LAD #22 McKinley's War Message

25th President, McKinley

"In the name of humanity...the war in Cuba must stop". President McKinley said this to congress on April 11th 1898. He was speaking about the war in Cuba against there mother country, Spain. McKinley recognized the losses this war had on America even though we pledged to stay neutral. Although he was unhappy with the trading conditions, he also believed Cuba was at risk. He wanted America to stay neutral throughout the war, but it was difficult considering the disturbance the war had on Americans. He asked congress if he could intervene in the war for four reasons.
1. To stop the inhuman behavior and horrible bloodshed.
2. For the American Citizens in Cuba, they must be protected because the Cuban government is too weak to protect them.
3. The effect the war had on trade and commerce in America, causing the economy to fluctuate.
4. Cuba is so close to us, and we see it in harm so we must protect them which will not only save them now, but help us in the future.
McKinley continues by stating that the Maine, an American ship, was destroyed, making it obvious that although America wants to stay neutral, it is being pulled in, whether they like it or not. He finally states that it is up too congress on whether to enter the war or not, and he will leave it up to them for making the decision.

LAD #21/Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie, was a very successful business man who made his profits from iron, steel and railroads. In Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth, Carnegie addresses the economic gap between the rich and the poor. Because of Industrialization, the gap had become even greater rather than the small differences in the previous years. Carnegie, no doubtfully believed that the wealthy, upper class need to be present in a growing society for the fact that they stimulate the economy. Carnegie also talked about his disbelief in inheriting wealth because it was not good for the economy, instead he believed money should be handed out to charities, business and family during one's life time. That way the money would be of value during their lifetime, rather than lose its value after their death. Carnegie finishes by saying that it is the wealthy man's duty to help the economy and the other people in the economy.

LAD #20 Emancipation Proclamation

Although the Emancipation Proclamation was short, it was to the point and very significant. On January 1st 186, this document declared any slave in a rebellion state, would be free. Lincoln recognized the slave states as, Arkansas, Texas, Parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina and Parts of Virginia. Lincoln stressed that the freed slaves were all to be excepted into the Country as citizens, and the Citizens and government were asked to recognize them as so. Lincoln also adds that all free slaves will be excepted into the US Army to do various jobs. Hopeful Abraham Lincoln was hoping this document to make the Civil War simmer down and create a united country again.

LAD #19 Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address

In 1865, Lincoln states how he is the same person and has the same opinions as he did since his last presidency. He mentions how in his last address, he mostly spoke about the civil war, but now he wants to move forward and create a better America. A great portion of our population are black slaves and Lincoln felt it was strange that all Americans are people, and they all pray to the same god, but for some reason the issues are so large, that it led to war. He lastly says that in order to create a strong, united nation, American people need to create peace and work together.

LAD #18/ Dred Scott vs. Sanford

   In the 1850's, when America was at it's breaking point, a famous case took the Supreme Court, The Dred Scott vs. Sanford. This case,clearly defined the northern abolitionist, and the pro-slavery south. The decision was purely up to Roger Taney, and because of his decision, he got a lot of hate, and it was argued to a great extent. Taney, did not want any blacks, slave or free to be able to get the rights the whites had. Taney believed that even Scott was never a full citizen, although he was free, can not sue the Federal court. Taney looked to the constitution, where slaves and property are not differentiated  so he told Dred Scott he was still a slave, and was forced to go back to the Missouri territory. This highly controversial issue, caused a greater hatred among the United States, which led its way to the out break of the Civil War.

Blog #17/ Sojourner Truth "Aint I A Woman?"

"Ain't I A Woman?"

     In 1851, Sojourner Truth, a black woman, performed a very moving speech about rights for not just white woman, but black woman as well.  She calls out two major issues, racist and sexists. She questions why woman are constantly being seen as helpless and weak, when really, woman can do anything. She also doesn't understand why white woman are treated so much better than black woman, but "Ain't (she) a woman?"  While she is a woman of the south, she doesn't quite understand why the woman of the north are treated very nicely and with respect. Although they both have few rights, "Ain't (they both) a Woman?" She also questions why woman are seen as dumb or, less smart than men, but she really doesn't care about that, because she would rather have respect. Truth ends her argument, with men would be nothing without woman; they wouldn't be here without a woman.

Blog #16/ Frederick Douglas "5th of July"

"5th of July" Speech

    In 1852, Frederick Douglas, a former slave made this speech in Rochester, NY. Frederick Douglas is responding to the celebration of Independence day, or Fourth of July. Prior to the Civil war, Independence day was taken differently by Blacks than Whites. Douglas felt this celebration was very hypocritical of the government, because America wasn't truly a free country. Although it was free from Britain and any other power, there was a major population who were not free, these people were the slaves. Douglas goes on to explain how the every day lives of the slaves, for lack of a better word, sucked. They were poorly treated by their owners and were really abused by them. Douglas's speech is significant because of his idea of a "5th of July", a new freedom for blacks, a time where blacks and whites can both be free. Douglas ends his speech by saying "There is not a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States at this very hour." Abolitionist, along with other slaves, realized that America treated slavery differently, Americans based slavery on Race.