LAD/Blog #7: Washington's Farewell Address

[ the Farewell Address ]

As the first President, George Washington set many precedents for future leaders of the United States. In his Farewell Address, he set the precedent for a two-term presidency, because although the people wanted him to continue leading the country, he merely wanted to return to a calmer life. After establishing this, he went on to warn against the formation of political parties, because he believed that the conflicting beliefs between parties would create a rift in the nation. Washington opposed factions because of his strong belief in unity, and his belief that such conflicting ideals would diminish that unity and weaken the United States. He also touched upon taxes and revenue, stating such things as necessary, as well as speaking about avoiding getting into debt. Washington also advised that America remain isolated and neutral, warning against foreign alliances and getting involved in the affairs of other countries. Washington also went on to describe the great importance that he felt the Constitution and morality held in America, and how he thought that in order for America to see success, people had to abide by the Constitution. At last, Washington closed the Address with a note of thanks toward the American people who had provided him with so much honor an opportunity, and ended with a final farewell.

LAD/Blog #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

[ the Proclamation of Neutrality ]

In his Proclamation of Neutrality, George Washington stated that the United States would not involve itself in the warfare of Europe, and that it would remain neutral to the affairs occurring there, without picking or aiding any side involved. He also made it known that any American who went against these urgings would no longer be protected by the United States and would be punished for disobeying them.

Republican Motherhood Blog

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

With the advent of the Revolution, women began to be seen as more vital in the home, dubbed "her appropriate sphere of action" and described as where a woman can best perform her patriotic duties by training and traching her children to be good American citizens (Document A). It was stated often that a mother's duty was to enlighten her sons in the principles of government (Document B).

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

Women gained some respect through their roles as educators, though confining them to the home was still an elaborate means of oppression. However, women at least became more educated through the concept of Republican Motherhood. It was deemed necessary that "ladies should be qualified to a certain degree" in order to properly teach their children, and as such they became more educated in the English language, penmanship, figures and bookkeeping, geography, and chronology to read history and the like (Document B).

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

Women were meant to be confined to the home, but nonetheless influencing society through making the home environment a pleasant one-- the destiny of America was said to rely on their influence within society and the home (Document D). Republican Motherhood did allot some semblance of power to women through the respect they earned as educators, but it cannot be forgotten that given the continued oppression and condescension towards women, this was a rather meager gain; there should be no delusions that this denoted equality between the sexes.

 1. Describe the setting.

The painting appears to be set upon a couch within the parlor of a well-decorated home. There is a glimpse of a painting or mirror in the background.

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

The woman serves as the center of the portrait, given that she is the largest and most well-lit figure. She is dressed well and conservatively, though not extravagantly, as one would expect of a well-to-do aristocrat. Her posture is dignified and similarly not extravagant, appearing gentle.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

The woman's sons are similarly well-dressed and also possess good posture, signifying that they are being raised into polite and educated American citizens by their mother.

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

 Her arm gently separates the two children, presumably the younger from the older, while also cradling slightly the child who appears to be younger. Her position is very matronly and has slight connotations of motherly affection, while still having a slightly poised, disciplinary air that would be expected of one whose duty it is to educate children.

LAD/Blog #5: The Federalist #10

[ The Federalist ]

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are tremendously difficult to eliminate because in order to do so, one would either have to remove the liberty to form factions, or change the opinions of the factions themselves. To relinquish the liberties of the faction would go against the beliefs of America's government, however, effectively removing that which is the basis of democratic politics. It would be similarly difficult to change the opinions of the factions, as well, given that all people are prone to thinking in different ways and have a right to do so. It would be nearly impossible to do either of these things merely to stop a faction from posing opposition to another.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

 Though factions may not be eliminated, they can be controlled. The faction can be overruled if it encompasses a minority of a population through voting by the principle of majority rules. If it makes up a majority of the population, in order to control it the good of the public must be kept in mind while trying to get people to stop convening on issues by fostering different opinions within the faction. Elements of Republican government can also effectively control a faction to an extent. Because in a Republican government different states would have different representatives, factions would be unable to spread as easily because those different states would be possessed of different ideals and opinions.

LAD/Blog #4: Revolution Article

 [ a painting depicting winter at Valley Forge ]

Through reading the "Rethinking the Revolution" article, I discovered many new facts about the American Revolution and the Civil War.

1. I learned that cameras became available technology in 1861, during the time of the Civil War. This led to many people considering the Civil War to be the first "modern" war.

2. I also learned that out of all those who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, 1 in 4 died.

3. This article also showed that the Revolutionary War was America's longest declared war, lasting more than eight years.

4. The article goes on to describe that the hunger of American soldiers invading Canada during the war became so intense, that they ate pet dogs and made soups from boiled shoes and melted candles.

5. By far the most striking thing about this article, however, is that it describes how the hardships of the Revolutionary War have gone overlooked throughout history. Some call the Civil War America's most important event, but to say such a thing is to "ignore the grim struggle that brought the country into existence;" the Revolutionary War has been sanitized by history, leading to people discrediting its horrors.

All in all, this article was extremely informative and very interesting on the topic of how the way events are viewed can change dramatically over time.

LAD/Blog #3: Declaration of Independence

[ the declaration of independence ]
1.) democratic principles:
"All men are created equal" and possess "unalienable rights," specifically life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as the right to rebel against a government that harms the people.

2.) grievances:
Among the many wrongs listed of the King are the quartering of armed troops among Americans, taxation of Americans without consent, cutting off American trade with countries other than Britain, depriving Americans of a trial by jury, taking away charters, and waging war on the American people.

3.) conclusion:
Though the Americans have tried to warn Britain of their wrongdoings, they feel that they must finally separate from Britain and establish the Colonies as "free and independent states," with all the rights that come with such a designation.

LAD/Blog #2: Zenger Trial

[ above: a depiction of the trial ]

     
1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was a German-American printer, publisher, editor, and journalist, who became the defendant of the titular trial after publishing criticism of the governor William Cosby in his paper, the New York Weekly Journal.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
Charged with seditious libel, Zenger was arrested and put on trial. During his trial, Hamilton argued that that a defamatory statement may be published, but not considered to be libelous if actually true, thus proving that if statements such as Zenger's were truthful, if highly critical -- which they were -- the truth behind them formed an absolute defense against such a charge as libel.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
Hamilton's successful defense is said to have provided a foundation for and affirmed American freedom of the press. It made it so that people could truthfully criticize others and the government without fear of punishment or retribution as Zenger faced.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
America now values freedom of the press tremendously, in part because of this trial, which was a landmark case for freedom of the press. The great-grandson of Lewis Morris would much later write that the "trial of Zenger in 1735 was the germ of American freedom, the morning star of that liberty which subsequently revolutionized America."

LAD/Blog #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

 

[ above: the Mayflower Compact ]

[ above: a depiction of the signing of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut ]

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
Included in the Mayflower Compact are the concepts of advancing Christian faith, bringing glory to the King and mother country, and creating more concise order within the colony they seek to establish though becoming a civil body that can make laws, ordinances, etc. in the best interests of the colony and its inhabitants.

2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
By referring to themselves as "loyall subjects of our dread soueraigne Lord King James," the signers show an attachment to the "Old" world from whence they came. By agreeing to establish, enact, and otherwise impose laws, acts, and the like for the "generall good of y^e colonie," to which they pledge "all due submission and obedience," they show a concern for an attachment to the "New" world that they plan to live in.

3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (hereafter abbreviated to "Fundamental Orders"), most obviously differ from the Mayflower Compact in length; the Fundamental Orders are most noticably longer than the Mayflower Compact and address many more issues. One other particularly significant divergence is that the Fundmental Orders make no reference to the King, Britain, or any location outside of Connecticut, where it is most relevant. The Fundamental Orders also specifically dictate how their government is to be run, where the Mayflower Compact is merely a vague agreement to form a government.

4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
To protect their liberties and interests, they wanted an "orderly and decent Government established," and sought to specify how it should run in order to achieve that goal by writing the Fundamental Orders.

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?
It specifies exactly how the government will work, so as not to enable a governor to gain too much power; as well, the governor is barred from becoming holding office for an excessively long period of time, because the document sets a term limit. It also provides for democratic elections, ensuring that whatever governor elected will be approved by the people.

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