LAD #18 Dred Scott Decision

The overall decision of the Dred Scott case was very controversial. The supreme court justice acted the same as John Marshall and sat on the case and did nothing. The end decision was that Dred Scott was considered property and could not be freed. This was one of the main reasons why the republican Abraham Lincoln had been elected into office the following election due to the northerners resentment towards the verdict.

LAD #17 Sojourner Truth: Ain't I Woman?

Sojourner Truth's speech was revolutionary for all women at this critical transition period for women and African Americans as a whole. She begins by saying women work just as hard as men and go through just as much as them yet they are treated poorly. At a time when other people rarely saw the other side of the pancake, this was eye-opening because many women began to realize that the way they were bing treated wasn't right and there was room for improvement. Her comparisons between women and men were very accurate by saying that Christ was born from a woman and by denying other women of equal opportunities they aren't representing their church the way they should be treated. Sojourner Truth's speech was one of many in this time period addressing issues from then that still relate today in very similar ways.

LAD #16 5th of July Speech Fredrick Douglass

In Frederick Douglass' speech he explains the meaning of The Fourth of July for the African-American population. Frederick Douglass goes on by saying he supports the signers of the Declaration of Independence for putting the people before their wants and needs. He also says that America has been contradicting due to the fact that slavery goes against the freedom they fought for. Douglass further extends his negativity towards the slave trade and comparing the treatment of slaves to animals, he also says negative claims about the profits made in the slave trade. Frederick Douglass continues the argument by saying churches who aren't speaking out against the poor treatment of African-Americans and not standing up for the people as a whole. Frederick Douglass also calls American principles as inconsistent by only giving some people individual rights and freedoms. Douglass closes his arguments by saying the anti-slavery movements will over-power the negativity faced towards the African-Americans.

LAD #13 Calhoun's Address to the Senate

Calhoun's address to the senate begins with him addressing the issue of slavery. He begins by saying the 3/5 compromise was a necessary compromise to balance the amount of representatives. Now he says that the including of 5 new states will create an unconstitutional unbalance in the senate, this is also controversial due to the fact that the South has no new states for admission. Calhoun also believes that tariffs are separating our nation and giving the north a benefit. Calhoun also believes that if the North gives the South its rights to represent new territory, return fugitive slaves, get over slavery. Calhoun believed this would create and equal representative in the government.

LAD #12 Polk's War Message

Polk's war message is a detailed explanation for America's right to invade Mexico. Polk first sent diplomats to negotiate peace in Mexico, but in the height of the revolution the Mexican government decided that it wasn't necessary to negotiate peace with The United States. As an alternative, Mexico went to war with The United States and several deaths resulted in this war. Despite all of the deaths, Polk felt that the war was necessary.

LAD #11 Seneca Falls Declaration

The Seneca Falls Declaration is a document written and modeled after the declaration of independence the Seneca Falls Declaration describes the certain unalienable right for both men and women. The Seneca Falls Declaration describes the importance of women and how their rights aren't being protected and they aren't viewed as equals in society. The Seneca Falls Declaration ALSO has a list of the discriminating acts towards including denying women the right to vote, right to enter colleges and certain places of education, etc.

LAD #10 Monroe Doctrine

1. What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?
The Monroe Doctrine expressed that America was willing to negotiate a friendship between Russia and America, and create an alliance. It expressed the fact that America was branching out to other foreign nations to create alliances, but to never permanently stay.

2.  What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?

Adams' hope was to develop a policy of its own to preserve Americans rights

3.  What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone or American Foreign Policy?

" It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in hope that other powers will pursue the same course. . . "

Columbus Blog

Christopher Columbus was a slave trader who murdered several men and took valuables and men away from families. What Christopher Columbus did was amazing for the world at the time, but was bound to happen at some point in history. I consider Christopher Columbus one of the greatest scumbags in the history of our human race. He murdered and enslaved thousands of people, all for religion. Although the average educated person considers Christopher Columbus a hero, I do not. I  consider Christopher Columbus a selfish, curious murderer. Although the extra day away from school is nice, the basis for the holiday is pointless. In my opinion its almost like celebrating the murders of the crusades because new land was discovered, and more money was beneficial for the mother country providing the funds of the quest, but at what cost? In conclusion, Christopher Columbus should be considered a villain more than a hero, due to his treatment of the Native Americans during his voyage to the new world. 

The Federalist Papers: No. 10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Because they're created by the people who are united by common goals and interests. The only way to nullify the faction is to take away the freedom of the people, which is a key role of the faction, and having everyone share the same opinion. If everyone shared the same opinions then the U.S.would be disregarding one of the most appealing aspects of American culture.



2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
One way to control a faction is by destroying all liberty amongst the people and pay no attention to any individual persons opinions. The second way is to have everyone conform to the same opinions, needs, and wants of the society. This creates a cookie-cutter mentality and diminishes any sense of individuality that the American people have. This destroys the factions along with the freedom of the common people.

Blog #4 Revolution Article

Dante Bucci
Mr. Decarlo
AP American
17 September 2014

Revolution Article

1. 1 in 10 people of military age died in the Civil War, 1 in 75 of military age died in WWII.
2. George Washington has never had a specific date created to commemorate the lives lost by the men in the revolutionary war. 
3. Rifles used in the Civil War shot about six times farther than rifles used in the revolutionary war.
4. 47% of Continental Army Soldiers captured in the Revolutionary war died, while only 12% of confederate prisoners and 15% of union prisoners died.
5. George Washington didn't really mention the true horrible nature of the revolutionary war and some of the horrible things that happened to soldiers and officers.

LAD #3 Declaration of Independence

Dante Bucci
Mr. Decarlo
AP American
15 September 2014

LAD #3 Declaration of Independence

 

 

 

1. Summarize the Democratic Principles

The democratic principles of the "Declaration of Independence" are portrayed right in the beginning stating that all men are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Everyone no matter what the characteristics of that person, these rights can not be taken away from them. Another democratic principle presented in the Declaration of independence was the right to protect themselves along with other people, and if they do not succeed then they have the power to alter their government and protect them in the future.

 

2. List a Handful of Grievances

 

Several grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence by King George III are; obstructing administration of justice, he came upon the Americans in a time of peace and sent an army, placed imposing taxes without consent, cut off America's trade with the world. By listing these grievances, the Declaration of Independence not only shows the importance of their own freedom but why they demand freedom after being wrongly treated by Great Britain.

 

3. Conclusion

 

After the Americans were treated poorly by the British, they gathered representatives from all the colonies to form a document not only demanding freedom of their people and colonies. As free states these colonies had the right to declare wars, form alliances and make peace with whoever they please. This document is arguably one of the most important pieces of American literature due to the fact that this set the stage for everything this nation is built off of. In conclusion, this document set the groundwork for the great nation we know of today as the United States of America.

 





LAD #2

Trial of John Peter Zenger (1735)

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was a German-American printer, publisher, editor, and journalist in New York who was jailed for his critical journals written and posted to the public on governor William Cosby.

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

The controversy over John Peter Zenger's charges weren't because of what he published. It was because these charges went against the first amendment, Freedom of Speech. Hamilton;s defense went straight to the jury and said that in a free democratic society one is entitled to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, this convinced to jury to reach a verdict of not guilty.

3. What influence did this case have on American governmental tradition?

The verdict of not guilty only made freedom of speech more relevant in our society, even if Zengers accusations were slanderous and libel; he along with every other american can voice their opinion to the public and alter the minds of others. This set the stage for future cases resulting in other outcomes due to freedom of speech and press.

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

The lasting significance of this case is it gave more leniency to charges of libel and how lawyers can defend against it in the future. Also, writers now can print any criticizing articles as long as what the writer said was true.

LAD #1

LAD #1

"Mayflower Compact" and "The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut"

1. Concepts included in the Mayflower Compact are; freedom of religion, equal laws, ordinances, and meetings occasionally held by the people for the people to discuss topics relating to the colony and the greater good of it for the people. 
2. The Mayflower Compact reflects the new world to be set up upon equal rights for all, freedom to practice any religion, and establishing gradually more of a democratic society. This differs from the old world because people began to move from a traditionally conservative society to now a liberal and more tolerant society as a whole.
3. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differs from the Mayflower Compact because it was more of a constitution establishing a society to follow and obey rules, as the Mayflower Compact was more of an agreement between people. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut created a governing body for the people, which was more than can be said about the Mayflower Compact.
4. The idea of freedom and fear of a corrupt monarchy is what prompted the colonists to taking this approach towards government. The use of a written constitution was to make all laws visible and known to the common people, and by giving them the power to vote for officials in government.
5. The fundamental orders of Connecticut prevented an uprising by one person or a chosen group of people by establishing a democratic society and giving the power to vote to the people so they can choose who governs them. Also by setting restrictions on government officials so they don't become too powerful.

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