LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural

This election is known as the spark of the civil war, but Lincoln starts his inaugural by addressing the predicament of slavery and therefore it was directed towards the South. In the speech he vowed to maintain the Union and keep all the states, even if it meant war. Also he declared that the Union was indissolvable and needed to be kept unified. Furthermore, he said that we would not be the first to attack, and soon after this speech, the Confederate army attacked Fort Sumter, which was included in speech that the Union would hold onto its property, rights, and places that belonged to the government. In the speech he addressed slavery, the south, not using force against the south,  secession, protection of slavery (Corwin amendment), more about slavery (in territories), the postal service (how it would still be in use in the south), and federal positions in the South. He ends with, "We are not enemies, but friends." And that the North and South must get along in order to create a strong unified nation.

LAD #13: Calhoun's Speech

This is the most famous speech by John C. Calhoun, who died shortly after having it read. He brings up right away, "How can the Union be preserved?" He saw that the slavery issue was escalating and something needed to be changed. However, he completely rejected the Compromise of 1850. He brought up that the Constitution said that the South had the right to own slaves. And then offered a solution to the question he posed about saving the Union, only the North could save it by recreating the balance once held by the North and South. He used ethos and logos to help prove his point as correct. Even though he made this great speech on not passing the Compromise, it was still passed.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

Talking about the relations between the US and Mexico, President Polk says:
The border dispute with Mexico and the US has become increasingly tense and corrective actions need to be made. Polk talks about Mr. Slidell and the struggle in Mexico. When the US said that they were going to annex Texas, Mexico was unhappy, and Polk, when trying to reach the Presidency, promised that he would garner Texas. This led to the Mexican-American War. This war problem with Mexico is solely due to the acts of Mexico and the US is trying to fix it.

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Convention

A crucial start for the women's rights movements started in the anti-slavery movements, as women were excluded. In the Declaration of the Sentiments, the first part of the Declaration of Independence is quoted and the women proceed to say how they have been wronged by this sentence and phrase at a time. In each of these sentences it begins with he and has her in it. The second part is titled Resolutions, and each sentence begins with Resolved, that... This is the place where it says that women are equal to men and women are entitled to the same rights as men.

LAD #10: The Monroe Doctrine

December 2, 1823: President Monroe addressed countries all over the world declaring that there should be no more colonizing in the West (the Americas) from then on out. The prohibition of such would ensure the United States' safety. Also, friendly relations with European powers were sought by Monroe and the United States. But, Monroe deemed that the Old and New Worlds were separate and different.

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Summarize Jefferson's First Inaugural Address:

Jefferson thanks the American people for voting him in as President of the United states and promises that great times for Americans and the country are ahead. He also declares that with teh help of the Constitution, the American people, and other official, they will be safe and have a great few years. Life and liberty are important and will be kept, while following the Constitution. The American government is among the strongest in eh world and they will continue to keep it that way as well as develop it further. He explains what will come of his years in office including; a well trained militia, payback of money, higher levels of commerce, trade, and agriculture, continued freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights, as well as liberty and safety. He concludes that he is happy to lead teh country and he wants to ensure the happiness of the citizens and takes their opinions to heart.

Columbus Blog #8

Although Christopher Columbus is both a hero and villain, he is a hero to a greater extent. The arguably "accident" landing in the New World, can potentially be called one of the most important discoveries. Ever. This finding meant the start of a new era in world of politics, economics, and social relations. He is a hero because he helped form the basis for all action in the New World, such as the formation of the colonies which eventually turned into one of the most powerful nations in the world, provided an extreme exchange of products and goods otherwise unknown to each territory. Corn, tomatoes, potatoes, vanilla, rubber, tobacco, and chocolate were all indigenous to the New World and previously unknown to the Old World, while citrus plants, bananas, apples, mangoes, onions, wheat, rice, and coffee were all only known to the Old World. All these products were exchanged permanently influencing the world; Switzerland and their chocolate, Italy and tomatoes, France and cigarettes, Florida and oranges, Hawaii and pineapples, Columbia and coffee, and America and dandelions. Columbus's landing in the Americas can be considered the turning point in world history, as after this many new, different, and otherwise nonexistent events occurred such as colonization, strengthening of countries, wars, and much more. Also, Columbus was one of the first to understand, comprehend, and accept that the world was round, not flat, like many scientists of the time thought. However, this was purely by luck and from this Columbus negatively impacted the natives lives by spreading disease and being the sole reason that they lost their land and home as well as people across the globe, including Africans, who after this encounter were roped into the slave trade for generations. Even though there are negatives, like every situation, the positives outweigh them and, thanks in part to the hero Christopher Columbus, these are the reasons I can call America my home today.