LAD #20

LAD #20: The Emancipation Proclamation

In Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, on January 1^st, 1863, he proclaims that all slaves in rebelling states are free and that the government participate in maintaining and preserving that freedom. Essentially, all of those who are deemed slaves or treated as such, whether it be official ownership or straight up oppression, would be emancipated, and given their rights and freedom back. He also made sure that newly freed slaves knew that they are welcome to now join the army. All new rights to be extended to these slaves included receiving fair wages and a more free life. This address went over a very sensitive and important issue in society, and really helped gain America more equality.

LAD #19

Summarize Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, 1865:

Essentially, in Lincoln’s second inaugural address, he declares that the news of progress of any war entanglement was as readily available for the people to access as Lincoln had himself. It was a shorter message for there wasn’t all that much news to convey. He describes first address as one devoted to saving the nation without instigating war, but acknowledges that now war has come upon them.

He briefly discusses the impact slavery had on the war, and how the war has proven to be worse than expected. He acknowledges that both sides had used their beliefs in God to pray, and Lincoln also describes how he believes that God has his own plan as to how to bring justice for what felt like an eternity of slave-owning practices.
Abe draws his address to a close with the end solution being finishing the war out, repairing damage done to the nation, and then take care of/ hospitalize wounded, or dead soldiers, along with their widows and children.

LAD #15- Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Summarize the Gettysburg Address:

In President Abe Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, his main discussion topic is in regards to the Civil War that broke out after the Battle of Gettysburg. He starts his address by explaining how the nation was created and the principles it was founded on, such as equality. Then, he acknowledges that the Civil War is a very difficult challenge and sets a high amount of internal tension, too much for a nation to endure. After that, he gives recognition to all of the soldiers that have fought in the war, but specifically those at Gettysburg. He claims that what he says about the soldiers doesn't matter or have any significance, but admits that what the soldiers did was of great importance, and had direct impacts and significance on history. He continues in declaring that the soldiers must not have died in vein, and makes it known that the people living now need fill the necessary roles of those who died and keep up the fight that they had started. To wrap it up, he claims that and that by doing so, and having people step up to fill the shoes of the deceased soldiers, the nation will once again practice equality for all and freedom as well. 

This is a picture of the Declaration of Independence, where we broke off from Britain's rule, which previously depressed our rights and liberties.

LAD # 14- President Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Summarize:

Abraham Lincoln delivered his First Inaugural Address on March 4th, 1861. His address began with Lincoln declaring that he had no previous intentions of slowing, or stopping slavery in the states that had already been determined to be slave states. In fact, he said he only wanted to stop the spread of slavery to new (different), non-slavery states. After that, Lincoln states that he would protect the rights of states,  and turn the creating a new sense of patriotism and unity in the United States again. Additionally, he also claims that the purpose of the oath that he had taken to be President was to protect the Constitution, while also making him responsible for law enforcement throughout the Union. Finally, he also proclaims that he will do anything necessary to keep the United States wholesome (as a Union) and to prevent war from breaking out between states. He attempts to prevent Civil war by declaring that if a state secedes, it would be unconstitutional, therefore setting up a deterrent for interstate tensions.


This is a picture of Barack Obama at his inauguration, being sworn into the Presidency.

LAD #18 Dred Scott Decision

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision
Read Chief Justice Roger Taney's Decision in the Dred Scott vs. Sanford Supreme Court case – summarize

In the Dred Scott vs. Sanford curt case in 1857, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sanford. They coincided with the beliefs of Mr. Roger Taney, who took all of the evidence into consideration. People started realizing that the official ruling was about to take place, alongside a man by the name of James Buchanan. Buchanan used his personal connections in a successful attempt to figure out what the ruling would be and then supported it in his inaugural address. In this address, he claimed that people of the states would eventually solve the conflict of whether or not slavery should exist in America. Additionally, he supports the ruling of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case. Finally, Taney then announced the official ruling, stating that even free African Americans were not in fact citizens of the US so therefore, they do not have the power to sue in an American court. In conclusion, he declared that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional, and that Dred Scott was still going to be considered and treated like a slave.

 This is a picture from the Brown Vs. Board of Education Supreme Court Case, where Brown fought to have schools integrated, rather than segregated based on race.

LAD #17

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

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in New York State, which is ironic considering the North was typically classified as having “anti-slave” states. Eventually, after gaining her freedom in 1827, she became widely acknowledged as a public speaker who speaks out against slavery. She was well-known for her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech, which was delivered at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio, on May 29, 1851. Originally, it was not by any one specific title. The speech attracted a lot of publicity in 1863, during the American Civil War, when Frances Dana Barker Gage published a different version. Said version being the one that became known as “Ain't I a Woman?” due to its very controversial question. Later on, it became recognized and a more readily available version, which was to be referred to by many, in fact most historians. In Sojourner’s speech, she spoke on the rather touchy subjects regarding the inequalities and mistreatment that women and blacks faced at that time in America. She declared and supported the idea that men should treat all women the same, in saying, “That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place, and ain't I a woman?” Sojourner Truth wanted to challenge the idea regarding the general conception of womanhood in front of the audience. She believed the term should be broadened to include black women as well. She also proclaimed that all woman deserve to be treated well by all other no matter the race or gender.

This is a picture of Rosa parks, famous for standing up for both women and blacks' rights by sitting on the bus despite what the white people ordered her to do.

LAD #16

Read Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech in Rochester, 1852 and summarize:

Frederick Douglas was requested give a speech at Corinthian Hall, which is in Rochester New York, on the 4th of July  in Rochester. The topic or question he had to talk about was essentially, what does the 4th of July mean to a slave? His speech was delivered not with the expected positive and nationalistic speech about liberty, but rather he proclaims that while a white man may celebrate his own rights and freedoms, the Fourth of July stands to mock African Americans. This is because they and their rights have been brutally oppressed by the same people who have a day to celebrate their independence and "equality". Frederick Douglas also claims that for this reason, the Fourth of July is especially dark, more so than any other day for an African American slave. Finally, he concludes in saying that he is going to, with all his power, denounce slavery; but, he will only do so in ways that are fair and just. Finally, he declares that the practicing of American slavery is the most cruel and dark act in history.
 This is a picture of Martin Luther King, well-known for his "I had a Dream" speech and for standing up for his own and the rights of African Americans.

LAD # 13

Summarize John Calhoun's speech:

In John C. Calhoun’s speech, addressing congress, he talks about slavery and how it has impacted America. He initiates his speech in describing his opinions regarding slavery, and that he always thought that the issue of slavery would eventually hurt the union. He also proclaims that he wants to preserve the union. After this, he declares that the cause behind this disunity is occurring because of the differing views of the Southern States regarding slavery. Next, he describes each one's views that increase sectional tensions which in turn take away from the union. The largest difference is the North more so is against slavery and the South is more pro-slavery. Different tariffs and acts passed benefited different areas of the country, which added to tension by increasing jealousy and hatred between regions. It was evident that each side sternly believed that they were in the right and the other side was in the wrong. Because the more states that support a side, a majority forms regarding that opinion in the country. This means the South was becoming less influential because there were more states being added to the North, resulting a majority of people being anti-slavery. Calhoun stated that the only way to preserve unity is if the North appeases the South's beliefs and wishes, and tries to make the two sectors (North and South) more balanced under the law. With more equal sections, the South, in turn, would be less likely to secede, and thus preserving the union.

This is a picture of the Confederate flag, which represents a secessionist group of states after the Civil War ended.

LAD #12 Polk's War Message to Congress

Summary of President Polk's War Message to Congress:

President Polk opens this message, which was delivered in the from of speech, by announcing that he had previously sent a diplomat to Mexico earlier that fall, in an effort to resolve or better their relations. In refusing to accept the admittance of said diplomat at the time, the Mexicans had shed innocent American blood. This was unexpected as even after the President had sent John Slidell, in effort to address all of the various areas where tension existed between the two countries. The Mexicans had reacted violently, which in turn caused them to deny Slidell and any diplomatic conference with the United States. After yet another rejection by the followingGeneral Paredas, Slidell was left no other option but to return home with no advancements made. Polk then orders  theUnited States to move troops towards Mexico, on the side of the Del Norte River, which, instead of maintaining security, ended up initiating an attack with Mexican troops. The president decides that the Americans should accept & fight back an unavoidable war in order to maintain American interests, honor, and our rights.

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

Summarize the Seneca Falls Declaration:

First of all, the Seneca Falls Declaration is broken up into two subtopics, with the first being the Declaration of Sentiments. The Declaration of Sentiments was organized in a very similar way to the well known Declaration of Independence. It addresses a lot of the same lines from the Declaration of Independence, but makes sure to include that not only all men are created equal, but also all women. In doing so it drew in more attention, increased popularity, while at the same time boosting a sense of nationalism. On top of that, it mocks ironically hypocritical male "struggle" for independence while women are being suppressed by the law in their rights. It further copies the Declaration of Independence in listing several grievances, most of which were valid, although some exaggerated to prove a point and add emphasis. This includes topics regarding the lack of a women's suffrage, and the lack of women's civil rights (particularly when it comes to married women); the differing codes of expected behavior set upon men and women; her inability to earn wages equivalent to a male; her inability to partake or have a say in law, medicine, the church, or the government ; and a woman's inability to receive a complete education at college due to law's authority. Finally, the authors admit that they subjected themselves to others' disapproval, but stated that they will continue to petition for their god given rights and their goal is to host more conventions in the future.

In the second section it lists the desires resolutions of the women, in which they state their views on the issues mentioned in the grievances and declare what they believe needs to be accomplished. For example, the women determine that it is their duty to secure their "sacred right to the elective franchise". The authors conclude the Seneca Falls Declaration by mentioning that it is the right and duty of both men and women to promote equality, and thus that the rights of women ought to be achieved.

Harriet Tubman, born into slavery and an era where blacks didn't have equal rights, stood up and fought for what she believed in.

LAD #10 Monroe Doctrine

1.  What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812? The issuing of the Monroe Doctrine essentially was to express the view that America would not tolerate any foreign infringement on their recently created state of vulnerability. We would not partake in any further European wars or conflict unless it posed a threat to our rights or safety.

2.  What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine? His goal when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine was to let foreign countries know that we wouldn't tolerate any infringements they may make that threaten our rights our public safety. The goal was to essentially preserve peace and neutrality for our country.


3.  What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone or American Foreign Policy? Essentially the key phrase is that we won't tolerate foreign countries' interference or imperialism of our colonies, and the fact that we wanted to maintain neutrality.

The proclamation of Neutrality was created by George Washington on April 22, 1793, and declared the U.S. neutral in the war between France and Britain.