LAD #20

The text of the beginning of the proclamation

In the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln said that all slaves in the rebelling states would be free, but those in the border states would not be. He says these freed people should abstain from violence unless it is in self-defense, and should also find jobs so they can make "reasonable wages." In addition, Lincoln stated that executive government, including the military, will recognize the former slaves' freedom and will help maintain it.

President Woodrow Wilson

The proclamation is similar to Woodrow Wilson's address to the Senate announcing the passing of the 19th Amendment since in both instances, a previously oppressed minority is getting their rights expanded, as with the passing of the amendment, women earned suffrage.

LAD #19

President Lincoln

In his second inaugural address, President Lincoln said that the progress towards the end of the war was "encouraging" as the Civil War was in its final months. However, he did review how America got to this point, acknowledging that slavery was a principle cause of the war, and that extending slavery was why the southern "insurgents" threatened the Union by war. He says that the government only wanted to restrict the region in which slavery was allowed, implying that the actions of the southerners was not justified. He reminded Americans of how wrong they had been about what the war would be like when it began, saying that neither side thought the war would be as bad as it was, and that neither thought that the cause of the conflict (slavery) would be resolved with or even before the war ended. He finishes by saying that he hopes that, he hopes that Americans are able to work together and end the war soon and heal quickly, which would promote a "lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

President George Washington

Washington's Neutrality Proclamation is relatable to Lincoln's speech since both are advocating for a lasting peace, both in America and abroad.

LAD #18

Dred Scott

In the Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott is denied freedom since, as a slave, he is property and his owner could take him into any territory and Scott is still legally owned and therefore still a slave. In addition, Congress cannot ban slavery from any territory due to the Fifth Amendment, which states that a person cannot be deprived of property without due process or just compensation. In this case, Scott is property and therefore cannot be deprived from Sandford, his owner. Lastly, Scott was a slave, not a citizen, so he cannot sue in a Federal Court.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, who decided Marbury v. Madison

This decision is similar to Marbury v. Madison since in both court cases, the Supreme Court assumes power over Congress. In Marbury v. Madison the Supreme Court established judicial review, allowing the Court to determine whether a law was constitutional or not, not Congress. In the Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress cannot declare slavery illegal.

Blog #17

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth , in her "Ain't I A Woman?" speech, discusses how women should have equal rights as men. She references her history of work, doing what men do, yet she is treated worse than men are. She could eat as much as a man, yet she cannot. She says men are given more than women - their cup holds a quart while hers a pint, and it's mean not to let her have her full share. She argues against the claim that women can't have as much rights as men because Christ is a man, saying that he came from God and a woman. She finishes by saying that women are asking for their rights they deserve, and men better give them to women.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Truth's speech is similar to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, since both Truth and King are asking for equal rights for the group they fight for, and their speeches are powerful through repetition - Truth by repeating "Ain't I a woman?" and King repeating "I have a dream."

Blog #16

Frederick Douglass

Douglass questions whether the freedom written in the Declaration of Independence extends to black people. He does not feel that black people are a part of the Fourth of July since they do not enjoy the independence that white men enjoy. Douglass says that the freedom that is being celebrated shows the disparity between whites and blacks, since everything that is celebrated, blacks don't have ("This Fourth of July is yours, not mine."). He goes so far as to say he is being mocked by being asked to speak during a time when independence is celebrated. He then discusses how wrong slavery is, since it robs men of their liberty. He continues, saying that to the American slave, the Fourth of July is a day that reveals the injustice and cruelty they are subject to. He goes to an extreme, saying there is not  nation on Earth guilty of worse practices than America is at this time.

An image depicting the Seneca Falls Convention

This speech is similar to the Seneca Falls Convention, since like Douglass, the women at the convention are speaking out against injustices they experience from white men in society.

LAD #15

Gettysburg National Cemetery

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln says that it is proper that a portion of the battlefield is dedicated as the final resting place of soldiers who fought in the Civil War. But, Lincoln says they cannot merely dedicate the ground - they must also devote themselves to the cause the people that will rest in that field fought for. These soldiers should not die in vain, but as the people who allowed America to be reborn, with greater freedom.

The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

This address is reminiscent of war memorials across America. These memorials honor fallen soldiers in war who fought so their country could have the freedoms its people enjoy.

LAD #14

President Abraham Lincoln

In his first inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln said that, as president, he does not have the power to abolish slavery. He also said that no state can lawfully secede from the Union, but still asked the Southern states to avoid war. Lincoln also voiced his opinion that secession itself was impractical since the sections cannot be separated "beyond the reach of each other." Lincoln finished by saying that Americans need to think about what they do, and "nothing valuable can be lost by taking time." Also, the issue of Civil War is not in his hands, but the hands of the dissatisfied Americans. If there is a war between the North and the South, it would be started by the South. Lastly, Northerners and Southerners need not be enemies, rather they should be friends.

President John F. Kennedy

Lincoln saying that the issue of Civil War is not in his hands is similar to John F. Kennedy telling Americans "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." The similarity is that the presidents are telling the people in their inaugural address that they are in control, and the people have the power to dictate the course of the country.

LAD #13: Calhoun's Speech

John C. Calhoun

Calhoun says that from the beginning, he believed that the issue of slavery would end in disunity. He unsuccessfully requested that both parties try to prevent the disunity, and now the Union is in danger. it is up to the government to find a way to preserve the Union.

The first thing to do to answer that question is find out what endangered the Union. The clear answer is the discontent in the South, which began with the issue of slavery and has only increased. To take a step back, what caused the discontent?

It is a mistake to say that the discontent originated with politicians who wanted to further themselves by encouraging the discontent. Rather, the politicians of the South wanted to keep the people quiet, since encouraging discontent would weaken or even destroy the political ties uniting the people in the North and South. However, preserving quiet was not enough to prevent the discontent, so there was another, more powerful cause of the discontent.

The cause is the belief in the South that the people can not remain in the Union, given the present state. Why do they believe this? The movement towards slaves' rights in the North is threatening life in the South. Also, the equality between the North and South when the Constitution was ratified no longer exists - the North controls the government. This control will only increase since Oregon and Minnesota, along with three others that were formerly Mexico's will be added to the North.

No additions to the South appear to be on the horizon. There is going to be many more Northern states, Senators, Congressmen, and electoral votes than there are Southern. This destroys the former equilibrium. Had this been a natural process, then the South would have no reason for complaint, but the imbalance was caused by legislation - the Northern territory was greatly increased, decreasing the portion left for the South. If not for the Ordinance of 1787 and the Missouri Compromise, immigration in each region would be equal, as would the population and number of states in the north and south would be equal. Also, much more taxes were imposed on the South, and more of the money from the taxes went to the North. Having the wealth concentrated in the North increases the population of the North since immigrants are attracted to the region. All of this has created a sectional majority.

Slavery in the South is very important to the social structure, while in the North it is viewed, at the very least, as a stain on the character of the nation, while some go so far as to view it as sinful. In the South, without slavery, will be in poverty, and this is the justification for slavery. Disunion will not occur in one blow, it will occur by a series of blows. The issue of slavery was a major blow, and has put America on the path to disunion.

How can the disunity be prevented? By settling all issues between the North and South. This has to be led by the North, by conceding territory so that it is equal between the sections, and by ending the slave dispute, and amending the Constitution so the two regions are once again equal. Will the North agree to this? It is up to her, but if she loves the Union like she says she does, then she will. The responsibility of saving the Union rests on the North. If no agreement can be reached between the Senators, then their states part in peace. Calhoun says he has expressed his opinions fully and has fulfilled his duty to the best of his ability, and he is now free from all responsibility.

An image depicting the Mexican-American War

Calhoun's speech is similar to the Mexican-American War since like the North and South, there was disunity between America and Mexico, and territory was a main dispute. And, like the Mexican-American War, if an agreement could not be reached, war was necessary to solve the problem. After Calhoun's speech, an agreement could not be reached between the North and the South, so the Civil War occurred.

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

President James K. Polk

Polk starts by saying that he was convinced that it would be okay to resume diplomatic relations with Mexico since the American government expressed a desire to establish peace with Mexico, and has treated Mexico fairly, to the point where it seemed that the two countries would have permanently friendly relations. So, diplomats were sent to Mexico with the goal of resolving their differences. Even though it was agreed upon that a meeting in Mexico would be held, and the communication between the two countries seemed to be friendly, the Mexican Government refused to listen to the diplomats, and have gone so far as to invade America and kill American citizens.

Polk then elaborates on the failed attempt at diplomacy, saying that the US minister for foreign affairs asked if the Mexican Government would be okay having a meeting with American diplomats to resolve their disputes. He received a positive response from the Mexican minister. So, Polk sent John Slidell to communicate with Mexico, discussing the Texas border among other things.

Polk said he believed that the Mexican Government did sincerely want to solve the problems, however they succumbed to the hatred from the revolutionary party. So, they refused to meet with Slidell. General Herrera soon after surrendered the government to General Paredes and resigned the presidency - the revolution had been accomplished by the army, and thusly the supreme power and the supreme power in Mexico was in the hands of a military leader.

Determined to make peace, Polk directed Slidell to ask to meet with General Paredes, and he was declined, so Slidell came back to America. Polk then says Mexico showed no dignity in rejecting Slidell after they agreed to meet with him, and it is nothing the American Government did that provoked Mexico to not speak with Slidell.

Polk ordered a military force to go to Texas and meet an invasion by Mexican forces, an invasion motivated by Texas wanting to annex itself to America. As a territory that's about to be part of America, it is the duty of America to protect her people and her land. The military remained until Polk was told by Mexico that the Mexican Government would refuse to meet the army.

However, the Mexican forces became threatening, and American troops were sent to the Rio del Norte in case the Mexican troops crossed or were preparing to cross the river. The Americans were surrounded and were forced to surrender.

Polk said that business with Mexico, once mutually beneficial, has been permanently damaged. America's restraint in going to war was ineffective, and had America militarily handled the mistreatment from the Mexicans, it would have escaped the current situation. Instead, America is dealing with Mexico, who wants a war to reclaim Texas. America has tried everything and cannot reconcile with the Mexicans, and now Mexico has invaded America and attacked American citizens - the two nations are now at war.

Polk finishes by saying that the war was caused solely by Mexico, but America's participation is necessary since it confirms its honor and allows America to pursue its interests.



President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Polk's War Message is similar to President Roosevelt's declaration of war on Germany during World War II. In both instances, the president believes war has been provoked by the other nation, and war is required to stop the mistreatment.



LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

The Roll of Honor with the signatures of the people present at the convention.

The women alter the Declaration of Independence to include women - "all men and women are created equal." They relate the "usurpations and abuses" of Britain on the colonies to those of men to women. The women say that if it is written that the colonies had the right to overthrow a government that had absolute power, then they can demand equality with men, who up to that point had absolute power.

Next, a series of grievances are listed that provide evidence that women are not equal, including that women cannot vote, do not have rights that even the most ignorant and degraded men" (natives and foreigners) have, and cannot go to college. The women demand to have the rights and privileges they wrote about that they lacked at the time.

The women end by saying that it is accepted as a principle of nature that humans can pursue their own happiness. Then then list all the ways they are unequal to men, and resolve each issue by proving how it violates the principle of nature or the word of God. Any law saying women are not equal to men should be regarded as false.



The text of the Civil Rights Bill of 1866

The Civil Rights Bill of 1866 is similar to the Seneca Falls Declaration since it was a step in the right direction for a group often discriminated against to being respected, or at least acknowledged, by the majority.