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.

LAD #10- Monroe Doctrine

"The Monroe Doctrine was expressed during President Monroe's seventh annual message to Congress, December 2, 1823:" It stated that the United States would not stand for any oppression brought on my existing European colonies in America. If any such violence or oppression was present then the United States would act with agression to put it down. European nations were forbidden to interfere with the United States any further which also meant that no additional colonization of the "New World" was to take place. Especially with the newly independent and somewhat shaky America, interference of any sort was dangerous. Additionally, Russia and Great Britain were now maintaing peaceful relation to America. Both countries, as well as America, believed that the whole of European nations should cease colonization and oppression of other counrties, and concentrate on their own domestic affairs. The United States also declared that they would not interfere or attempt to colonize any European nations. The Monroe Doctrine ultimately allowed the United States to become fully independent without fear of being taken over once again. The United States was then able to flourish without the looming shadows of European superpowers who would jump at the chance to dominate the country.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

In the beginning of Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address he first thanks the American people and expresses his gratitude in being voted as President. He also acknowledges the difficulty of the job he has taken on but promises to do the best he possibly can and that he was ready to take on the role as President. He goes on to stress his desire for the country to succeed and move forward in the next few years which can be done with the aid of the American people as well as the Constitution. He claims that America will continue to be the strongest nation in the world while maintaining it's sense of security and improving itself for the future. Jefferson declares that he wants to stay away from the issues plaguing Europe and remain uninvolved. In essence, he would follow the guidelines of a Republican government in order to retain the strength and stability of the government that presently was in place. Following the basis of a Republican government would aid America in reaching its goals and bettering itself for the future. He concludes, yet again acknowledging the difficult task that lies before him but promises to learn from his mistakes and lead America in being the best that it can be for he is there to serve the country.

Columbus Blog #8

Today, the immoral acts that were committed by Columbus in the founding of America are almost never remembered in comparison to the happiness that many associate Columbus Day with, in having a day off from school or work. Many do not remember the horrors that Columbus brought to the Indians of the New World and of the impacts of his voyage. The primary reason for his voyage was to find new trade routes to the East Indies which would bring him more wealth and fame. However, although he ended up finding the New World, he still received the wealth, fame, and glory he was searching for, each being a variation of the greed that consumed Colombus in his expeditions. On his first expedition he encountered the Arawak people of the Bahamas which he believed were very vulnerable and could easily be converted to Chrisitanity and taken as slaves. He even said "I could conquer the whole of them with 50 men, and govern them as I pleased." This shows his power hungry mindset and that he was leading these voyages in order to solely benefit himself. On later expedition similar events occurred. Columbus would accept the gifts and services that he was given by the Indians, just to take their land, convert them to Christianity and use them as slaves. Additionally the disease brought to the New World by Columbus and his men took countless lives of the Indians.  He obtained much wealth from the Indians themselves and also from monarchs who paid him to carry out these expeditions. Columbus should be remembered as a villain but by most people today, Columbus is recognized as the hero who founded America resulting in a three day weekend.