invasion of American territories. His goal was to end all disputes with the neighboring nation and to restore peace and trade.

LAD # 11 Seneca Falls Convention

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions' format mimics that of the Declaration of Independence, written seventy two years earlier by the Founding Fathers. The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions consists of two parts, the declaration of sentiments and resolutions. The first part illustrates the many grievances the women have toward the way the country is treating them, similar of how the Declaration of Independence. For example, one grievance states, "He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice". This grievance says that the women are forced to submit to laws without having a voice, mirroring the once well-known chant of the American colonists, 'Taxation without Representation'. Another grievance states that "He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns". This would be going against the liberty and freedom of the people of the United States. The second part shows the opposition the possible solutions to create an equal country for white men and women. The women said "That woman is man's equal— was intended to be so by the Creator, and the highest good of the race demands that she should be recognized as such." The women wrote this document to declare their freedoms based on the the format of the Declaration of Independence.

LAD #10; Monore Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine establishes “that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” This means that no European power shall come to North America to colonize. The Monroe Doctrine also stated that existing colonies under countries such as Spain and Portugal must improve the conditions in where the colonists live. The United States wanted to protect smaller nation's freedom and independence, but really the main reason they wanted this was to limit the expanision of European powers on America's side of the Atlantic. It is also stated that the United States will continue to remain neutral unless “our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense.” Essentially, the Monore Doctrine re-establishes a policy of neutrality in international affairs. Although it also warns the European powers that infringement upon American land and rights will not be tolerated.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Thomas Jefferson's first Inaugural Address was, according to The American Pageant, "a classic statement of democratic principles". Jefferson explained modestly in the beginning of the speech that the power is for the people. He refers to the Constitution at points, encouraging the people to "unite in common efforts for the common good". Jefferson also explains that "The will of the majority is in all cases to prevail", but he also guarantees that "minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression". Jefferson also inspired a sense of patriotism among the audience when he said "I believe this...the strongest Government on earth. I believe it the only one where every man, at the call of the law, would fly to the standard of the law, and would meet invasions of the public order as his own personal concern." At the end of the speech, Jefferson asks for the help of the people of the nation by stating, "I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make. And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity".

Christopher Columbus; Hero or Villian?

Any elementary or middle school student knows that they have a long weekend because a Spaniard named Christopher Columbus in 1492 sailed the ocean blue. But what the schools lack to teach the students is that he was an arrogant man, thinking that he had the right to almost exterminate the Arawak race so he could be the hero on his return voyage to Spain. In Howard Zinn's bestseller, A People's History of the United States, he brings up the point that most Americans just accept the fact that Christopher Columbus murdered thousands of innocent natives for the name of progress. People can argue, saying that Columbus needed control of the lands and people he was conquering so he can achieve his goal of finding gold and receiving fame. But Columbus' total control over the native people led to total cruelty. One Spaniard wrote of the cruelties of Columbus' men, "two of these so-called Christians met two Indian boys one day, each carrying a parrot; they took the parrots and for fun beheaded the boys". Although this was not Columbus personally cutting off the boy's heads, the soldier's actions were probably reflected on the thoughts or own actions of their leader. Columbus treated the natives as an inferior race since they had no religion or few advancements in technology. He forced them to search endlessly for gold, though there was barely any to begin with. Zinn explains that Columbus cut off the hands of natives who did not find any gold or they were shipped back to Spain as slaves. Christopher Columbus, a celebrated explorer because he found the New World, should have his holiday removed from the calender for his horrid crimes.

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

Henry Cabot Lodge, referring to George Washington's Farewell Address, said"...no man ever left a nobler political testament." Not only did Washington tell the new nation that he was stepping down from his position in government in this address, he stated his views one last time before he left back to Mount Vernon for good. Although he was against political parties in government, his views leaned towards the Federals' ideas. For example, he talks about the benefits of having a central government. He wants the states together under one federal government, while local state governments also exist. Washington wanted a even fifty fifty split in power in the government, half for state government and half for federal government. In his address, the most important topic I think is the emphasis that Washington makes on the topic of war. He does not want the nation to form permanent alliances with other countries. Also, he does not want the military to have too much power and take over the government. He wrote this important document to warn the people to avoid war at all cost.

LAD # 6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

In the first paragraph, George Washington basically says that the United States should stay peaceful ''...toward the belligerant Powers" of the world. Washington says it is the duty and best interest for the new nation to do so. Meaning, the nation will not pick any fights with the very strong nations in the world and will stay neutral on their half of the world. Washington then goes on to say in the next paragraph that the nation should not anger the powerful countries and warns the citizens to avoid conflicts with other countries. If any citizens do anything to anger the powerful countries, the United States will not protect them and will have to face the laws of the other nation.

The Federalist #10

1) The factions, citizens with interests that infer with other people's rights and the right of the nation, are difficult to eliminate because they may be passionate about what they are fighting for. James Madison thinks people fighting for their interests will unite together, making them hard to take down.

2) Madison advocated representative democracy, not direct democracy, because this will limit the number of factions that can participate in government. Men who would be representing the government would make their decisions based on the good of the nation, not for the benefits for themselves. Although this method was better than direct democracy, it was far from flawless.

Blog #4 Revolution Article

1) The Civil War is more attractive and well-known than any other war the United States participated in, including the War of Independence. The Civil War not only draws attention because of the 620,000 causalities, the war lures historians by the incredible amount of first person accounts from soldiers who fought in the battles by the form of personal letters and photographs.

2) In the Civil War, names most people remember have to do with the actually fighting (Nathanial Banks, William T. Sherman, Robert E. Lee); the Revolutionary Wars' leaders were all political leaders like John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Patrick Henry. The Revolutionary War was more of political fight than the Civil War, which was more of a physical fight.

3) Diseases spent through camps during the Revolutionary War, similar to the Civil War. The disease during the the War of Independence impacted many citizens not even on the battle fronts. Diseases spread from the army's camps to the small, neighboring towns and many civilians died.

4) British troops conducted raids along the east coast in towns of innocent citizens where they were shot without mercy. They pillaged plantations including Mount Vernon, destroyed businesses, and burned houses. In the Civil War, only one half of one percent of the civilian population died.

5) Loyalists were not given their land back lost when they fled the war, unlike the South in the Civil War who got their land back.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

1) Thomas Jefferson wrote the first section of the the Declaration of Independence so the citizens know that the purpose of the government is for upholding the rights of the people. Basic democratic principles the people have are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (natural born rights). Jefferson is basically saying in the first section that if the government does not give the citizens their "certain alienable rights", the people of that country have the right to abolish it and start a new government based on those principles.

2) The writers of the Declaration of Independence had many grievances against King George III. For example, the colonists were mad about "cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; For imposing taxes on us without our consent; For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury; For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offenses;..." These examples that the colonists portrayed in the declaration showed exactly what they were mad about.

3) The colonial leaders explained in the last section of the declaration that England is not letting the colonists keep their natural rights and therefore, must split into independent states. The leaders state "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES;". The colonial leaders then severed themselves from England by signing on the bottom.

Peter Zenger

1) Peter Zenger was a publisher who spoke up against the colonial governor of New York, William Cosby, in the New York Weekly Journal. Moving to the colony of New York from Germany in 1710, Zenger was hired by a wealthy opposition group to criticize the new colonial governor because of the removal of Chief Justice Lewis Morris and other events. Zenger was later arrested and charged with "seditious libel". His lawyer, Alexander Hamilton, represented Zenger in court and the jury found him not guilty.

2) Alexander Hamilton, Zenger's lawyer, did say that his client's newspaper was offending to certain individuals. Although, Hamilton was saying that his client could not be charged for being libel unless his information he was publishing was proved false. He told the jury directly that unless the prosecution had evidence, there is no way Zenger could be charged for being libel.

3) In most countries, when citizens spoke out against a powerful official, there were severe punishments. In the colonies, if the information was true, the publishers could criticize the officials without being punished. This was an enormous victory for the right of freedom of the press.

4) From that point on, a publisher could print out a journal or newspaper criticizing their officials without being punished. This lead to criticism in papers in future papers protesting laws or acts forced upon the colonies by Great Britain and other events. All and all, this led the freedom of the press, one of the many freedoms in the present day United States.

Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of CT

1) A concept that is evident in the Mayflower Compact state that the new colonists will "enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers...". In essence, this document means that they wanted to establish a colony where there was an equality of laws, leadership, and some sort of a structure of government.

2) The Mayflower Compact shows its existing attachment to the "Old" world by stating themselves as "loyal subjects" to Lord King James. They also showed their attachment to the "Old" world by still honoring their God. In the "New" world, they established a government with a sense of freedom.

3) The Mayflower Compact differs from the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut because the orders were more precise than the compact. These orders were more probably enforced because the laws were "Ordered, sentenced, and decreed". The orders were more drawn out and no where in the orders did the people say they were subjects of the king.

4) The people created these orders to maintain the peace in the colony. Also, it was to create a "union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established according to God...". Furthermore, the orders were created for the purpose of settling the people's problems.

5) The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut limited the length of an elected official can serve. The establishment of standing courts and oaths showed the fear against the uprising of power of one individuals. Moreover, the checking of qualifications of elected officials was put in place and the calling of town meetings showed the fear in the colonists.

Hello