LAD #10/ Monroe Doctrine

James Monroe

  On December 2nd, 1823, President Monroe addressed all of the European powers. James Monroe says that the Europeans may not colonize any more of the "new world" from here on in. Powers including Russia, Great Britain and the Untied States, have all agreed that it would be best if colonization ended and they only focused on Domestic problems. Monroe was worried that any attempt to colonize any nations near or around the United states, would be a threat to America's security. Not only would we feel threatened, but we would have to make appropriate actions. This document, created a new idea of Independence for nations like Mexico and Chile and allowed these nations to become independent.

LAD #9 Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Thomas Jefferson
The Second President of the United States of America

 Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated as the second president of the United States in 1801. He was very modest in the beginning and really tried to get the people to understand that they are "All in this together." Jefferson expresses the importance of the Constitution, which, although he finally agreed to it, he was an anti-federalists prior. This made Americans feel like they should trust, and follow the constitution, because their own president is representing it. He continues to say that although he doesn't have all of the talents needed, the constitution and the people will continue to empower the "rising nation." He believes that the constitution  as well as the citizens will help guide america to power, as well as make it the thriving nation it will soon become. He encourages the people to trust the new Federal Government for it is not only stronger than ever, but it does give the individuals the natural rights they desire and deserve. Jefferson continues to say that the people must always trust the government for it is being run by the people, as well as only hopes to benefit the people. Jefferson truly believes that if  the people trust the government, then he will be able to work with the governed to his fullest potential. Jefferson closes by restating the importance of working together, which will allow "Infinite Power" to the people, that will eventually lead to "...Peace and prosperity."

Columbus Blog #8

Is Christopher Columbus a hero, or a villain?

Christopher Columbus

     In elementary and middle school, I was taught about the greatness of this man who was the founder of America, and "sailed the ocean blue in 1492". I learned that he was the first person to discover this country I am so very happy to live in, but what teachers failed to teach me was the fact that he not only was arrogant  he was not the only person to get the credit for founding America. Yes, I do appreciate the man  for the mere fact that he "founded" this country, but also that I get a day off of school for him, but after reading about him, I learned that maybe we give him to much credit, and although he did have many accomplishments, so did many other people that do not get nearly enough credit as he did.
      Christopher Columbus, upon his arrival in the New World, did not treat the natives with respect. He had entered their land, and treated them as if they were inferior to him. He captured and sent many natives back to Spain as slaves and the ones he left alone, he traded with them very unfairly. This was the just the beginning of the poor treatment of the Native Americans. Although I do understand that it was the time period, some may blame Columbus for starting this poor treatment. The Spanish  including Columbus were so "gold-hungry" that they would do anything to get gold. This poor treatment led to, in the years to come, the caste system created by Spanish Conquistadors, so the Spanish could keep their supremacy. 
     On the contrary, Columbus did make many advancements that led to the faster development of the new world. Although other explorers had run in to the Continent before, Columbus was the first explorer to make a lasting European contact with America. Columbus was a very hard worker and stopped at nothing to reach his desires. For example, he worked very hard to get money from the queen to be able to travel to the New World because he believed that something good would come out of exploring new land in the west. Also he spread the Christian religion to America and the contact that he was able to create with the new natives, led to eventually the creation of the United States of America.
     Some may hate Columbus, but some may look up to him as a hero who benefited the American society. He killed, punished and overall, treated the natives so poorly that I believe his accomplishments cant be compared. If he were really a good man, and a hero, would he treat people so horribly?