LAD #21: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie was a very successful business man, earning his wealth from his investments in the steel industry. He came up with the concept of the "Gospel of Wealth," defining how a capitalistic society is beneficial for big businesses. Carnegie gave to many charities, especially libraries. He asserts that it is important that there are people who are wealthier than others. This allows for the patronage of the arts that can help to advance society. He also states that all men should reach for wealth, despite only some actually achieving it. Carnegie discusses the different ways wealth can be divided in a society, including the idea of inheritance, often used in European societies, and the idea of leaving money at death for public use. He argues that taxing one's wealth after death is beneficial to society because it prevents men from hoarding wealth throughout their lives, since money is best used to aid society than to be hoarded. Finally, Carnegie claims that spending one's wealth on productive items is the best way to disperse one's wealth. By spreading money to different people in society, one can help society immensely.

LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation is split into two parts, the first being the idea that any slaves currently under ownership in the South are now "forever free" by the Union. These slaves will be respected and held in this role by military personnel. Secondly, the Emancipation Proclamation lists off the states in which this declaration applies. The states include Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Some regions in Louisiana and Virginia do not have to comply with the proclamation. Lincoln states that in these listed territories, slaves are completely free from labor altogether. The slaves will have their complete rights maintained in the North.

LAD #19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

At the start of his Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln states that this one will be a shorter and more concise speech, more so than his first address. Lincoln states that the events that our nation has encountered create a plan for Lincoln that outlines both the future and the current situation. Lincoln announces that he has no prediction on how the war will end, and has no idea what will happen. He goes back to his first Inaugural Address in which he state that he wished to avoid war at all costs, in order to preserve the Union. Now, the Confederates are seeking to destroy the Union through war, while the Northerners are helping to preserve the Union through the same war. The issue of the slavery and its territorial expansion was a major contributor to the war, and the South's primary reason for war. Both Northerners and Southerners are all Americans of the same God, yet each side invokes God's will against the other. Lincoln continues to speak about God's plan. He states that no matter what the plan is, the war will be finished. Lincoln plans on patching up the segregated Union and repairing it from the destruction and secession.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

At the first Court reargument meeting for Scott v Sanford, a moderate decision was made in favor of Sanford, but they did not consider or discuss the larger issues of African American citizenship and the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise. The Court ended up placing Roger Taney in charge of writing, representing a true majority opinion for the Court and considering all of the larger issues in this case. Taney first addressed African American citizenship, including that of slaves and free blacks, stating that blacks, even free men, were not citizens of the United States. Not being citizens, they ware unable to sue in a federal court, making the court case unconstitutional. He then turned to the Missouri Compromise, stating that the federal government could not deny liberty and property in the Louisiana Purchase territories. This  make the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional as well. Finally, Taney decided that Dred Scott was not a free man, ruling that the freedom of a slave is commanded by the state he brought suit in, which was the slave state Missouri. In the end, the court upheld the Missouri Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Sanford.

LAD #17: Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman"

Sojourner Truth begins her "Ain't I a Woman" speech by stating that those in the North will have many important decisions to make because of the issue of slavery in South and the increasing women's rights movements. She says that even though men insist that women help them, women don't receive any help from men. Truth states that her, and all other women, work just as hard as men. They eat just as much and get beaten the same, yet they receive none of the help or benefits that men receive. Truth moves on to say that the level of intelligence of an individual does not change their basic human rights, regardless of skin color of sex. She also argues with religious officials who interpret the bible by saying women are inferior just because Jesus is a man. Truth knows that Christ came from God and a woman, so man has nothing to do with Christ. Finally, Sojourner Truth states that if God can create a woman who can turn the world upside down, than the union of women should have the same right to do so, without the interference of men.

LAD #16: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July"

On July 4th of 1852, Frederick Douglass gave a speech in Rochester on the celebration of American Independence Day. In this speech, Douglass questions the accuracy of the Declaration of Independence and the actual freedoms and liberties that all Americans should have. There is one group of people not included in the July 4th celebrations because they do not share in the rights and liberties all other Americans do: African Americans. Because of this situation, Douglass claims the 4th of July to be a mockery. He goes on to denounce slavery and all its principles, naming it the greatest sin of all time in the name of humanity, the Constitution, and the Bible. Douglass says "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse…," "...I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just." For those in the black community, including Douglasss, July 4th is celebrated to hide the awful crimes that this country had committed. According to Douglass, the nationalistic feelings and exciting events are used to camouflage the crimes that America is more guilty of than any other country in the world. Even so, Douglass hopes that, eventually, the United States will outlaw slavery. He believes the democratic principles found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will aid in this process.

LAD #15: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Lincoln presents his Gettysburg Address after the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. He states that the United States was founded on the idea of equality. He goes on to discuss the challenge the nation faces while being in the middle of the awful Civil War. He acknowledges all the soldiers who fought in the war, but specifically those who fought at Gettysburg. Lincoln states that what he says about the soldiers on that day is of little significance, but the actions and fighting that the soldiers did for our nation is of the utmost importance and bravery. Finally, he talks about how the United States cannot let the deaths of these soldiers go in vain, and that we must honor their sacrifices. If we do this, the Untied States will become a country of equality and freedom, exactly what it was founded upon.

LAD #14: Lincoln's 1st Inaugural

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address is mostly about slavery. He states that he did not want to get involved with slavery at all. His main goal was to keep the Union united, so he had no intention of legalizing or abolishing slavery. Lincoln continues on to state that allowing the States to choose between becoming a slave or a free state has kept a balance in the government, including the Senate and a balance a power between the State and Federal governments. He addresses the fact that the US being divided on the topic of slavery is very dangerous. He makes it very clear that his goal is to keep the States united and content, no matter how the issue of slavery plays out. Finally, he reassures the Americans that their neighbors are all their friends and not enemies, the opposite of popular belief at that time. 

LAD #13: Calhoun

Calhoun begins his speech by touching on the causes of the current sectionalist issues. He begins with slavery, stating that it has caused great tensions and will ultimately result in the disunity of America if it isn't dealt with. Since the number of Northern states was increasing, there was an imbalance in the Senate. The government was engaged in maintaining a balance while it was destroying it as well. Calhoun continues on to claim that the North excluding the South from gaining as much land as them should be the primary concern of the current political factionalism. He also states that the tariff has been very undesirable to the Southern states. It has been used mainly to protect Northern manufacturers, not Southern farmers. Along with the increase in the Northern population, this has lead to the increase in sectional discontent. Calhoun explains that the Union will fall apart and resort to warfare if the South has to continually decide between abolition and secession. In order to resolve these issues, the North will have to compromise. These compromises include restoring the balance in the Senate, allowing the South to claim land, and accepting slavery. By conceding these three things, the South will be able to live "honorably and safely" in the Union. The speech concludes by Calhoun stating that the North must take these actions and allow the South to gain California, or it will be obvious that the North wishes the inferiority of the South. Finally, Calhoun concludes that he has done his duty by expressing his opinion and is now free of responsibility.

LAD #12: Polk

Polk opens up his War Message to Congress by stating that he had tried to make peace with the Mexican government, but it was unsuccessful. When the American envoy landed in Mexico, ready to make peace, the Mexican Government refused to even listen to him, and even attacked some American settlements. Polk goes on to discuss that the MExican government and its officials had originally approved the American envoy, but when he arrived, he was rejected. Those who had at first approved the envoy, John Slidell from Louisiana, were from General Herrera's army, but a revolutionary party had just taken control. This new revolutionary government of General Paredes had no intent to negotiate with the United States and follow the actions of the previous government. Polk explains that he placed troops positioned around Texas, mainly in Corpus Christi, in order to protect the Texans' rights, but Texas had already become part of the Union. He addresses that Mexico was unable to stably communicate with America and did not execute its treaties like it should have. Polk reminds Congress that the American economy, specifically commerce, was greatly harmed by this situation, and that American had been working towards peace with Mexico for a long time. He finishes his War Message by stating that American must declare war against Mexico because of the many Mexican hostilities against America.

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions is modeled after the Declaration of Independence in the sense that it is a group of people standing up for their unalienable rights. In fact, it houses the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence in its Declaration of Sentiments. It brings up many of the same ideas talked about in the Declaration of Independence, but ties them into the equality of men and women. It states a number of grievances that have occurred, alienating the so-called unalienable rights of mankind, which includes women. These grievances include the lack of the right to vote or partake in the legislative process, the hindering effect that marriage has on them, their inability to own private property, their overall submissive nature to men, the unfairness of divorce laws, their inability to gain high-paying professions, the inequality in education, and not being allowed to partake in the actions of the Church. It goes on to talk about how these grievances can be resolved, basically equalizing men and women in society. These resolutions include the ability women have to address the public without ridicule, equality of women in government and in regard to men, the idea that women themselves can move forward as designated by God, ending the obedient degradation of women in favor of progressive fighting, the moral authority of women, that men should be just as moral in government as women already are, women's suffrage, and the combined efforts of men and women to end the patrimonial society that they live in. The effects of this Declaration were immense, setting the stage for the work towards women's suffrage and equality in future.

LAD #10: The Monroe Doctrine

1.  What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?
The United States wanted to remain neutral in foreign affairs, specifically the European affairs. They would only engage in fighting it it directly effected America and it's people. The Monroe Doctrine was created because the United States was concerned about European nations potentially trying to expand colonially in the Americas. America wanted to make sure that no European nation would even attempt to colonialize the western hemisphere, like the British, French, and others did in years prior.

2.  What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?
Adams' hoped that the Monroe Doctrine would help the US to remain neutral. He warns that any allied powers would not be able to spread their political systems without threatening the American peace and happiness. These systems ought to be met with outright difference in order for the US to remain in the position they want.

3.  What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone of American Foreign Policy?
"With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere." This is the key phrase of the entire document that is the cornerstone of American Foreign Policy because it expresses our neutrality, established by Washington in his first term.

Columbus Blog

Should Christopher Columbus be considered a hero or villian?

When we were younger we were taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America, and because of that I thought very highly of him. As my schooling progressed, I began to learn that Columbus wasn't all that I thought he was. Through his awful actions towards natives he proved himself to be more of a villain than a hero. To a great extent, Christopher Columbus is a villain, and to a lesser extent he is a hero.

To a greater extent, Christopher Columbus is considered a villain. When Columbus and his men first arrived in the New World, they brought with them many diseases such as small pox. Since the natives did not have resistance to these diseases, millions died as a result. Columbus also spoke about the natives and how they would "...make fine servants..." Columbus exploited the Indians, making them into slaves and taking over their land. His discovery of the Americas opened doors to future conquistadors who would continue to exploit natives, loot and slaughter villages such as the Aztecs and Incas. As governor of Santa Domingo on Hispaniola, he was a despot who kept all profits for himself and his brothers, and was loathed by the colonists whose lives he controlled.

To a much lesser extent, Christopher Columbus is considered a hero. Columbus was an experienced and talented sailor, navigator and ship captain. He bravely set off to the west without a map, trusting his instincts and calculations to guide him forward. Despite looking for a faster route to the west, he stumbled upon the Americas, beginning the movement to the west that changed the future forever.

Overall, Christopher Columbus should be recognized as a villain more than a hero, both because of his actions and the outcomes that came from them.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address Summary

Jefferson begins his speech by expressing his gratefulness in being elected the President, but states that the tasks are too great for his talents. He says that he "...shall find resources of wisdom, of virtue, and of zeal…" to help him through these difficult tasks. He says he will look toward legislature (Congress) and others for advice. He goes on to speak about how we must "...unite in common efforts for the common good…" and how we are all Republicans, and we are all Federalists. Jefferson speaks about how we must be tolerant of other groups, religious, minorities, etc. The minorities will be able to possess their equal rights, and have those rights be protected. Jefferson encourages the republic form of government by saying that it will work and that it will continue to work better for the United States than any other. He says that we are separated by an ocean from the other powers of the world, so we are left to develop our own Republican and Federalist views and develop our own attachment to our representative government and united country. Jefferson then lists what he believes to be the most important Constitutional principles to run the government at all times: equal and exact justice to all men, honest friendships with all nations, no alliances, the support of state alliances, the preservation of the Federal government, the preservation of the right to vote and elect, the preservation of the right to decide by the majority, a keeping of a well-disciplined militia, the supremacy of civil over military authority, economy in the public expense, honest repayment of debts, the preservation of the nation's faith, encouragement of agriculture and commerce, the diffusion of information for public reason, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the preservation of the habeas corpus. Jefferson ends his inaugural address by saying that he will uphold these principles to the best of his ability, but he that he won't be a perfect president. He asks the public to forgive him when he does make unintentional mistakes.

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

The address begins with Washington thanking everyone for their support. He reveals that he won't be running for president for a third term, a decision that makes a 2 term presidential length the precedent until after FDR. He felt he had done enough for the country, and made the decision based on personal reasons, not political. He had some advice to leave with the people. He spoke about how unity must be held very dear to the Americans. It is the "main pillar...of your real independence." He also warned the people about the dangers of factions and political parties. He believed that they would distract the people and government from the more important matters. They would pit fellow Americans against each other and only cause unrest. Finally, he wished that his Proclamation of Neutrality, published 3 years earlier, continue. He wants the United States to remain neutral during other conflicts going on in Europe.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, written in 1793, states that the United States will be impartial to all countries, regardless of whether or not they were in war at the time. He also warns the Americans to not aid or hinder these powers. If they do, they "will not receive the protection of the United States." All in all, the proclamation was stating that the United States would remain neutral to all countries, not showing any partiality.

LAD #5: Federalist #10

1.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are difficult to eliminate because people who have the same set of beliefs and ideas often congregate together. Factions are "sown in the nature of  man." It is difficult for the government to control this natural organization of people, without taking away natural liberties.

2.  If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

To control factions, the effects of them must be controlled. Minority factions, being the minority, will not stand against majority factions. To control this, the majority faction should be prevented from oppressing the minority. 

Republican Motherhood Blog

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood? Republican Mothers have the responsibility to raise their sons to be the next generation of men. American soldiers during the Revolutionary War fought to defend their lives and the liberty of the American people. Over time, new generations can often forget what happened over the course of the war, as they were not born to witness it. A Republican Mother's role was to teach her sons about the soldiers that were in the war and how they fought to defend their values (Doc. C).

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women? Women became more confined to the household as "That woman should regard home as her appropriate domain is not only the dictate of religion, but of enlightened human reason (Doc. A)." It became her duty, not only to God but also to her country, to stay in the home.
 

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?  Setting the stage for the process of women's socialization, Republican Mothers gained much more respect. In order to teach their son's about the history of their country, they could now be educated in those matters as well (Doc. B). "The solidity and stability of the liberties of your country rests with you," as it was believed that without these women, the knowledge of the country being passed on to further generations wouldn't be possible (Doc. C).

Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons by Charles Willson Peale (1789)

1. Describe the setting. Mary Gibson Tilghman is sitting on a couch in a mostly plain and empty room. Her two sons are sitting on her lap. 

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why?  How does the woman look?  How is she “republican” rather than aristocratic? Mary Gibson Tilghman is centered in the portrait as she now runs the house. She is in charge of regular household duties along with the education of her sons, giving her some authority. She looks very poised and also proud. It seems as though there is light radiating off her skin. She is more "republican" rather than "aristocratic" because her clothing is more modest and less flashy. She looks more down to earth and homey, rather than being done up with makeup.

3. What values do her sons exhibit? Her sons appear to be very young. Even so, they seem to be very mature. The fact that they are able to sit still, or so it seems, for the painting of this portrait is very impressive. They appear to be well dressed, and like their mother they seem proud.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm? Mrs. Tilgham's arm is draped over her son's lap. This asserts that she has power over him. It also shows that she will be significant in their growing up and learning to be well fit men of society. Her arm also represents her role as a mother in that she will protect him in life.

Blog #4 - Revolution Article

List 5 things you learned after reading "Rethinking the Revolution" by John Ferling

1. The Revolutionary War was not a particularly horrendous war - didn't have an exceedingly large death toll. Few civilians were injured or killed and there wasn't widespread suffering.

2. The Civil War started as a war and became a revolution. The War of Independence started as a revolution and became a war. This is important because to those in the Revolutionary era, war and breaking from the monarchy was unheard of at the start of the Revolution. On the contrary, the Civil War was a fight to save the Union from the beginning.

3. Besides Abe Lincoln, the best remembered members of the Civil War were all military men - Generals Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and Stonewall Jackson. That differs completely from the best remembered members of the Revolutionary War - Ben Franklin, Jon Adams, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock.

4. Unconsciously, the next generation of Americans (post Independence era) downplayed the significance of the Revolutionary War because the Civil War had six times as many people perish. This also occurred with the "Great War" (WWI) to WWII. When World War II came around, it was a greater war than  WWI, and many people in the new generation forgot how terrible the first World War truly was.


5. During the Revolutionary War, the British were never forced to overcome such large hardships as the Patriots had to. For example, when the Americans who invaded Canada ran so short of food, they consumed pet dogs and made a soup form boiled shoes and melted candles. George Washington wrote many times that his men were nearly naked, not having many clothes, and leaving bloody footprints on the snow because they didn't have shoes.