LAD #20: Emancipation Poclamation

In Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation given after the Battle of Antietam, he declared that all slaves are emancipated and the government of the United States will provide aid to ensure their freedom. By gaining this newfound freedom, they would gain basic civil rights such as receiving fair wages. Some regions of certain states such as in Virginia and the New Orleans area of Louisiana did not have to comply however Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia made up the list of states in which the contents of the Proclamation were mandatory to follow. 3.1 out of 4 million slaves in America achieved freedom with the Proclamation, proving to be a major turning point in the Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation was truly made America a free country, bettering it immensely.

LAD #19: President Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

President Abraham Lincoln had already served one term before being elected to his second. The Inaugural Address that was given at his second inauguration had great meaning to the nation although it was the shortest Inaugural speech ever given. Lincoln emphasized that although the United States was attempting to avoid war, men from both the North and South were continually heightening the animosity and planning to fight. He points out that neither side was completely correct in their accusations, implying that both were to blame. Lincoln also addressed that the government desired to limit the territorial expansion of slavery, however Americans and their contrasting ideas turned the conflict into one of bloody disputes. He also touches on the fact that the length of the Civil War, as well as it's brutality could never have been predicted which led to the America being disunified especially in the social, political, and economic sense. Lincoln ended his sadness tinged speech by clearly emphasizing that Reconstruction would be long and difficult but indubitably possible.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

The Dred Scott decision, or Scott vs. Sanford, involved the case in which Dredd Scott, a slave attempted to gain freedom by running from Missouri to Illinois. Scott then tried to purchase his slavery from his owner, who refused which resulted in Scott suing. Chief Justice Taney ruled that blacks weren't citizens of America, no matter if they were free or slaves which meant that they could not sue. Taney also said that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional since it did not allow the right of property to people who desired to own slaves above the southern border of Missouri. Because slaves were considered property, the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional as it denied the right to property, which was promised in the Constitution.  Ultimately, Scott was forced to return to his master as a slave to continue to work.

LAD #17: Ain't I a Woman?

Sojourner Truth opens her speech by bluntly stating that white men are going to be dealing with many upcoming conflicts with the countless reforms of blacks, as well as women taking place throughout Ameica. In her speech she is primarily arguing for the rights of women in general, however by asking the question, "Ain't I a woman?", she is making a point that just because she is a black woman, she should receive the same priveleges that white women already receive. Women, particularly white women, are fighting for acknowledgement of having an intelligence equal to that of a man. However, although white women receive the "privilege" of being helped into a carriage or over a puddle of mud, black women don't even receive those "womanly privileges." She says that women must assert their voices over those of men in order to bring about change and equalness and that men should stand aside and let them do it.

LAD #16: 5th of July

In Frederick Douglass' speech, "5th of July", he opens by asking the audience to think about what it means to be a slave on the 4th of July. He says that the 4th of July is only truly a significant holiday to free people, or whites. He continues that there is a major difference for slaves and free people when thinking about the meaning of the 4th of July in that "The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me." Douglass asserts his point that there are more slaves who continually are not receiving these privileges and are instead treated as lesser beings. Any freedom that a white has, was denied to a slave which supports Douglass' statement that "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine." He says that America has been built upon false foudations with the presence of slavery. He emphasizes the fact that black people and white people are equal, as many blacks during the time were holding jobs such as lawyers doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators, teachers, and much more. In the end he says that the free people should stand up for the rights of slaves so that America can be a true and equal country.

LAD #12: President Polk's War Message

In President James Polk's war message of 1846, he directly addressed the conflicts between the United States and neighboring Mexico which regarded Mexico's unjust and harsh treatment of American civilians. During the time in which the message was relayed, there was fighting and war taking place with Mexico in which Polk wanted to bring resolution and peace to. Although many attempts were made to achieve this desired peace, no resolutions could be agreed upon. Both countries desired an even negotiation which made it extremely difficult to settle on an agreement. Later American peace negotiaters were sent to Mexico in order to attempt at the creation for a resolution, however the the Mexican leader at the time, Paredes, would not allow them to do this which ultimately led to the disputes over the Texas territory. Both Mexico and America argued claims to the land which further developed the issues at hand and heightened the already ongoing fighting which was taking place. Mexico then broke into the United States, resulting in the death of innocent civilians and those of who weren't even involved in the fighting. America had no choice but to fight back in order to repress these attacks and President Polk encouraged and requested that all American citizens work together and support each other during this time.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun's main purpose in his speech was to explain how Clay's Compromise of 1850 was dividing the United States. He addresses the conflict in preserving the unification of the States. He also states that a major reason for the break in unification was the Southern States as they said that in order to remain their honor, they could not remain a part of the United States. This had resulted from various conflicts with slavery as well as economic issues and other problems in regards to western settlers. Additionally, there were conflicts dealing with the unequal distribution of land as well as the "supposed supremacy" of the Northern States which all led to the anger rising from within the South. Calhoun stated his disapproval of Clay's Compromise since he believed it would not prevent war. Calhoun was against the spread of slavery in America becauses of this compromise. Calhoun also went on to say that the sole way to solve these conflicts would be to give the South what they wanted, however only the North would be able to do this. He stated that without the North making these appeasments, then the Union would break as the South would secede from the United States of America.

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

The Seneca Falls Declarations of Sentiments and Resolutions was an extremely prominent beginning for the women's rights movement. The first part of the Declaration states how women have been continually oppressed and wronged.  A said that women deserved the basic rights that men already had such as owning property, having the ability to vote, unjust divorce laws, in addition to many more. The Resolutions make up the second part where it states that women are equal to men. This is also where the women state that they are not only equal to men but they deserve the same rights that men have.