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.