LAD 18 McKinley War message

In 1895 Cubans waged war with Spain wanting to gain their freedom. Soon after the United States joined the war too after the U.S.S. Maine was sunk by the Spanish. In McKinley's War message he stated that the war between Spain and Cuba was heavily affecting America. The war was affecting Americas economy because it damaged trade between Cuba and America. McKinley believed that the war had been going on for too long and it was time America stepped in, either helping out one side or breaking up the war as a neutral force. He decided to take side with Cuba, so that America could defend itself, its trade, and Cuba too. For America to maintain its freedom and strength in its economy it must go to war against Spain.

LAD #16 & #17: Douglass and Truth

Douglas Speech Summary

Douglas's speech was held on July 5th 1841 in Rochester New York. Opening the speech Douglas asks why he has come to speak the day after July 4th Independence day, he said that for him and other slaves it meant nothing for they were still slaves and not independent. He goes further into saying how the 4th of July is not a good day for slaves and instead a bad one like all the other days as a slave. He describes the hardships of being a slave, and talks about how slaves suffered on the 4th of July. Douglas then brings up the constitution and bible and says that african americans are people too, that all races are equal. In essence the 4th of July was simply a day marking independence for only white Americans, and for slaves it was nothing but a reminder that they were still slaves.

Truths' A'int I a woman

On May 29th 1851 Sojourner Truth spoke to a group of women at a convention in Ohio. Truth touched upon the many unfair things and rights that women did not have compared to men. Although Truth was african american she took a different approach in the speech and said that if both african american and white women worked together for womens rights they would truly be a force to reckon with. In this speech Truth was able to fight for womens rights and anti slavery at the same time. The speech was able to gain lots of support for anti slavery and womens rights.

LAD 11

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was a document created  to protect/create womens rights. The document was written at the first womens rights convention in Seneca Falls. At the convention both men and women attended convention. the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was based off the United States Declaration of Independence. In the document their was a list a sentiments, examples:

He has never permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise.

He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice.

He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men - both natives and foreigners.

The document also included a list of resolutions for the sentitments, examples:

Resolved, That all laws which prevent woman from occupying such a station in society as her conscience shall dictate, or which place her in a position inferior to that of man, are contrary to the great precept of nature, and therefore of no force or authority.

Resolved, That woman is man's equal— was intended to be so by the Creator, and the highest good of the race demands that she should be recognized as such.

Resolved, That the women of this country ought to be enlightened in regard to the laws under which they live, that they may no longer publish their degradation by declaring themselves satisfied with their present position, nor their ignorance, by asserting that they have all the rights they want.

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was the first of its kind and was a major step in the future of womens rights.

LAD 10

The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy statement that declared the western hemisphere was off limits for European colonization. The doctrine was created by James Monroe December 2nd 1823. The doctrine stated that any European country that tried to colonize land in the western hemisphere would be seen as commiting a hostile act toward America. The main goal of this was to stop European powers from trying to get Spain to regain territory they had in the western hemisphere. The doctrine was tested in 1865 when the French were found in Mexico, a mass of American troops were placed on the Rio Grande River to enforce the doctrine. In 1904 President Roosevelt expanded on the doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary which stated that if there was "wrongdoing" by and Latin American state America had the right to intervine in its foreign affairs, this then became known as the Spheres of Influence.

LAD#8 Columbus Blog

Was Christopher Columbus a hero or villain? It is clear that through his cruel and merciless behavior Christopher Columbus was a villain. Despite whether or not Columbus made the discovery of America for Europe it was not on purpose. He was actually looking for water route to Asia for spices and other goods that were profitable and rare for Europe. Even if he had discovered America on purpose he still would not be a hero for the atrocities he committed to the natives of that land. Hero's do not kill and exploit others for their own benefit. Columbus killed, exploited, and enslaved thousands of native Americans who had treated him with such care. Those are the opposite acts of a hero, making Columbus a villain. Although the atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus can certainly not be forgotten they are heavily overshadowed by his discovery. Without the discovery of America at that time the world as we know it would be very, very different.

Washington's Farewell Address LAD #7

Washington's Farewell Address was a message to the American people that he wrote September 1796 that had three major principles America should follow as to public affairs. The first was that conflict and hate between different groups of people should be put to a rest, because unity would highly benefit the nation. Second "the baneful effects of the spirit of party" should be "muted" because they threatened the liberty of people and impeded the President to guide the nation in its best interest. Third America shouldn't have permanent alliances with other countries but rather make alliances when needed, so that America would not be dragged into foreign affairs by its "permanent" ally. Despite the Farewell address many people were against it and only the third principle was followed. If the other two principles had been followed certain events could have been avoided.

Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality LAD #6

George Washing wrote the Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793. The main goal of the Proclamation was to stay out of the conflict between Britain and France. The Proclamation assured that America would stay out of the war between Britain and France. Despite Americas neutrality in the war Britain captured hundreds of American trading ships. Britain's acts angered already furious Americans and made them want to join the French side of the war even more. Washington felt that the best way for America to grow and become stronger as a young nation was to focus on itself and stay out of foreign affairs.