Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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.
Monday, September 28, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, September 21, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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