Neil's AP American Blog

As America's first president, many actions taken by George Washington are considered modern precedents in modern America. In his address, he set the precedent for a 2-term presidency to prevent abuse of power. Washington warns of the formation of factions in American politics, citing that it will lead to excessive disunity.  He believed this would weaken the US as a people. He mentions the importances of taxes and funding the government appropriately, and that even though its resented it is still necessary. As he progresses, he preaches neutrality and isolationism, and not to get involved in the petty conflicts of Europe. Washington ends this speech with thanks to the American people, who enabled his success. Washington's Farewell address Another precedent Washington set was a farewell address, as President Barack Obama's address is pictured here.

Summarization: While noting the war present in Europe, America chooses to remain neutral and to not take a side. Citizens of the U.S. ought to avoid any words or actions that contradicts this belief or they may be punished legally. Washington's Proclamation of neutrality American neutrality in WW1

1.  What is a faction? A faction is a subgroup within a larger group with slightly differing views. Also known as sects or in terms of politics, parties. 2.  Are factions good or bad?  According to Publius, factions are bad because they:  lessen political efficiency  focus on only their needs as a faction lessen national unity fall victim to personal bias 3.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate? Factions are difficult to eliminate because they associate themselves with freedom--if you were to openly destroy factions, it would violate freedom of speech and other freedoms. Factions are formed through differing views, which are inevitable. Therefore you must either remove people's liberty to eliminate a faction or change their mind, which is difficult because individuals are unique in their beliefs.  4.  If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled? Factions can be controlled by diluting their belief...

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood? With the Revolutionary War, additional Enlightenment ideas were transferred to America. This included that under America's newfound democracy, women were encouraged to take part in the government by both encouraging civic engagement and educating her sons, as well as preparing her daughters to be mothers such as she was. 2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women? As a result of Republican Motherhood, women receive more education that previously, under the assumption that they would teach their offspring what they learned (doc B). Women also were regarded as the protectors of the nation, as they were to preserve Republican ideals for future generations. 3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization? While women were still primarily confined to the home, they now had the resp...

1. People have the power to manipulate how history is remembered-a magnificent amount of power indeed 2. 25% of those enlisted in the Continental army died; the cost to hold our country together was high. 3. Due to the introduction of cameras, the Civil War was not only documented by writing, therefore making its depictions more realistic 4. The Revolutionary war has been 'whitewashed' to depict the war as more glorious and triumphant instead of a brutal struggle for the rights we held dear. 5. Half of captured soldiers in the Revolutionary war died. Depiction of a Revolutionary War battle As this article suggests, the Civil War was alike the Revolutionary war to an even greater extent due to the leveled death tolls and struggles.

1.  List the democratic principles discussed in the opening. All men are created equal.  All men are to be granted the three unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  The validity of the government comes from the governed. If the governed are dissatisfied with the government, they are given the right to change or overthrow said government.  2.  List 5 grievances the colonists were making the King aware of. ignorance of American law prevented people from migrating west restriction of American trade taxation without consent terrorizing the American people forcing troops to reside in colonist homes removal of charters 3.  Summarize what the final paragraph is saying. The final paragraph states that while the American people have attempted to warn the British of how they have been wronged, they have paid not attention to the well-being of the colonists and therefore they must separate from their mot...

1.)    Who was Peter Zenger? Peter Zenger was the printer of the New York Weekly Journal, and a critic of the governor at the time. 2.)   What was the controversy over his charges? Zenger was charged between seditious libel. The judge overseeing the case, among others, intended to  imprison Zenger despite the validity of the claims put forward. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, formulated the claim that what Zenger had been printing was not libelous if truthful. This was a nearly unbeatable defense and ultimately saved Zenger from imprisonment. 3.)   What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions? Hamilton's successful defense of Zenger provided a precedent for and affirmed freedom of the press within the developing nation. This precedent remains in order to enable those to freely criticize government without the fear of punishment. 4.)   What is the lasting significance of his trial? Zenge...

1.)   What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact? Within the Mayflower Compact, the primary idea represented is that with approval from both their King (James) and God, they are permitted to travel and settle in a portion of the new world. Additionally, the countries which are represented within the colony are also represented on the compact, signifying a somewhat joint venture between the nations of England, France, Ireland, and later Scotland. 2.)   How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds? The Mayflower Compact reflects ties to both world old and new in the sense that while they are being permitted distance from their mother country, they still recognize the power of King James and their Anglican religion. Despite this, colonists mention an equal set of laws, constitution, and general government, a contrast from the Monarchy of European nations at the time. 3.)   How did the fundamental...

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