LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

In Washington's Farewell Address he announced his retirement as his second term as president was coming to an end.  Although there would be another election to decide who the next president would be, Washington told the American people to get ready for a new president, as he would not be running for another re-election.  He went on the say that he missed retirement and the low stress that came with it and had wished to retire after the first term, but felt the country was not stable or ready for his departure.  He said that he was grateful that the U.S. and the Constitution were created and that the Constitution will remain a vital part of the country for many years to come.  Washington then goes on to say how excellent the newly created government is in that it was created by the people.  Next he talks about how the country is flourishing due to the diversity of the areas.  The northern and southern states compliment each other with their distinct ways of life.  Also the eastern states are helping the settlers in the western frontier as the country continues to grow.  Washington states his firm belief that it is this union that will keep America strong.  No matter what happens, the states must not let it damage their unity.  He also asks that people abide by the laws of the Constitution because it is another important part of the inexperienced government. Another topic Washington covers is political parties.  Washington urges Americans to not form political parties as it will only divide the nation and create extremists who may rebel.  Washington also asks the American people to remain neutral in foreign affairs and only interact with other countries for trade.  Lastly, he tells Americans to preserve their honor and integrity to create a peaceful society.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

In the Proclamation of Neutrality 1793, George Washington explained his decision on how The United States should respond to the war between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, on one side, and France on the other.  He decided that what was best for the new country was to remain neutral and impartial in the war.  He then instructs the American people to do the same, not helping out any side.  He goes on to say that if any Americans are caught aiding any side of the war, then they would not receive any protection or backing from the United States.  Lastly he says that anyone who is caught will also be punished by the United States.

LAD # 5: Federalist #10

1) Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

The difficulty in eliminating factions can be found in the means by which it was created in the first place.  For factions to arise, there needs to be a certain degree of liberty and freedom.  Therefore one way to eliminate factions are to get rid of this liberty and freedom.  Yet, this is not a reasonable option because it was the same liberty and freedom that America was built upon.  The second requirement for factions to emerge is differing opinions.  People need to have opposing views on things in order for there to be different factions.  So, one could try to get everyone to believe the same things and have the same views so that factions wouldn't exist.  Still this is also a bad option because not everyone is the same, and everyone grows up in different settings which yields differing opinions.  During these times the main cause of factions was unequal distribution of land, which caused people to have differing views.

2) If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
Like in the ways to eliminate factions, there is more than one way to control factions.  If a faction is part of a minority then it can be controlled through democratically voting with the majority overruling the minority faction.  If the faction makes up the majority of the population, then it has to be controlled differently.  In this case, one must try to get the minority people to speak up and express any differing opinions so that there is it least a discussion as to what actions should be taken.  Factions can also be controlled through picking representatives for different areas, along with uniting the states.  This unification can help control factions because even if a faction may be strong in a specific area, other areas have differing opinions and ideas, along with their own representation.

Blog #4: Revolution Article

5 Things I learned after reading "Rethinking the Revolution" by John Ferling.

1) After the end of the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers realized that to some extent they would be able to create how the revolution was viewed generations into the future. An example of this can be found in George Washington's attempt to improve his legacy by correcting grammar in his early correspondence.  Also, Washington recalled the French and Indian War for his biography, yet he made sure to leave out an unflattering details.  These actions show the other side of the pancake to what most people learned; the Founding Fathers, Washington in particular, were men of "unblemished virtue".

2) Unlike many beliefs today, the Civil War may not have been the most deadly war, as far as percentages go.  In the Civil War, 1 in 5 soldiers died.  Yet, during the Revolutionary War 1 in 4 soldiers of the Continental Army died.

3) During the American Revolution, artists did not accurately illustrate the reality of war. This caused many people, even to this day, to have distorted views of what really went on.  All of the most popular paintings of the war during this time were without anyone firing a gun or any dead bodies on the battle field.  This has left people to believe that the Revolutionary War was not as bloody and violent as it actually was.

4) Life as a soldier was often composed of just trying to survive when fighting had temporarily ceased.  When invading Canada, hungry soldiers were forced to eating pet dogs, and making soup from boiled shoes to stay alive.  Along with this, harsh winters brought problems in that most soldiers did not have proper clothing, and some were even left "entirely naked".

5) Lastly I learned that the civilians during the Revolutionary War suffered much more than I previously thought.  Many towns were completely wiped out by disease, especially in the first autumn of the war, spread by traveling soldiers.  Also, Indian attacks on the frontier led to many civilian deaths.  Even within the colonies American Tories fought against the Whigs, which led to many more deaths.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

Summary of the Declaration of Independence
1) Democratic Principles:
In writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson included many democratic ideals that he believed were necesary in government.  The first to be mentioned were the unalienable rights of man.  These rights included life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Next, Jefferson wrote that another democratic principle is that people have a right to abolish their goverment and create a new one if the current government does not meet the needs of the people.  For this right, he believes that the colonies have the right to rebel against Great Britain.

2) Grievences:
Along with describing democratic principles, Jefferson listed the many grievences that justified the colonists' rebellion.  First Jefferson described how the King did not allow colonies to pass laws of immediate importance and instead made the colonists wait until he allowed the law to be passed.  Next he says the King George forced soldiers to stay in people's homes without a war going on.  Along with this he says that in many cases, colonists were not allowed trial by jury, a basic right for many years in England.  Jefferson goes on to say that the King George dissolved the House of Representatives when they did not agree with his ideas.  Lastly Jefferson says that because of King George's actions, the colonies coasts were destroyed, towns were burned and the lives of the colonists were destroyed.

3) Conclusion:
Jefferson concludes the Declaration of Independence by stating that because of all Britain's actions, the colonies rightfully declare themselves independent states, free from Great Britain.  He goes on to state that as independent and free states, they have the right to levy war, establish international commerce and make peace with other nations.

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1) Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was a German immigrant who moved to New York City to become an apprentice to the printer of the New York Gazette.  In 1733, he was hired as the printer and editor of a new newspaper, the New York Weekly Journal.  In this, Zenger criticized the New York Governor, William Cosby.  Cosby caused dispute after prosecuting the interim Governor, Rip Van Dan, as well as removing a Chief Court Justice. Zenger's critical comments of Cosby continued until he was arrested and charged with seditious libel.

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

 Controversy arose from these charges because many believed that if the comments made were true, then he could not be charged with sedition, no matter how defamatory they were.  If Zenger lost this case, then it would mean that newspapers could no longer say anything negative about a person with authority without having to fear being arrested.  Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that because Zenger's statements were not seditious libel because they were all true.  After proving this in court, the jury agreed with Hamilton finding Zenger not guilty.

3) What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

 Zenger's case influenced American governmental tradition, in that it provided courts with a model on how to deal with cases concerning seditious libel.  After the outcome of this case, a defendant had to simply prove that their comments were true, and then they would be found not guilty.

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

The lasting significance of this trial is that it became the first major example of freedom of the press.  Now one of the fundamental laws in America, this case was the first to confirm that the press has a right to say tell the truth, no matter how critical it is.

LAD #1 Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut:

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

One of the main concepts included in the Mayflower Compact is the idea that the main purpose of the settlers is to advance the Christian faith.  Also, another important concept is that although they are dissatisfied with King James, they will remain loyal to him.  Lastly, the Mayflower Compact describes the settlers goal to establish a form of democratic government that will create just laws.

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

The Mayflower Compact reflects an attachment to the "Old World" by stating that the settlers want to remain loyal to their King James.  It shows how they want to create laws, ordinances, and acts, in the same way these laws were set up in the "Old World".  Along with this it shows a new attachment to the "New World" by describing how the settlers how to create a more democratic government, along with self-rule.

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

Unlike the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders established a confederation of neighboring towns.  Along with this, it was much more of a constitution in that it included written laws and explained how a new government would be set up in greater detail than the Mayflower Compact.  It described how officials would be elected as well as the extent of power that each position had.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach of government?

The colonists of Connecticut were prompted to take this approach of creating a new government because they were combining the towns of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield.  In the creation of a single commonwealth, there grew needs of a stronger, more unified government along with written laws.

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? 

This fear of one or a few people seizing too much power is reflected in the many laws that were put in place to prevent this from happening.  First, the Fundamental Orders states that all officials were to be voted on and elected by the people.  Most importantly however was that no person could be chosen to be governor above once in two years, eliminating the chance of a single person building up too much control.