LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

Washington's Farewell Address

Summary: Washington began the address by explaining that he is comfortable retiring because he feels the country is in much better shape than when he assumed office, and because he believes it is not unpatriotic for him to end hiss service in favor of another president. He then discusses several key topics, including the Preservation of the Union. Washington explains that it is necessary for America's survival that the nation remain one, united, entity. Additionally, the 1st President warns the people about the danger of factions (political parties) and urges them to avoid partisan politics (advice we could use today!). Finally, Washington explains what he believed would be the best course for America in the future - to be friendly with all nations, but politically/militarily allied with none. Washington wished to set an example of a free democracy for the rest of the world, and was adamant in his support of US-Foreign trade, but he truly feared the US becoming too attached to foreign nations, and thus suffering the consequences of that attachment (like being dragged into foreign wars).

(Almost 100 years after Washington's presidency, the Union Army fought to keep America together as one. They, like Washington, feared that disunited the whole nation would collapse or be overtaken by foreign powers).

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Summary: Washington declared that the United States would remain neutral in the conflicts between Revolutionary France and the majority of Europe. He also explained that any citizen who was caught abroad attempting aid either side would not receive protection from the US government. To the French this was seen as a betrayal, since France had aided America only a decade-and-a-half earlier in their own struggle for democracy. However, Washington likely wished to focus on fixing the nation's internal debts and issues, instead of plunging the people into another war with the Europeans.

(I connected this to the US's policy of neutrality at the beginning of WWI, although this instance would fail, both sought to keep the US out of wars that were overseas, and in the opinion of many, unnecessary to ensure our security).

LAD #5: Federalist #10

Federalist #10

1.) Factions are so impossible to eliminate because they must either be squashed by the force of tyranny, or end because everyone has the same opinion. The first is absolutely against the principles of American Democracy, and would likely result in factions simply becoming resistance movements. The second is impossible in a free society, as everyone will always have some difference of opinion based on their prior experiences and mindset.

2.) As the Papers say, factions can be controlled through a representative democracy (republic). The act of electing officials eliminates the mob mentality of factions, and ensures that only the wisest and most educated are in charge of government. This system alo helps to break down the ability of majority factions in a pure democracy to abuse and violate the rights of the minority.

(I compared this to today's partisan politics, as the political system is dominated by factions, but they can never quite gain the upper hand over each other for long periods of time).

Blog #5: Republican Motherhood

Republican Motherhood

1.) The revolutionary war was the turning point for women from Housewifery to Republican n Motherhood. As the new nation was to be by the people, it became extremely important that the next generations of the people be raised with values and morals consistent with those of the Nation. Thus, thinker of the time began to recognized the value of mothers in educating their sons (who would be the next generation of republican leaders) and so the idea of Republican Motherhood was born.

2.) The ideal of republican motherhood allowed women to gain access to more educational opportunities, However these were often limited to subjects that they would need to properly install democratic values into their sons. Additionally, the concept further solidified Early American society's belief that women belonged in the home caring for the children.

3.) This idea of Republican Motherhood is significant towards women gaining equal status centuries later because it was one of the first instances where women were given any reason by male society to study and learn more than just simple academics, and it placed women in a very important position: that of raising the next generation  of political leaders.

1.) The woman (Mary Gibson Tilghman) is sitting on a couch, indoors with her two sons. 

2.) Mary is very clearly the center of the piece, and she represents a republican style rather than an aristocratic, as she is dressed very simply, wears no wig, and is actively interacting with her children.

3.) The younger son on her lap appears more uncultured and childish, whilst the older boy seems to already be very adult, respectable, and cultured.

4.) Gibson Tilghman is restraining her more vulgar son with her arm, reflecting her role as a moral teacher for her children, and thus the next generation of leaders.

(This clear segregation between the roles of men and women reminded me of the similar social structure of many native American tribes, with women working the fields and caring for the children, and men hunting.)

Blog #4: Rethinking the Revolution

Rethinking the Revolution

(Artist's depiction of Washington crossing the Delaware River).

1.) John Adams admitted that he feared that history would falsely remember an extremely glorified version of the revolution, with Washington and Franklin appearing as almost christ-like saviours of America.

2.) Washington actually had a relatively hard time expressing the events of Revolutionary battles, or praising the common soldier - instead he often spoke very vaguely of the war and did little (relative to Presidents like Lincoln) to commemorate his soldier's sacrifice.

3.) Several Major atrocities upon troops were committed/suffered in the war. Continental troops starved more than once while on campaign, many had no shoes and poor clothing, and in battle, victors would often strip the losers of their uniforms and gear.

4.) Looking back, many Americans and American Historians have focused heavily on the political aspects of the revolution, such as the Boston Tea Party, instead of the major military victories that granted us our independence; and I can say that this is definitely true in our schools today, though maybe for good reason, as the political aspects are also the cornerstones of our American ideals.

5.) Additionally, many coastal towns suffered from naval raids by the British Armada during the war. However, the truly brutal side of the civilian war was the violence between American Loyalists and Patriots, who often slew each other with "great ferocity" in small, localized, skirmishes.

I connected this to the recent Riots in Ferguson, MI - as both events saw large amounts of partisan civilian unrest, be it civilian skirmishes in the Revolution, or the burning of Ferguson property by protesters.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independance

Declaration of Independance

Artist's rendering of the Declaration's signing.

1.) The Declaration of Independence contains a number of references to the democratic principles of those who wrote it, such as the opening line "all men are created equal" and those which follow it, saying that governments get their power from the governed, and thus the people must be the highest concern of the government (and when it is not, and tyranny arises, it is the right of the people to rise up). Also notable is one of the main protests of the colonists that the British government taxed them without their consent (which they found abhorrent because they had no elected representation in Parliament), but more on that in point two.

2.) The Declaration contains a rather long list of American grievances against the King, but they can best be summarized in these key points:

a.) The King and Parliament placed extra taxes on the Colonies without their consent or any representation in Parliament.

b.) The King and his Royally-appointed governors repeatedly got in the way of progress and the colonial legislatures through both direct opposition to some proposed acts, and the lengthy process of Royal approval often needed for large projects.

c.) The King often forced Colonial Legislatures to meet in poor or undesirable conditions, to tire them into voting his way; as well as flat-out disbanding some representative bodies.

d.) The King maintained a standing army America in peacetime, and his troops and officers were quartered in colonist's houses without their consent, and these soldiers often stole from and pillaged local houses, with no punishment.

e.) The colonists had "repeatedly petitioned for redress" and the British Government had answered only with violence.

3.) The Declaration is essentially a long list of grievances against the King of Great Britain and his government meant to justify and explain the colonist's reasons for leaving the Empire to both the British, and the rest of the world. It concludes with a final command that the colonies be respected as a free and independant nation, and a pledge by its signers to stand by one another in the fight for independance.

I related the famous Declaration of Independance to the much wordier Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union, which was the document presented to the union explaining South Carolina's reasons for secession. Both were essentially meant to list grievances ("brought about by tyranny") and justify the leaving of a Union/Empire.

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger Trial

John Peter Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

Zenger was a German Journalist in New York City in the early 1700's. After printing critical comments about the Colonial Governor William Cosby, he was arrested for libel.

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

Zenger was charged with libel, or publishing a false statement that harms a person's reputation, but his lawyers - Hamilton and Smith, argued that a statement could not be considered libelous if it was true, but still harmful to a person's reputation. Within ten minutes of discussion, the Jury proclaimed Zenger not guilty and thus set a precedent for freedom of the press in America.

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

Zenger's case placed freedom of the press amongst other sacred American freedoms that our governmental tradition advocates for the protection of.

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

The precedent of a free press set forth by Zenger's trial would remain a cornerstone of American governmental tradition, and eventually it would be written into law as one of the first Amendments to the US Constitution.

The Zenger trial in the 1700's reminded me of a 2012 movement by many Americans against the SOPA and PIPA bills that were seen as being infringements on online freedom of speech, as both instances saw the people opposing their government to maintain their essential freedoms.

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

The Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

(Artist's depiction of the signing of the Compact)

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The compact contains several main concepts, firstly a promise to uphold and further God and Christianity, then to remain loyal to the King of England, and finally, but in a way most importantly to American history, a promise by all signers to follow and submit to all laws and ordinances set forth by the colony for the greater good of the colony.

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

The compact's attachment to the Old World can be seen in its pledge to remain loyal to the King of England and to the Christian Religion. Meanwhile, its connection to the New World is best illustrated by its promise to enact and submit to laws for the sake of the general good of the colony (as opposed to in the name of a higher class, religion, or King).

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

The Fundamental Orders were a specific set of written laws addressing how the government of the three towns under them would operate, whereas the Mayflower Compact was more of a pledge to create a fair government and follow the rule of law it set forth.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The colonists desired an orderly and just government to keep the peace between their three towns and to maintain the unity of the Christian faith in Connecticut. 

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 firstly mandate that magistrates be elected by ballot and that Connecticut's two General Assemblies must meet at set dates. In addition, the Orders allow provisions for Freemen from each town to observe the electoral process, and to take power with the town constables if the two General Assemblies are not called. All of these democratic procedures are safeguards to a local tyranny, and thus show that the colonists feared one small group or person becoming all-powerful in their government.

Both of these documents reminded me of the US Constitution, which also set down basic written laws, and sought to safeguard its people from tyranny.

'Ello Govnah

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