LAD/Blog #7 Washington's Farewell Address

Washington's Farewell Address 1796

   After serving two, four year terms, George Washington felt that it was necessary to let another be the head of the great nation. Although the people wanted him to continue leading the country, he encouraged the people to limit the number of terms, so they would not return to the monarchy, that the people were so unhappy with. Within the address, he gave advice to the Americans on what he believes needed to stay the same, change or revise and avoid in order to keep the country moving forward.

Washington's Farewell Address 1796

     He encourages all Americans to be united and stay united, or independence will have no hope. He states that it is not only important to be loyal to your state, but to the country as well. The towns, cities, states, and Country needs to be unified as one. Each one making the other even more important. He also address the need for not having different parties, for it will pull the country apart. 

     Another thing Washington addresses is the newly written constitution. He says that it is much better then the Articles, for it allows the central government more power. If the people were to follow it, the country would be safe from any internal wars. He also addresses the importance of adding new amendments, if the government is not doing its job.  Washington backs up the checks and balances system, for it will keep the United States a democracy rather than a monarchy or even a dictatorship.

     Washington argues the importance of money management and foreign relations. This will help our nation grow and stay strong. He states that although the country and individuals should not partake in any foreign war, they should do their best to keep the relationships with all other countries strong. He also states that their should be free trade with other countries, to keep the relationships strong. 

    At the end of his address, he takes full responsibility for any mistake he has made, making him just like every other common person.  He is very proud of the nation that he, along with many others were able to create. 

LAD/Blog #6 Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

The Proclamation of Neutrality 1793

In Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, he insists that the United States does not partake in any foreign war. The United states should stay neutral and provide no help to either side. He also says that any American that helps or supports one side, will no longer be under the protection of America. The people who support a side in a foreign war, will be punished. He is very adamant in not having America be caught up in a foreign war or any other foreign conflicts. 

George Washington

Republican Motherhood

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifely to Republican Motherhood?
    During the Revolutionary War, woman played an important role, to raise and bring up the youth of the colonies/states well. "It is here she can best serve her country, by training up good citizens..." (Doc. A) The Mother of the family, was now not only responsible for household chores, but bring up the children, especially the boys well, that are trained to be successful. While the men were fighting, it was important that the woman had a good education in literature, as well as liberty and government to teach her sons (Doc B). The revolutionary war not only changed the nation, but it also transformed the woman from a caregiver to a Republican Mother that was an important aspect to the children's lives.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on woman?
   The consequences of the Republican Motherhood on the woman can be both positive and negative. The woman were certainly given more responsibility because they were 100% responsible for the children's upbringing (Doc A). Woman were also allowed and able to get more schooling and a better education, that would help them in the future (Doc B). On the negative side, woman "may never herself step beyond the threshold" (Doc D). This making woman very contained and still had very limited rights. As well as the woman had a lot of pressure to raise their family right (Doc D).

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?
    The Republican Motherhood, were baby steps to reach the society we live in today, and where woman fit in socially. "to prepare you for the duties of social and domestic life" (Doc B). The woman were starting to get an education, basic but an education none the less. Also the mother was a huge impact on her children's lives, and for each generation, the children got a little bit more education, making their lives better then the next.

Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons

1. Describe the setting.
  The background looks like a simple home with basic walls and furniture. There is no sign of a father, and the mother is in the middle, representing her importance. She is holding her 2 children.
2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?
   The Mother is the center of the portrait because of her sole importance in raising the children and keeping the house going. The woman looks content and happy to be there with her children. She is not aristocratic because the way she is holding her children, and although she is wearing a dress, it is simple and an everyday outfit.
3. What values do her sons exhibit?
Her sons exhibit her purpose. Her sole job is to raise the boys into good men, and teach them the importance of liberty and government. The children also look happy and well behaved, traits probably thought by the mother.
4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham's arm?
 The arm represents her love for the boys, and her enjoying taking care of them. She is with them everyday, and her arm shows how she is glad that she has the two boys to care for and teach everyday lessons.


                                                                           

LAD/Blog Post #5 : Federalist Papers No. 10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

James Madison, Author of Federalist Papers No. 10

    A faction is a group of people who can be either a majority or an minority that are aligned because of  their passion for a certain subject or interest. It is so difficult to eliminate factions because of the boundless enthusiasm they have, also they often unite to make it even harder to eliminate it. The factions are so strong and open about their opinions that unless you take action to remove them, it is nearly impossible.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
    Based on the previous question, it is very hard to completely eliminate or remove factions because of their passion and the fact that they are so united. But, if the faction is the minority, it can easily be eliminated by a vote because they would be out voted by the majority. However, if the faction is the majority, that can be a little more difficult. Some may suggest a complete change in the government, for example a republic. A republic, ruled by only the elected people rather then the population as a whole, may be good, besides the fact that the factions may get their way completely if they are the elected. Factions are very difficult to remove and can cause a lot of stress and unneeded drama that the government needs to take care of, to support and do the best for the people.

LAD/Blog #4 Rethinking the Revolution

George Washington crossing the Delaware

After reading Rethinking the Revolution, I learned....
1. The Founding Fathers, and the wealthy Americans, were constantly worrying how the war and themselves would be remembered, so many of them wrote biographies about themselves that express there positive effects.
2. The Civil War is known as a modern war, The confederates and union forces were able to mobilize their arms and supplies at an equal scale of World War II. Because of the time period, the camera was available to show the war in a more modern perspective.
3. Adams, predicted that Washington was going to be able to win the War of Independence single-handedly. War was fought in the south and north, and the French were not as helpful in the Victory as we think today.
4. The Revolutionary generation was long gone in the years coming up to the Civil war, all the people had were the memories, that may not be as accurate as the people thought.This caused the two wars to be seen in two different lights.
5.  The conditions the soldiers went through during the Revolution, were not as bad as the historians tell us, besides the Winter at Vally Forge.

LAD/Blog #3- Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence

1. Democratic Principles-
     The Declaration of Independence was a major stepping stone, to help American reach the democracy we live in today. A majority of the Declarations lists democratic principles that still exist today. Thomas Jefferson's ideas of the "unalienable rights", life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Also the idea that the government is responsible to making sure the people have this rights. Another principle would be the government always considering and doing things based on the needs of the people. The government is chosen by the people, and the people have the right to alter or abolish the government if it is becoming destructive.

2. Handful of Grievances-
     All of the grievances, point out something that Great Britain has done, to upset the colonists or make the colonists feel inferior to their Mother Country. Most of them a political in nature and resemble what the colonists do not want. Some of the grievances include, Britain not doing what is necessary for the colonies as a whole, governors not being allowed to pass laws, dissolved any Representatives of the colonists, and keeping armies in the colonists even though it was a time of peace.Near the end of this section, Jefferson, blames the British for all of the problems and even says "destroyed the lives of our people". This truly, represents the hatred to the British and the colonists stating they are their own people, and no longer relate to the British. 

Signing the Declaration

3. The Conclusion-
     The conclusion, explains how the United States can no longer live the way the British expect them to live. It also explains why there is no way the United States can be run by the British because of the distance and difference between the two nations. And finally, it specifically says, "United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States;", completely declaring their independence from Great Britain.


 

LAD/Blog #2: Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger

      John Peter Zenger, a publisher of a newspaper in New York, came to North America from Germany in 1710. In his newspaper he was critical of the royal governor. Because he did this, he was sent to prison and at his trail he was defended by Andrew Hamilton. After Hamilton plead the case to the Jury, the Jury declared him not guilty. 

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

               The readers of the newspaper, believed that Zenger was speaking the truth, and not telling lies. This lead to the people questioning Zenger being charged. Hamiltion, spoke to the Jury directly, convincing them that he was in fact telling the truth, and if he was telling the truth, why should he be punished. With that, Zenger was not guilty.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
          Zenger's trail, had great influence on the American legal system, Lawyers now were seeing a new outcome for libel or the punishment for print cases. This case made the people and the lawyers see more and more libel cases having a new outcome.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

            This trail, had a lasting significance on not only Americans, but it was the start to freedom of the press. Also, this case made more and more people write the truth, as they see it, in the paper without worrying about the consequence. After the trail, newspapers, all over, could now criticize whoever and whatever, as long as it was true.
 

    

LAD/Blog #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of CT

Signing the Mayflower Compact

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

         The concepts in the Mayflower Compact include, just and equal laws, the men, when they reach Virginia, will meet to discuss what would be good for the colony, and the men, who are acting like the government, promise Obedience and submission to the colony. 

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

            The Mayflower Compact reflects and shows it's attachment to the "Old" world because it states, "...and the Honour of our King and Country..." Meaning that although the people on the Mayflower are attempting to create laws and a new society, they are still going to honor the King, as well as the Country everyday. The Compact also reflects and shows its desire for creating a colony in the "New" world because although they are not completely written out, it is a start for the Virginia Colony to create a society different from England, that has its own laws, acts, constitutions, ect.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

          The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut or 1639 is different from the Mayflower Compact because the Orders of Connecticut created a government that can function because of the specific laws, while the Mayflower Compact was more of an agreement the Pilgrims made. 

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

           Connecticut was not well organized prior to this document. The people decided that they needed order and fix the problems that the people were living in. They also were hoping to establish peace and union between the people. 

5) In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

       The Fundamental Orders are very specific and the people were very careful in making sure the government was set up democratically. The people always had to vote for their officials/rulers making it very unlikely that one person or a few people could rise up and take complete control.