Blog #26: William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech

William Jennings Bryan made a very famous speech on July 9, 1896 at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Bryan aspired to be the Democratic nominee for President, so he gave a speech that was so dramatic and passionate that it riled up the crowd quite a bit. In this speech, he addresses the issue of the rising value of gold and the decreasing value of silver. He even mentions that old leaders are being replaced if they show opposition to the coinage of silver. He argues that the gold standard is only destructive to the country, and that it is important to restore bimetallism in order to maintain a prosperous America. He says that the gold standard is worth fighting against, and that this must be done in order to protect the commercial and labor interests of the people. Bryan closes by saying, “you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold” (hence the name of this speech). In other words, he believes it is unjust to implement the gold standard because it only prevents Americans from opportunity that would help benefit the country.

William Jennings Bryan

Jackson implemented the Specie Circular in 1836, which only allowed gold and silver to be used to purchase land rather than paper money. This is similar to the gold standard that Bryan was opposed to, because that was also a change in the value of money.

Blog #25: The Dawes Act

The Dawes Act begins by stating that the President of the United States has the right to survey any Indian land if he sees potential agricultural opportunity in that land. It also states that he has the right to separate those lands into specific amounts for certain groups of Indians. For each head of the family, 1/4 of a section can be separated. For single people over 18 years old, 1/8 of a section can be separated. To each orphan child under 18 years old, 1/8 of a section will also be separated. Finally, to each single person under 18 or any people who will be born before the date that the President allots land, 1/16 of a section will be separated. If there is not enough land to divide into said proportions, the land will be divided equally. 

Section Two of the Dawes Act states that the allotments of land should be selected by the Indians. For example, parents are allowed to choose specific land for their children and agents are allowed to select for orphans. This ability to choose was much better for the Indians. However, if any Indian did not make a selection within four years after the President alloted land, the Secretary of the Interior might direct the agent of the tribe to make the selection for the Indian himself.

Section Three of the Dawes Act explains that when land is allotted, it must be recorded in the Indian Office, transmitted to the Secretary of the Interior, and deposited in the General Land Office.

Section Four of the Dawes Act says that if any Indian who does not belong to a reservation tries to settle on land not allotted to him or her, then they must apply to the local land-office to have land allotted to them. 

Section Five explains that the United States will hold the allotted land for 25 years, for the sole purpose of benefiting Indians. However, the President can at any time extend this period of time, and any contract going against the President's decision shall be null/void. This section also says that any agricultural land will be preserved by the government for actual settlers. It even says that Indians who obey the Dawes Act will be treated better than those who do not.

Section Six stresses that all people on the specified allotments are still required to obey the law of the state they are in, and no state can pass any law that denies Indians equal protection of the law. Any Indian born within the United States and who has adopted the habits of civilized life can be considered an American citizen and can have the rights of such. 

Section Seven says that where land is used for agricultural purposes, the Secretary of the Interior is allowed to give out rules and regulations to assure equal distribution among Indians. 

Section Eight states that this act does not apply to certain tribes (and it lists these tribes).

Section Nine says that $100,000 is set aside for the reservations, but is to be repaid by the sales of the land.

Section Ten says that nothing shall get in the way of the right of Congress to give Indians allotted land.

Finally, Section Eleven closes the Dawes Act by stating that the Southern Ute Indians will be moved to a new reservation (with the consent of the tribe).

The Land Grant College Act in 1862 set aside land for the construction of colleges. This is similar to how the Dawes Act set aside land for Indian reservations.

Blog #24: Populist (People's) Party Platform

The following made up the Populist Party Platform in 1892:

1. The Preamble

The Preamble starts with the People’s Party stating that they are happy to be meeting, as the country’s corruption must be addressed. They then argue that the United States has such a large focus on industrialization and money, that the rights of the people are being ignored. They say that working conditions are bad, opinions are silenced, hard-earned money is robbed from the people, and only the millionaires really have a chance at prosperity. The price of silver has decreased, adding to the value of gold and decreasing the value of property and human labor, and if this is not addressed, it can lead to the destruction of civilization or too much power in the hands of the wealthy. The Party goes on to explain that the wealthy are sacrificing others for their own corrupt profit. They then say that their goal is to restore power to the common man (“plain people”), and that those desires line up with the Constitution (“form a more perfect union and establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity”). The Populist Party closes their statements about the Preamble by stating that since the country is faced with new and difficult conditions, if given the power, they will correct these evils with fair legislation.

2. The Platform

The Populist Party’s Platform touches on several different points. First, the union of labor forces within the United States should always be allowed, and its purpose (to fight for rights) should be the spirit that is felt throughout America. Second, wealth belongs to the people who earn it, but money taken from an industry without payment in return is considered robbery. The party believes that “if any will not work, neither shall he eat.” They also believe that both rural and civil businesses should be treated equally. Concerning finance, the Populist Party demands national currency that is issued only by the general government. The party goes on to state more specific demands: that coinage of silver and gold is free and unlimited, that the amount of circling currency be increased to $50 or more per capita, that the income tax increases, and that the money be kept in the hands of the people (state and national expenses should be paid by gov’t and savings banks should be established). The Populist Platform also believes that the government should own and operate the railroads and telegraphs for the peoples’ benefit. Finally, concerning land, this party’s Platform believes that it should not be monopolized, and all lands held by railroads/corporations or owned by aliens should be taken back by the government and held for settlers only.

3. The Resolutions that made up the Expression of Sentiments

The Populist Party’s Expression of Sentiments is separate from its Platform, but is expressive of the previously stated issues that are now solved. The issues resolved include: the demand of a free ballot and fair count in elections, lowering income tax for industries, pledged support of fair pensions for ex-Union soldiers/sailors, restriction on undesirable emigration and protection for American workers, acceptance of labor unions and enforcement of the eight-hour law on government work, the idea that mercenaries (the Pinkerton system) should be abolished, agreement of the initiative and referendum, limits on the President and Vice-President’s office to one term and allowing a direct vote of the people to determine the election of Senators, the prevention of supplying national aid to any private corporation, and finally, the idea that this convention supports the Knights of Labor and their competition with Rochester clothing manufacturers, which they believe all who hate tyranny should not purchase the goods made by these manufacturers.

These are campaign buttons for the Populist Party (1892)

Donald Trump can be called a Populist because he appeals to the common man and not just the elite.

Blog #23: McKinley's War Message

Causes that led McKinley to ask Congress for the declaration of war:

1. The once prosperous America was now left with poor commerce, decreased productiveness, ruin, and perishing people.

2. Due to neutrality laws, America was under an obligation to watch its seaports to protect the Cubans from any unlawful actions by other countries.

3. Considering that both sides were quite stubborn, it did not look like a truce would happen any time soon.

4. The horrors within Cuba were right next door to America, so America had a responsibility to stop such violence, especially seeing that it could be a potential danger to its own people.

5. America owed its citizens in Cuba protection (since their government would not and could not provide it), and also set out to destroy the conditions which prevented those people from legal protection.

6. The conditions in Cuba posed as a threat to America's peace (trading issues, seized vessels, etc).

7. Destruction of the battleship Maine in the harbor of Havana (February 15th) filled America with horror, especially since 250 soldiers and marines and 2 Navy officers died.

8. If war was a success, it would make America look even better, and if it was a failure, it would only justify America's decision to try to fix the conflict.

William McKinley, 25th U.S. President

When WWI began, President Woodrow Wilson declared that the U.S. would stay neutral, but America's opinion began to change when the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, killing 128 Americans in addition to many others. This is similar to America's attempts to stay neutral during the Spanish American War, because this plan also changed when the country began to feel threatened and the battleship Maine was destroyed.

Blog #22" Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

In Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth, he discusses that wealthy people have a responsibility to benefit society by spending their money responsibly and using it for the greater good. He starts his article by conveying the message that there is a price to be paid for the law of competition and free markets and the resulting stratification of a population. The benefits however, such as progress and greater material development as well as better living conditions are worth it. He believes the idea of capitalism or individualism and the right to private ownership is a far better system than socialism or communism, because although the wealth can become concentrated in the hands of the few, it is still where society has “produced the best fruit.” 

In a way, Carnegie is saying that the government should implement the policy of laissez-faire, which means that the government should keep their “hands off” of businesses. 

Social Darwinism ties into Carnegie’s beliefs because he believes that when the government leaves people alone, they have greatest opportunities to rise to the top, and that the best of these will go farther than the others and prosper. Social Darwinism connects to this because it is a theory by which social order is considered the product of natural selection and those best suited to existing living conditions will thrive when a position of laissez-faire is advocated.

Carnegie’s philanthropic beliefs were that the rich should distribute their wealth to causes they believe would benefit society. This is similar to people today such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet who have given sizable donations to different organizations that were important to them.

Warren Buffet gave a large donation to charity, and is now the third richest man in the world.  This can be compared to Carnegie's beliefs because he also believed that giving money to causes he cared about was important.

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft gave a large amount of money to  a foundation he cared about. This is similar to Carnegie's belief that giving money to causes that one is passionate about is important and can benefit society.

Blog #21: Emancipation Proclamation

The purpose of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was to declare freedom for the enslaved people in America. He begins his Proclamation by claiming that all people previously held as slaves are now free, and the government (including military and naval authority) cannot prevent those people from being free any longer. Lincoln then goes on to list all of the rebelling states, and establishes the fact that all enslaved people within these states are henceforward free. He explains that states that continue slavery are considered in rebellion with the United States, while states that have representation in Congress are not considered in rebellion. Lincoln says that the newly freed people have a responsibility to work hard for their wages, and they must not engage in violence unless it is for self-defense. He then explains that the people who are in good condition will be received into the armed forces to help the country if need be, and expresses that this opportunity of freedom and service is an act of kindness.

The Declaration of Independence can be compared to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation because both declared freedom for a certain group of people. The Declaration declared the independence of the United States from Great Britain, and the Emancipation Proclamation called for the independence of slaves from their masters.

Blog #20: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

Since many necessary words were already spoken during Lincoln’s presidency, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address is not as long as his first. He explains that both the North and the South tried to avoid war, but when war did come, it was the South who provoked it. Nonetheless, nobody suspected the large extent of blood and horror that the war brought on. Nobody suspected that the issue of preserving the Union would be settled before the issue of slavery would be. Lincoln then goes on to quote the Bible, saying, “woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.” By saying this, he is basically confirming his belief that the war was brought on by the South and that they were unjust in their position. Lincoln finishes by saying that without anger toward anyone, but rather with love from God, Americans should strive to regain peace within the nation.

President Harry Truman gave a speech concerning the surrender of Germany that is similar in some ways to Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address. Similar to Lincoln’s Address, Truman mentions God and says that He helped the nation obtain its victory over Germany. Finally, Truman hopes for peace, just as Lincoln desired for the nation at the close of the Civil War.

Blog #19: The Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott was a slave who was property of Dr. John Emerson. When Emerson died, his wife Irene Sanford hired out the Scotts to work for other families. Desiring freedom, on April 6, 1846, the Scotts filed a lawsuit against Irene Emerson. Scott had been in free states before, so he hoped to become free based on the policy Missouri had previously followed of "once free, always free." 

Although Scott was finally declared free in 1850, the verdict was reversed in 1852 by the Supreme Court because the system of "once free, always free" was invalidated.

Emerson's estate was soon given over to John F.A. Sanford, and Scott's lawyers swiftly filed a suit against him in the U.S. Federal Court, which found Sanford in favor. 

When this reached the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Robert Brooke Taney avoided every aspect of antislavery constitutional thought and ruled Scott not free. He argued that whatever status Scott may have had while in a free state or territory, once he returned to Missouri his status was based solely on local law, and therefore he was no longer free. 

This case relates to the Missouri Compromise because it declared the Compromise unconstitutional, declaring that slaves could never be U.S. citizens and would therefore never be free. As a result, the Missouri Compromise fell and the idea of "once free, always free" disappeared once and for all. 

Taney was firmly against Dred Scott's ability to sue in the first place. He argued that African Americans could not sue the Federal Court because they were not citizens of the U.S.

Chief Justice Robert Brooke Taney

Dred Scott

Plessy v. Ferguson can be compared to the Dred Scott Decision because both cases resulted in a bias ruling by the Supreme Court. In the Dred Scott Decision, the Court ruled Scott not free because of their bias, and the Plessy v. Ferguson case upheld segregation laws based on their bias. In addition, the case replaced the gains from post-Civil War reconstruction with Jim Crow laws.

Blog #18: Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" Speech

In Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech, she conveys the message that women are not weak as many people perceived them to be during this time period. She says that many men think women cannot do things for themselves, but she (a slave) was always forced to do things for herself. Sojourner states that she has done hard work and has been through hard times (planted, gathered into barns, saw many of her children sold off into slavery with no people to console her). She explains that while some men view women as weak and think they need to help them with everything, she has never been treated with care. Her response to this is, "ain't I a woman?" Her overall message is that while many women are fighting to prove they are strong, people like herself have already proved that women can be strong. Yet, for Sojourner, she never got help or care from anyone in the first place. In a way, it's as if she is saying, "why are we so focused on women's rights when the issue of slavery is so large?”

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments can be compared to Sojouner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech because both Truth and the Declaration expressed the idea that women are both independent and strong, contrary to what some men thought at this time.

Blog #17: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" Speech

Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech is significant, because the fact that it was said on the day after Independence Day represents two important ideas. One is that behind the celebration of liberty is the true hypocrisy of America, and the second is that after such hypocrisy, there is hope for a better future and independence for slaves. Douglass begins his speech by establishing that he has much respect for America's founding fathers, yet he goes on to say that he is not included in that independence because while America has provided many citizens with prosperity and freedom, it has only provided him with blood and death. He explains that to make him celebrate the Fourth of July is almost mockery, and he questions whether the people mean to mock him by making him speak on this day. He compares this to the Hebrews remembering Zion and saying, "How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" In other words, Douglass cannot celebrate the land in which he has been tortured. Rather, he explains that he views this day as a reminder of true liberty, and in the name of crushed slaves, the Constitution, and the Bible, Douglass states that he will not stand for the horrors going on within the country. 

Douglass goes on to explain that every man knows in his heart that slavery is wrong. In fact, if slaves can be punished with crimes, it only proves that they are moral, responsible, and intellectual beings. Douglass explains that he will not argue any more in depth to convince America that slavery is wrong, because it was America who came up with the principle of "all men are created equal," and therefore to explain this would be an insult to the country. Rather than argument, action must be taken. The Fourth of July is only a seemingly joyous cover for the horrible consequences of slavery on many African Americans. 

Nonetheless, Douglass explains that while these crimes are bloodier than any other nation at this time, he has hope for the future and respects the genius ideas that are stated in the Declaration of Independence. He ends his speech with the aspirations of William Lloyd Garrison, which express hope and overcoming the institution of slavery.

Frederick Douglass

Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was written to challenge the institution of slavery that tortured and killed so many people in America. This is similar to the purpose of Frederick Douglass' speech, which expressed the reason he could not celebrate Independence Day with the rest of the county- because the horrors of slavery still raged within America.

Blog #16: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

During the Civil War, Lincoln presented his Gettysburg Address on a battlefield where many brave people had died. He begins by saying that the founding fathers had brought together America with the proposition that all men are created equal. Lincoln explains that while the world may not remember what is said on the battlefield, people will never forget the sacrifice that soldiers made for the prosperity of America. Lincoln urges the people that they must continue fighting for the cause that their fellow citizens died for. He concludes with encouragement, saying that under God America shall have a new birth of freedom, and "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" (democracy) shall not perish. Instead, the great country of America will go on!

Lincoln gives his Gettysburg Address

In Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, he encouraged Americans to keep fighting, claiming that the Union would come together and the country would prosper. Similarly, in Winston Churchill's famous speech regarding Dunkirk, he mentioned recent allied military losses and encouraged Americans to "never surrender." He claimed that we would "fight on the beaches" and do whatever possible to defend the United States.

Blog #15: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln begins his First Inaugural Address by stating that he has no intent of interfering with the institution of slavery. In other words, he will not tell the States exactly what they can and cannot do regarding the issue of slavery. Instead, he wants people to consider a few points for themselves. The first point is that the Constitution says that someone who escapes from slavery to another state is not truly free unless their master (or whoever they work for) allows them to be. Lincoln explains that although the Constitution is important, the Union was established first and therefore comes first. In fact, one of the declared points for establishing the Constitution was "to form a more perfect Union." Lincoln also makes it clear that he will not use any type of defensive force against the South unless they threaten the government. He explains that the resolution to the slavery issue is ultimately up to the people, but that they cannot let it split the country. He stresses the importance of taking time with any decisions, and points out that God has not let the country down and will guide all decisions. He concludes by emphasizing that despite differences within the country, the American people are not each other's enemies. They are friends, and the Union must not fall.

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address can be compared to Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, because both Presidents gave their advice on handling separation within the United States. While Lincoln's Address touched on the issues of slavery (North vs. South), Jefferson's Address talked about issues between the Republicans and Federalists.

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

In John C. Calhoun’s speech on the Compromise of 1850, he voices his opinion on how the Union must be saved. He explains that the controversy over slavery will only end in disunion if action is not taken to prevent it from doing so. He says that what endangers the Union is the discontent in Southern states, which started with the slave question and has increased ever since. 

He goes on to explain that there is an unbalanced government because the North has dominance while the South remains unable to protect itself against oppression. A large part of the North’s power is due to the vast amount of land they gained, allowing for the addition of new states. In contrast, the South does not have nearly as much land and does not have any territories in progress. When the North tried to gain Mexico and excluded the South from this deal, it only furthered tensions. In fact, if the South had been included in the Ordinance of 1787 and the Missouri Compromise, immigration may have been divided and the North and South may have had equal populations. Also, if the South had retained equal rights in the territories of the North, it may have had an equal number of states, balancing the government. 

Knowing this, Calhoun asks the question of how agitation will be stopped within the U.S. He explains that disunion is a work of time, and that the slavery question had already destroyed some of the most important elements of the government, and has weakened the rest. Calhoun says that the Union can only be saved if the North adopts measures that satisfy the South, making them feel honored and safe within the Union. To do this, the North must give the South equal rights to new territory and include an amendment in the Constitution prohibiting slavery. 

In short, through this speech Calhoun voices his opinion that the preservation of the Union rests on the North. He wraps up by saying that whatever happens is not his responsibility because he explained how the Union could be preserved, and the North can choose to either take responsibility or disregard his opinion.

Calhoun's speech on the Compromise of 1850

When Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he did so hoping that by freeing slaves in rebellious states, those states would become economically weak and have no choice but to remain part of the Union. This can be compared to Calhoun's speech, because he stated how the Union could be saved, and Lincoln was also hoping that he could somehow save the Union by signing this Proclamation.

Blog #13: Polk's War Message

Polk’s War Message was sent to Congress to explain why his quest for peace with Mexico failed. He explains that he asked General Herrera if he could send an American envoy to negotiate peace, and the General agreed. Polk soon sent John Slidell to discuss the Texas border. However, the Mexican government refused to listen to his propositions and sent him back to the United States. When Polk continued to defend Texas (because it was clearly the United States’s), Mexico threatened the U.S. Polk then explains that Mexico had shed American blood on American soil, and that Mexico had refused to follow treaties. Polk says that he truly believes both the United States and Mexico can benefit from commerce with each other, but that is no longer an option because Mexican-American boundary issues over Texas have turned into a war, which was completely the doing of Mexico. He concludes by stating that it is America’s duty to defend the honor, rights, and interests of the U.S.

James K. Polk

  

The XYZ Affair can be compared to the struggles Polk faced, because in both instances two countries would not agree. Just like how Mexico was disputing with the U.S. over Texas territory, the XYZ Affair was when France tried bribing the U.S. and would not just flat-out agree to the commercial agreement America wanted (disagreement in both examples).

Blog #12: Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments

The Declaration of Sentiments states that all men and women are created equal and are given by their Creator certain inalienable rights. Among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Governments secure these rights by permission from the people, but whenever a government becomes destructive, the people have the right to refuse the government and request a new one. Women have experienced this, and they have the right to demand equality because they are entitled to it. Throughout history men have had a role higher than woman. This role includes control over property rights, representation, jobs, and even divorce details. Women were even denied education, barely recognized, and were not allowed to have truly meaningful roles. However, the Declaration of Sentiments insists that because women were so often treated unequally, they have all the rights and privileges that belong to them as citizens of the United States. Relying upon the “final triumph of the Right and the True, 68 women and 32 men signed this document. 

1) Democratic principles: Equality, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech (voice in government)

2) 5 grievances: 

-men have taken all property rights and wages from women 

-men have deprived women of representation in government 

-men get to choose the causes of divorce as well as who gets the children after the divorce 

-men deny women the resources they need for obtaining for obtaining a thorough education (women not allowed in colleges) 

-men do not allow women to become wealthy or well-known because they save those positions for themselves

3) As a result of women feeling oppressed and deprived of their rights, the declaration insists that women have immediate access to all the rights and privileges that a citizen of the United States should have.

4) 5 notable names:

-Frederick Douglass

-Harriet Cady Eaton

-Elizabeth Cady Stanton

-Lucretia Mott

-James Mott

One woman who did not sign the Declaration of Sentiments was Sojourner Truth. This is surprising because she was a women's right activist.

Statues of attendees at the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, NY

The Declaration of Sentiments granted women inalienable rights that every American citizen should have. This can be compared to the 19th Amendment, because it gave women the right to vote, which was something that women never before had, but as U.S. citizens had the right to obtain.

Political Cartoon #3

Chloe Smith

Mr. DeCarlo

APUSH- 2nd period

5 November 2018

King Andrew the First: Political Cartoon #3

This political cartoon was created around 1833 and depicts Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. Jackson is dressed as a king in this cartoon because at the time, he was beginning to be seen as a monarch-like ruler. He did not consent other parties before making decisions, and instead made decisions solely on what he wanted. Americans did not like this because they believed in democracy. Therefore, this cartoon negatively portrays Jackson as many Americans saw him at the time- as a president acting far too much like a king. He is stepping on the Constitution and a document labeled “Internal Improvements U.S. Bank” in the cartoon because of his failure to follow both of these documents. In his hand he holds a rolled up paper labeled “veto” because in July 1832, Jackson vetoed Congress’s bill to recharter the Bank of the United States. This faced much controversy from the American people. Many believed he was purposely trying to be a dictator.

The cartoonist is trying to convey that Jackson is not fit to be leader of a democratic country. Instead, he is acting too much like a monarch and disregards documents that America values. Rather than acknowledging the voice of the common man, Jackson wants to do everything himself without consent from others. The cartoonist wants Americans to recognize this as a large problem, and realize that Jackson does not represent the values the U.S. upholds as valuable and essential to success.

The impact of this cartoon is that people began to recognize (if they had not already) the failure of Jackson to lead the country according to American democratic values. It reassured people that Jackson was not who Americans wanted to call “President.” It also confirmed that Jackson was acting too much like a king and that the people wanted a president who would value the voice of the common man.

Blog #11: Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine's purpose was to establish the details of the American foreign policy. It made clear that European powers should respect the U.S. It also stated that the U.S. would not get involved with European foreign conflicts, and did not want Europe to establish more colonies in the West. In addition, it made clear that if Europe tried to mess with America, the U.S. was prepared to defend itself. The U.S. also did not want political systems forced on them, and aimed to stay out of foreign conflict as best they could.

The Monroe Doctrine stated that the U.S. did not want to interfere with foreign nations unless threatened. This political cartoon depicts Uncle Sam with the Monroe Doctrine, telling other nations to keep "hands off" and stay away from the U.S.

The Monroe Doctrine stated that if the U.S. was messed with, it would defend itself. NATO is similar to this because if one nation in NATO was attacked, all nations in NATO would defend. Just like the Monroe Doctrine, it was a means of protecting a nation by establishing some foreign policy.

Blog #10: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Thomas Jefferson begins his Address by saying that he is grateful for being nominated President of the United States. He also expresses his relief that there are "other high authorities provided by our Constitution" in which he can find wisdom and help among difficulties. Jefferson then goes on to say that although the will of the majority will have much influence, the minority also has equal rights which the law protects and must not violate. 

Rather than be divided by parties, Jefferson urges people to unite "with one heart and one mind." Concerning partisans, he wisely mentions that "every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle." In other words, American citizens have the love of liberty and unity in common, and although they may be divided by different parties, in the end, that common love can keep everyone together.

Jefferson says that the United States pursues equality and allows for freedom of religion that is practiced in various forms. He then acknowledges that God as has all the power, and notes that God "delights in the happiness of man here and his greater happiness hereafter -- with all these blessings." 

He explains that a wise government is also crucial because it restrains men from harm and leaves them free to pursue their dreams without taking away their hard-earned money.

Jefferson then goes on to explain the essential principles of our government: equal and exact justice for all men; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations (entangling alliances with none); the support of State governments and their rights; preservation of the General Government as our peace at home and safety abroad; freedom of religion; freedom of press, and many more. He says that our country fought for these rights and that people have died to attain these rights. He views these principles as "the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety."

Jefferson closes his Address by saying that people may not like him at the end of his presidency and he may not be as loved as George Washington, but he will try his absolute best and would never do wrong intentionally. He says he will try to "retain the good opinion of those who have bestowed it in advance." He states that he relies on the peoples' good will and that he will retire when it is the best decision for the country. Jefferson then expresses his desire for God to guide the government so it will do what is best for the country, and that the government will highly value America's peace and prosperity.

George W. Bush's 9/11 Address to the nation can be compared to Jefferson's first Inaugural Address if we focus on the very end of Bush's speech. He says, "This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace." As you can see, Bush called for unity in a time of crisis and mentions that we can have unity because most people share the common love of liberty and peace. This is similar to Jefferson's first Inaugural Address because he calls for unity among Americans even though the divisions of political parties are present.

Blog #9: Columbus

Chloe Smith

Mr. DeCarlo

APUSH- 2nd period

8 October 2018

                                                   Was Columbus a Hero or a Villain?

Many people argue that Columbus was a murderer and far from a hero. However, people often change the truth about Columbus, and leave out the many positive things that he did and the heroic traits that he possessed.

Given that Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States is a very biased opinion of Christopher Columbus, using such a resource is difficult to explain the reason why Columbus is a good man. It argues that Columbus is not a hero because he kidnapped, enslaved, and killed countless of the generous Indians without reason. However, many people had slaves in that day, and most of these people didn't quite comprehend the misery that the slaves actually faced. In addition to this, it was a critic of Columbus's (Bartolome de las Casas) that said Indian slaves should be replaced with black slaves because they were stronger and could survive. He too didn't realize the dehumanizing effects of slavery until after his idea was put into action. 

As for the killing and kidnapping, relations actually started out well. Columbus even specifically instructed his crew not to take advantage of the Indians. The Indians he originally met (the Tainos) told Columbus of other violently savage Indian tribes that lived on the Isla de Carib. When the settlers entered some Carib huts, they found cotton rugs and cuts of human flesh. Natives also destroyed the first settlement Columbus created, and they killed some of the Spanish and burned their buildings to the ground. Of course, when Columbus killed Indians it was horrible as well, but certain tribes were extremely savage and cruel to begin with, and Columbus was actually defending himself by fighting back. In fact, in Zinn's book it is mentioned that the Aztecs were only generous to Hernando Cortez because they thought he was a god, and that they killed thousands of people not in defense, but because they believed they were making sacrifices to their god. This is an example of the lives Indians sacrificed every day, so when people say Columbus was a murderer, they should examine the Indian's practices as well.

Finally, let's not forget that Columbus discovered this wonderful country we live in. If it weren't for him, our country would not be what it is today, and the whole course of our history could be different or even non-existant! I would have liked to reference Zinn's book more, but it is extremely biased on the topic of Christopher Columbus and does not fully describe his success of landing upon America or give any support for his many accomplishments. 

Christopher Columbus (dressed as a friar so he would not be killed and eaten by the Carib tribe)

Vaso Nunez de Balboa can be compared to Columbus in a similar way, because both were Spanish conquistadors and discovered something new. Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean, and became the first European to lead an expedition to have reached the Pacific from the new world. He discovered a new route, similar to how Columbus discovered new land.

Politcal Cartoon #2

Chloe Smith

Mr. DeCarlo

APUSH- 2nd period

2 October 2018


                                                                Political Cartoon #2

The “Rise it Will” political cartoon was published in the Massachusetts Centinel in 1788. Each column represents a state in the order that they ratified the Constitution. The two pillars at the end represent North Carolina and Rhode Island, and they are falling down because they had not yet ratified the Constitution like the other states. The poem at the bottom of the cartoon compares the states that had ratified the Constitution as stars within a dome. In other words, those states (represented as pillars in the cartoon) keep the dome (the constitution) stable. The title “Rise it Will” refers to the belief that all of the states would eventually support the Constitution.

The Cartoonist developed this cartoon in order to encourage others that the Constitution would soon be ratified by every state. He acknowledges the fact that only eleven states had ratified the Constitution thus far, but he believes the North Carolina and Rhode Island can still do the same. This is made obvious by the words “The foundation good- it may yet be saved” next to the crumbling pillars, as well as the hand holding North Carolina pillar and preventing it from hitting the ground. The Cartoonist included these details to highlight the fact that the last two states were not completely out of the question concerning the ratification of the Constitution.

The “Rise it Will” cartoon helped encourage hopeful Americans that the Constitution would soon be ratified by all thirteen states. It was correct in predicting that North Carolina and Rhode Island would soon ratify the Constitution. This cartoon also further supported the idea of unified states under one Constitution (pillars supporting one “dome”). This cartoon depicted the Constitution as a crucial step in building a strong country, and viewed the lack of North Carolina and Rhode Island’s ratification as something that would turn around with time.