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Showing posts from November, 2018

LAD/Blog #21: Emancipation Proclamation

This proclamation, pronounced January 1 1863 by president lincoln, was monumental to say the least. In this, all slaves were declared free and it was pledged that the executive branch would use its power to preserve the liberties of newly freed slaves. He also promotes the idea of sending elected representatives back to congress to revert back to a peaceful state, specifically in the states of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and portions of Virginia. Lincoln encourages ex-slaves to be peaceful, and to consider enlisting in the military. To conclude, he asks for the help of god. The emancipation proclamation The declaration is alike the emancipation proclamation as it provided a controversial demographic the rights they sought.

LAD/Blog #20: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

Lincoln's second Inaugural Address was very concise. From the beginning of his speech, Lincoln talks on how there is little new information to be said. The main topic of his address was slavery, stating that 1/8 of the nation was black slaves and that this lead to the conflict, which abhorred both north and south in terms of lives lost. Lincoln appeals to religion as the address progresses, speaking on how both sides had strong ties to god and that God has a plan for the nation. To conclude his speech, he pledges to finish the war he started, repair the torn nation, and care for soldiers of the war. this was similar to Washington's second inaugural address in that they were both delivered in second terms where the future of the nation was uncertain. 

LAD/Blog #19: The Dred Scott Decision

On March 6 1857, the Supreme court decided that any African Americans either slave or free were not American citizens and therefore could not pursue legal matters in court. Moreover, the court found that Congress did not have the ability to abolish slavery and that slave owners ownership on slaves was protected by the 5th amendment. Collectively, this came from Scott v. Sandford, where widowed Eliza Sanford refused to let Scott buy his freedom despite formerly living in a free state, causing a lawsuit. Justice Taney ruled that this case would not be considered and due to this, tensions furthered between North and South grew.  Dred Scott Decision Brown v. Board of education was very similar to this ruling

LAD/Blog #18: Sojouner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech

Sojourner Truth speech, given in 1851 in Akron, Ohio was one of the quintessential speeches calling for rights for both Born into slavery, Truth was a influential speaker on slave rights since her freedom in 1827. Truth exemplified the difference between white and black women, and above both, men. Truth attacks the hypocrisy between the courtesy shown towards white women where there is none towards african american women. At length, Truth stood for both the rights of women and african americans firmly and made a significant impact on the movement. Sojourner Truth Harriet Tubman also stood for the principles that Truth stood for

LAD/Blog #17: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech

Within his famous speech, Frederick Douglass expresses his disapproval with America's handling of African Americans and the hypocrisy surrounding it. When he says, " This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn" accurately describes the point Mr. Douglass is trying to get across; while the white man can enjoy themselves on the Fourth of July, others must toil at their expense. While Douglass places no blame on the Founding Fathers, instead he finds that current leaders must enact change. Furthermore, Douglass brings religion into his speech saying that both races believe in the same god, and therefore must answer to him if they let racism continues. To Frederick Douglass, the 5th of July symbolized the aftermath of free men and the long overdue rights that African Americans had yet to have.  Mr. Douglass  As the First African American President, Barack Obama fulfilled Frederick Douglass' dreams in a sense.

LAD/Blog #16: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

I would argue that Lincoln's Gettysburg is his own personal reflection of the U.S. as a whole. Lincoln notes the rich history of the US, and how (four score and seven years ago) the founding fathers creates this nation with the primary idea that all men were created equal. He notes that while he can attribute this land to the veterans who fought in this coming of age war for the US, government actions such as these have no true ramifications and personally all should be indebted to those who fought. Furthermore, Lincoln calls upon the American people to continue their lives by enacting a golden age of sorts in American history and to avoid the mistakes that lead to this war. Lincoln's gettysburg address FDR's speech after pearl harbor was alike lincoln's due to the fact they both addressed a tragedy in american history and included a call to action moving forward. 

LAD/Blog #15: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

With another Republican president winning, many Southerners fear that their rights will not be tended to. Lincoln quells these concerns by noting that he is in no position to limit slavery any more than it already has been limited. Lincoln further reassures them by stating that he recognizes the rights of States and that military action would violate said rights. Lincoln continues to reassure those who doubt him by promising to uphold the ideas of the constitution. Lincoln then progresses to the largest topic, national unity. He approaches this by saying that the union outdates the constitution, and therefore is essential. He continues by saying that if one state leaves, America will be damaged. He states that secession is a revolution and will be treated accordingly. Additionally, Lincoln concludes his address by stating that the sections of America should strive to be friends, not enemies. Lincolns first inaugural address   Washington's first inaugural address also address...

LAD/Blog #14: Calhoun's Speech on the Compromise of 1850

Calhoun mentions in the beginning that slavery will end up separating the nation. Furthermore, he states that the two parties in America have failed to prevent this division. He also mentions that the southern states can no longer remain in the union because they feel as if their honor is being attacked. Moreover, he addresses the fact that the balance between the north and the south has been broken with the North gaining too much influence in government due to the larger population. Additionally, he discusses that expansion is occurring more in the north due to laws. Since more northern states were being added, northern influence in congress was also c increasing. Moreover, he mentions that the north is getting most of the benefits from taxes, and that import duties are negatively impacting the south.   He also mentions that more immigrants are moving to the north which also increases its effect on the House. Calhoun goes on to mention that the only way that unity is going to be...

LAD/Blog #13: Polk's War Message

Polk began by noting that the changing relationship between the United states and Mexico requires him to make this statement. He remarks that the most effective way to resolve the issue is through an arrangement between both countries. However, negotiations ultimately failed, and Mexico invaded American territory while many casualties. The Texas border dispute was probably the most important issue. Even when Mexican leadership changed, American negotiation attempts where denied. After Texas became a state, it was deemed that it deserved national protection. The first major conflicts occurred on April 24th where the Americans were forced to surrender. During this conflict trade between America and Mexico was stalled. Since peace attempts failed, Polk concludes by stating that a state of war exists between America and Mexico. The alamo

LAD/Blog #12: Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments

1.      This document opens with many democratic values and includes many of the statements from the declaration of independence. It mentions the American ideals of life, liberty, consent from the governed, and that people have the right to change the government over time. Additionally, it states that, "all men and women are created equal." 2.      There are a variety of grievances of women that are mentioned in this declaration. These include not having the right to vote, submission to laws that they do not have a say in, being withheld from rights that foreigners have, submission to their husbands, and being withheld from a proper education. 3.      In the resolution, the author stresses that the government needs to give women the rights that they deserve. Moreover, the author also states that women will persevere in their fight and that they will petition to the state and national governments to achieve their goals. ...