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.