LAD #10- Monroe Doctrine

1.  What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?
It expressed the United States concern for European imperialism and expansion into their territory. They feared that European powers would continue to take advantage of them. They also wrote this article to state America's neutrality in European affairs, and to say that America would only protect smaller nations or others if it was going to influence America.
2.  What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?
He wrote this to send a message to European powers. This message being that America was not to be messed with and as long as Europe minded their own business, so would Americans.
3.  What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone or American Foreign Policy?
"It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in hope that other powers will pursue the same course. . . .", this is the last line and it stands out because it talks about the policy of neutrality. It also says that we hope everyone else stays neutral because if they don't then they will feel our wrath.

Above: President Monroe

LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural

          Jefferson begins his address by thanking the American people for electing him president. America was a nation at its beginning, lots of industry to be started and destinies far ahead. This was a hard task for Jefferson to take, which he says. Also he hopes to find wisdom and virtue by using other people and following the Constitution. He asks for help from his fellow man to make sure that the country heads in the right direction.
          The Constitution has mapped out our rights, like freedom of speech and it will arrange our laws and unite us for the good of everyone. Keep in mind, those who break the rules will be held responsible for their actions, but everyone will have equal rights which will unite us as one person. The restoration of social and religious freedoms that were not given to us in our nations before coming to America, be given back to us. People left those lands to get away from persecution and came to this peaceful land, for safety. Every person is both a federalist and a republican, this is not a difference of principle. There is no reason to hate this new government, it, so far, has kept its nation out of war and kept its people free, so why would you want to get rid of it? This is the strongest government in the world, because everyone governs it, not just one king, but rather all of the people in the nation.
          This country, with both federalists and republicans, has enough room for everyone and everyone inside the country will be judged based on their actions not their families. Citizens will need morality and justice because those are the values held highest by the American people. Overall, this government will keep people safe, but it will not interfere in industry or labor; a good government is need to guarantee happiness.
          It is necessary for everyone to understand the essentials of the government, most importantly; equal justice for all men, peace and commerce with all nations, no alliances, all rights protected by the States, administrations help with our domestic concerns, conservation of the General Government, peace and safety at home and abroad, election by the people. If the powers are abused then the people should revolutionize if their is no other option, use the decisions of the majority, principles of a Republic, despotism, well disciplined militia, supremacy of civil over military power, public economy, payment of debts, preservation of faith, agriculture and commerce encouraged, and freedoms in the bill of rights and Constitution. All of these principles shape the government and they will lead to tranquility and liberty.
           Jefferson mentions he is happy to have been elected, but he will not be perfect. It is hard to follow in Washington's footsteps, he was a great leader. Therefore Jefferson will make some wrong decision and some right decisions. He asks for the support of his errors because they were not intended as such. With the power he has he hopes to do right by it and the people who voted for him.
          Jefferson concludes saying he hopes that he will retire when people vote him not to be in power, using their rights, and that the people use their power that cannot be taken away; they lead to peace and prosperity.

LAD #8: Columbus' blog

Despite Christopher Columbus contributing to many aspects of society today, he negatively impacted peoples lives and that is why he should be considered a villain, not a hero. First of all, he did not discover America, despite popular belief, there were already Native Americans her and it is believed that the Vikings had also already traveled to America. Columbus was not even the second group to be in America. Once he reached America, Columbus did not treat the natives respectfully. He enslaved them and caused the deaths of millions. He brought death to America, through slavery and disease. His slave trade took men, women, and children from their homes and he kept lots of the money he made for himself. He was so disliked that during his fourth voyage, when his crew was stranded, nobody from Spain wanted to go and help him. Overall, Columbus was a villain, he participated heavily in the slave trade and he is remembered for something that had already occurred; the discovery of America!

Pictured Above: Christopher Columbus

LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

          In George Washington's farewell address, he says that he is not leaving because of problems, but because he is ready to leave. He wanted to give a proper farewell and hoped Americans would not be angered by his decision to step down. Stepping down at this time was not a big deal seeing as the country was in a good place. Also the years in politics made him welcoming retirement. He states that he owes Americans a lot of gratitude for what they have given him and he also hopes that the Constitution will continue to work for America and the liberties will still be guaranteed. Washington offers some advice to the future Americans,  they are warnings. One was that liberty must be held in the highest standard, political safety will result in prosperity for the US. Next, he said Americans must join together and use their patriotism for their advantage. Everyone in the nation must learn to preserve the union. Also, he says all parts of the United States must work together and use each other when help is needed. If all parts of our nation work together, they cannot fail or be beaten and there is much hope this idea of patriotism will work for the country.  To go along with this, Americans cannot focus on the differences between people in their area, they need to work together instead. This working together goes along with the fact that everyone must follow the rules written in the Constitution. All political groups will counter act the interests of Americans, therefore we should not have political parties but rather leaders with whom we share mutual interests. These people who hold the power may, at the beginning seem helpful, but they are really going to hinder American progress. Also the Constitution should have alterations put into it if the need arises, the need being for the people to maintain their rights. The biggest enemy of Americans is political parties, they, over a long period of time, lead to one person gaining to much power and miseries in the general population. These political groups can cause corruption, thus causing Americans to be subjected to the will of other places. Another important part of the government is the system of checks and balances. Due to people always wanting power, each group must share power, none surpassing the others. Checks and balances will only work if the people in the government are educated and virtuous. To help this nation survive, stay at peace with others and also stay away from evils like corruption. Another thing that must be done is staying out of the problems of foreign nations, stay neutral and trade with both sides. To go along with this, stay clear of permanent alliances and stay honest, by doing so do not grant favors. Overall, Americans must stay neutral, should not have political parties, and should not seek indulgences. In doing so they will be rewarded with their own happiness.

Above: American Flag

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Despite the fact that many of the Great Powers of Europe are engaged in warfare, the United States should continue to be friendly and impartial towards the warring groups. Therefore, Washington asks the people of the Untied States that they remain impartial to both sides of the war in Europe and Americans proceed in accordance to their neutrality. Anyone who does not act in accordance to the neutrality will be punished by law if they aid any of the hostile nations. Washington has signed these papers with the seal of the United States on April 22, 1793.

Above: George Washington, speaker of this proclamation.

LAD #5: Federalist #10

1.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions can be fixed either by controlling the causes of the factions disobedience or controlling its effects. You can rid the factions of a cause by removing liberty or giving everyone the same interests. Both of these ideas contain flaws, it is saying either you take away an essential part of life, which would be unwise, or you make everyone have the same beliefs, which would be almost impossible and totally  impractical. Therefore, you cannot eliminate a faction, it is much to challenging, you can only control the effects of a faction. Factions are a challenge to eliminate because the ways to eliminate are challenging and unjustifiable, so the most efficient method to working with factions is to control the effects of the factions.

Above: The Statue of Liberty, pictured because liberty is something that is unwise to take from people and that is why factions cannot be eliminated. 

2.  If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

The best way to control a faction is to make sure they are a minority. The Untied States has principles that make sure the majority is what dictates this country. The minority will overall have a very limited effect on the majority. You can use the factions passion to help your cause, also. Overall, factions are controlled by the democratic principles that make up our Constitution, they make sure the minority factions can be controlled.

Above: The Constitution, pictured because its principles control the factions

Republican Motherhood Blog

1.       What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?
The Revolutionary War drew men and older boys from their houses, leaving women to take care of the estates. In Document B, it is mentioned that the children take after what their mother teaches them. The mother raises the children so it is quite important for them to have some education. Mothers raise the future politicians, lawyers, etc. of America, therefore it became important for mothers to teach their children. Also this gave a better social meaning to the job of the women around the house, seeing as they were expected to overseeing activities in the house.

Above: A women spending time with her family
2.      What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?
Due to this new duty of women, the view of women was changed. They were expected to never interfere with politics, as said in Document A. Also since women were the teachers of future generations, learning was limited. If a mother did not know arithmetic or could not write, it would affect her children. Children were raised and taught by women, so if your mothers education was lacking, yours could be, too.

Above: A mother with her children
3.      What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?
Women finally had a role in society that was meaningful. "If the hedges and borders of the social garden be broken up, the lovely vine... will be the first to fall and be trodden under foot" (Document D). This quote is saying that if women don't perform with their new duties, than society will collapse and the first to fall will be the women. The socialization of women was affected by Republican Motherhood because the motherhood made women and active part of society and gave them a purpose around the house.

 Above: Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons by Charles Willson Peale (1789)

1.       Describe the setting.
 Mary and her sons are sitting, most likely, in a living room on a sofa. Based on their outfits, they seems quite wealthy and also they have enough money to commission a painting of themselves. Another interesting part of the painting is that there is no husband painted.
2.      Who serves at the center of the portrait and why?  How does the woman look?  How is she “republican” rather than aristocratic?
 The woman is the center of the painting, she is the oldest person in the painting and therefore holds the most power. Normally, the man of the house was painted in the center because he held the most power in the house, but due to the republicanism of women, the women in the photo holds the most power in the photo. An aristocratic woman would never be the center of a photo with her sons, a woman in that social setting would hold less power than her sons, even though they are children.
3.      What values do her sons exhibit?
 Her sons both seem to love their mother, they are sitting on her lap and the one son is reaching for her arm. Also they both seem content and calm enough to let the painter paint their portrait.
4.      Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm?
Her arm is a crossed the lap of her one son's lap. This is a position of power, she is exerting her dominance over the thing she can control, her children. She has the ability to shape the future by controlling her children and teaching them, which by the looks of the picture, is a job she took seriously.