LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

Washington wrote his farewell address near the end of his presidency when it was clear he would not be running again.

He warned the people against disunity. Unity is the "main pillar in the edifice of your independence." The American people should think of themselves as Americans above members of their states. The US should not have an "overgrown military" and shouldn't get involved in foreign wars. The Constitution is better than the old Articles, and even though it is based on the people's right to change their government, they must wait and oblige the Constitution until it is changed. The people shouldn't form political parties because that would be divisive. The parties may bring liberty in a monarchy, but they only distract in a republic. Religion is the moral basis of public prosperity. The government should achieve a balanced budget and avoid taking on debt. He defends his Proclamation of Neutrality, wanting the US to stay isolated and avoid foreign entanglements.

Through the opening and closing Washington is humble, saying that any accomplishments during his presidency were due to the people's support. He approaches his farewell address as "the counsels of an old friend," and he did not mean to make a strong impression.


photo- http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel06.html

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Summary:

1793: The United States declares itself neutral in the war happening in Europe. US citizens should avoid any act that contradicts this declaration.








photo- http://mikesapamericanblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/washingtons-proclamation-of-neutrality.html

LAD #5: Federalist #10

Why are factions so difficult to eliminate? Factions are "sown into the nature of man." They are hard to eliminate because every mind is different and has different opinions. People will collect into groups with people who think the same way they do. The government can't control this natural organization without taking away the liberties of the people. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

In a democracy with a smaller body of citizens, it's easier for a faction to get a majority. In a wider-reaching republic, the opinions and movements will be more varied. It is more difficult for an idea to take hold with a majority unless it is really in the best interest of all of the people. A larger republic is one way to control factions.

photo- http://theconstitutionandbillofrights.weebly.com/the-federalist-papers.html

Republican Motherhood Blog

What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

The Revolution accompanied the spread of Enlightenment ideas to America. This included the idea that a stable democracy requires its people to be virtuous. It then falls in the hands of the mothers of America to educate their children to be good, virtuous citizens. "The solidity and stability of the liberties of your country rests with you; since Liberty is never sure, 'till Virtue reigns triumphant…" (Doc C)

The Revolution also allowed women to take part in public life through boycotts, petitions, and protests. This created a louder, more assertive class of women.

What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

The standards of education for women were raised. Women were expected to be learned so they were capable of educating their children. They were more respected and valued as keepers of the nations conscience.

What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?

It was a step above the servitude pre-Revolution. It didn't introduce women to the public sphere but the ideology gave value to work in the domestic sphere.

Describe the setting.

A sofa, a plain background with the golden edge of a mirror or circular painting in the upper corner.

Who serves as the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?

The woman is the center of the portrait, because she is the center of home life. She appears content, and put-together. Her hair resembles the wigs of the aristocracy, but she doesn't wear jewelry and a she is wearing a simple, elegant, gray dress, typical of the time period.

What values do her sons exhibit?

They are postured and polite, but the portrait captures the restlessness of the son on the woman's lap. They appear to be content, well-behaved children.

Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham's arm?

She appears to be restraining or protecting her child. It represents the woman's role as an educator of good behavior, and it represents her responsibility to care for the children.

photos- https://sites.google.com/site/womenssrightss/republican-motherhood

http://apush-by-e-pers.blogspot.com/2011/09/republican-motherhood-mary-gibson.html

Blog #4: Revolution Article

"Rethinking the Revolution"

1. People can use history to manipulate how the past is remembered.

2. It is thought that the Civil War was bloodier than the Revolutionary War, but this is not true. It is only remembered as such because the Civil War is primarily a war, secondly a revolution, where the Revolutionary War is primarily a revolution, secondly a war.

3. The Revolutionary War was honored by the first generation as a military victory, but after the War of 1812 the viewpoint shifted to focus on the political victory of the Revolution.

4. Battles of the Revolutionary War were fought at a close distance: home plate to 2nd base on a baseball field. The battles included bayonet charges and hand-to-hand combat.

5. In the Revolutionary War soldiers had a 10% chance of dying on the battlefield and a staggering 50% chance of dying in captivity.

photo- http://www.cr-cath.pvt.k12.ia.us/lasalle/Resources/Rev%20War%20Websites/courtney%20allison%20marisa%20rev.%20war/Marisa%20B.%20Rev%20War/Images/war%20pics.jpg

LAD #3: The Declaration of Indepence

The Declaration of Independence, summarized in three parts:

1. Democratic principles
     -all men are created equal
     -all men have rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
     -the power of the government comes from the governed
     -if the government doesn't protect these rights, it is the right of the people to change or get rid of it, and put a new government in place
     -the King of Great Britain (George III) has attempted to establish tyranny in the colonies

2. List of some of the grievances
     -prevented people from migrating west
     -"he has…subject[ed] us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws"
     -"quartering large bodies of armed troops among us"
     -"cutting off our trade with all parts of the world"
     -"imposing taxes on us without our consent"
     -"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people"

3. The conclusion
     -"Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury"
     -King George III, "a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
     -therefore, the colonies are "free and independent states" and have full power to "levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do."

photo: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Declaration_independence.jpg/1280px-Declaration_independence.jpg

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

Who was John Peter Zenger?

He was the printer of the New York Weekly Journal. He criticized Governor William Cosby.

What was the controversy over his charges?

He was charged with seditious libel. The judge, among others, wanted to imprison Zenger because he published the article even though they were true. Alexander Hamilton, Zenger's lawyer, appealed to the jury, asking them to change the question. It was obvious that Zenger had published the articles. Hamilton asked them to answer the question (basically) of "Are these statements false or true?" If the articles criticizing the governor contained false information then Zenger should have been found guilty of seditious libel. However, the facts were true, so Zenger hadn't committed seditious libel, he had simply stated the facts. He was therefore found not guilty.

What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

Hamilton changed the definition of libel from "any statement against the government, true or false" to "a false discrediting statement". Sedition, and being imprisoned for it, from this point forward, was not a part of American governmental tradition.

What is the lasting significance?

His case set the precedent for later freedom of the press (included in the First Amendment), a necessary component of a democratic government.

Photo- http://peerie.adaptive.net/faces/full/2/37948-582636.jpg

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

A reproduction of the Mayflower Compact, and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower Compact includes the basic ideas of a democracy, the idea of a political body and that people can govern themselves. It states that the "Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices" are for the "general Good of the Colony". This is part of the idea that the power of a government comes from the people themselves, and not from God or King James in this case. The Mayflower Compact also makes reference multiple times to the Christian Faith ("Glory of God", "Advancement of Christian Faith", "in the presence of God") showing how these people were devout Christians.

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

The Mayflower Compact reflects the attachment to the Old World because the signers refer to themselves as "loyal subjects" that have undertaken a voyage for the "Honour of King and Country". Even though they are in the New World they see themselves as subjects of King James. The Mayflower Compact reflects the attachment to the New World by the "civil body Politick": a commitment to democracy, not absolutism.

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

The Mayflower Compact is a general agreement, a general promise. It doesn't say specifically how the government would run, and it wasn't meant to be used as a constitution. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut describes in detail the workings of a government. The Fundamental Orders is closer to the current US Constitution because it gives exact instructions for a government where the Mayflower Compact is only a promise of a future government.

What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach (a written constitution) to government? 

This was the time of Absolutism and Divine Right Monarchy in Europe, governments that were run without a constitution. Without a written constitution, it was easier for one person to take control, and the colonists didn't want that. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut followed the model of previous colonial charters, specifically the Massachusetts charter.

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

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut provides for a General Court and an election of a Governor by a body of voters. The General Court has all legislative, executive, judiciary and administrative powers. It orders "no person be chosen Governor above once in two years" (4th Order). This makes sure that no one person can have control of the government for an extended period of time. "None of these courts shall be adjourned or dissolved without the consent of the major part of the court" (10th Order). This is reminiscent of the Stuart Kings who would dissolve Parliament if they didn't get what they wanted. This order, in combination with the others, makes sure that no one person can have too much power.

photos-

http://www.indianamayflower.com/uploads/documents/Mayflower%20Compact%20Reproduction.pdf

http://connecticuthistory.org/the-fundamental-orders-of-connecticut/

All right, new year, new subject: AP US.