LAD #7: Washington's farewell address

Summarize Washington's farewell address:

Washington began by thanking his constituency for their support, and recognizes that this support was essential to his success. Washington announces that he will no longer be running, and instead leaves a series of warnings behind. He tells that when the different regions of America are united, they are stronger, with greater financial success and more growth. Washington says that the government is necessary to maintain liberty and peace, and any attempts to suppress the government would not be in the general interest of the people. He goes on to say that factions and political parties are dangerous in the government and can lead suppression and disorder. Another piece of advise is to allow religion and morality guide politics, creating firm governmental values. While Washington advised neutrality and non intervention, he advised that harmonious relationships be established with the major powers.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Summary of the Proclamation of Neutrality:

The proclamation was issued in 1793, after it was discovered that revolutionary France had gone to war against Great Britain and several other great European monarchies in the War of the First Coalition. Washington proclaims that his country shall stay neutral in order to avoid these European conflicts. He also states that any citizen who should decide to engage in these conflicts shall lose American protection and be prosecuted. Neutrality is in America's best interests.

LAD #5: Federalist #10

Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions have and always will be an unavoidable part of the government. Different income levels, location, education and a plethora of other variables produce a heterogenous political landscape, which produces factions. Factions are difficult to eliminate because, in our country, they developed in a political system that puts high importance on liberty and natural rights as humans. This makes them difficult to eliminate, because any limitations on factions would be outside the law. Eliminating factions would destroy the purpose that the government was set up for, liberty and the best interest of its people. The government cannot control peoples views, and is also unable to suppress their views because if the democratic system.

If factions cannot be removed then how are they controlled?

A government could destroy a faction forcefully, but this major constitutional infraction would cause an uproar among the general population. A more effective way to control majority factions would be factional division. If a factional rift is created, either ideologically or by multiple presidential candidates, a faction can lose its majority and thus be controlled. Republicanism also provides checks for factions such as having regional representatives meet to discuss the concerns of their given regions, breaking up factions into minorities. 

Republican Motherhood

1. What role did the revolutionary war play in republican motherhood?

Because so many men were away from their homes because of the revolution, women often became the leading figure in the household. The women brought up the children, teaching them and caring for them. Women watched over and kept up with the family's property.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

The shifting gender roles caused by the war created a lasting change in perspective among women of the time. Women were empowered by new control and freedoms they experienced during the war, and felt that they deserved education and equality. This feeling lingered after the war and influenced the following generations of women.

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

Republican Motherhood was a significant early stage in the women's socialization. Women sought equality, and did so by pursuing education, which in turn created a group of women able to fight for equality with an educated background. "The reformation of the world is in (women's) power" (Doc C).

1. Describe the setting

The family room of a wealthy home. A woman sits on her pinkish couch with her androgynous sons.

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

She is the dominant figure in her house. She is the most influential person in her household, teaching her sons ideas and value systems. She looks stoic and powerful, an enlightened woman. Her dress represents "republican" values in its muted tones and lack of aristocratic excessiveness. 

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

The influence of Republican Motherhood. They look like behaved children who love their mother and look up to her. They reflect her enlightened values.

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

It shows that she guides them and keeps her children close to her in order to properly educate them and protect them. She has restraint and control over her children, and will mold them into "proper" Americans with strong values.

Blog #4- Revolution Article

Rethinking the Revolution
1. Weem's "Life of Washington" made Washington out to be a "veritable Moses", causing Johns Adams' fears about how the Revolution would be remembered to come true.
2. George Washington never had a truly defining moment as an orator during his career, unlike Lincoln.
3. The British Redcoats marching along the roads from Lexington to Concord committed atrocities against the civilians of the local towns. This was a pattern throughout the war, of extreme brutality, one that is often forgot today.
4. The Americans and British slaughtered each others' prisoners in droves, Banastre Tarleton being one of the most infamous cavalry commanders of the war for his slaughter of unarmed Americans.
5. The American army lost 30,000 troops during the Revolutionary War, and percentage wise, just as many civilians as in the Civil War.

LAD #3 Declaration of Independence

1. The colonists wrote the Declaration of Independence out of their frustration with British imposition of what the colonists saw as unfair British law and customs.The Declaration states several democratic principles, including "That all men are created equal...with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness". The colonists also felt that a government should exist primarily for the benefit of its people, their British rulers deserving replacement. These democratic ideas were greatly influenced by John Locke, and contributed to why the Colonists declared their independence from Britain.

2.The colonists who wrote the Declaration included a list of how they felt King George III had disregarded their rights and wronged them. It was an accusation, and an explanation for king George. Some of the colonists' grievances included:
-He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures
The colonists were angry that the British involved them in their wars, and kept armies in the colonies.
-For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury
-For imposing taxes on us without our consent
-For protecting them (British soldiers), by mock trial, from punishment for any murders they should commit on the inhabitants of this state
The British soldiers were thought to receive unfair treatment, a possible example being the John Adams/Boston Massacre case.

3.The Declaration of Independence states at its conclusion the most emphatic statement, that "these United Colonies are free and independent states".The Declaration marked the beginning of the end of direct British influence over the colonies. The colonists would no longer put up with British laws, customs and influence. The colonists were ready to build their own nation with the release of this document, and were ready to defend their Declaration with war.

(1. democratic principles, 2.list a handful of grievances, and 3. the conclusion)

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

LAD #2

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was a German immigrant who came to America in 1710 to eventually become a printer. In 1733, Zenger began the New York Weekly Journal. His paper criticized the governor William Crosby, who removed chief justice Lewis Morris from court and prosecuted the former governor, Rip Van Dam. Using his paper, Zenger told of Crosby's decisions and offered a critical viewpoint. William Crosby had Zenger arrested for seditious libel, his trial taking place on August 4th, 1735. Andrew Hamilton defended Zenger.

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

The controversy over Zenger's charges was caused by the fact that Zenger's "seditious libel" was actually true. Hamilton argued that, although it may have offended several individuals, the articles could not be considered libel at all, and that Zenger had not broken any laws. Hamilton appealed directly to the jury, and freed Zenger.

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

This case changed how libel lawsuits were viewed and relaxed restrictions on what could be said. It became easier to criticize officials, as long as the information was truthful. The case expanded American freedoms, and helped newspapers become more influential in politics. 

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

The lasting influence is the increased freedom of speech in America. Forty years later, with growing discontent in the colonies and more criticism than ever for the crown and its officials, freedom of speech would play a large role in the independence movement and the formation of the revolution. With new freedoms, newspapers and pamphlets became a strong voice in the America, and still are. The ideas that were used against Zenger's prosecutors were put into our constitution and now guarantee us free speech.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

LAD #1

1)What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The Mayflower includes several main concepts. It shows the continued loyalty to the "dread Sovereign King James", and God. It shows that the writers sought to create a society influenced by religion. The Mayflower Compact includes the formation of a new democratic government, able to pass and enforce laws, constitutions and other acts.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower compact shows attachment to the "Old" world because it states that the colonists are still subjects of the Crown, and still are loyal to their religion, advancing the Christian faith "for the glory of God". The compact shows attachment to the "New" world through its use of democratic ideals, and refusal to have a single all powerful ruler. The colony is independent, and this local government is a characteristic of being attached to the "New" world. 

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders were used to create a more permanent government, with specific laws, while the Mayflower Compact was more of a set of guidelines with no specific laws. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut created a legislature that ruled over several towns and was able to more effectively govern, uniting said towns. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut made no mention of being the subjects of the British King, implying that they intended self rule. The Mayflower Compact declared allegiance to the King.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
The colonists created this constitution in order to set down a clear set of laws, that would empower the qualified individuals and give rise to an orderly system of government. This constitution was also created in order to unify several towns in Connecticut, making them similarly powerful.

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?
The Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of rule by the few through its laws. It creates a democratic system in order to prevent usurpers from taking control and to even out the balance of power.
Officials were elected on a democratic basis, and the powers of government were limited in some ways. For example, it orders that no governor be elected "above once in two years". The Fundamental Order of Connecticut give the towns equal say in elections and decisions, and thus make it even more difficult for one person or a select few to usurp power.

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