LAD #20- Emancipation Proclamation

The 15th Amendment relates to the Emancipation Proclamation because it continued the idea of freeing slaves and giving them the freedoms and rights they deserve including the right to vote.


Emancipation Proclamation Summary- It was written in September of 1862 and the first thing that it says is that on January 1st of  1863, all slaves within any part of the country that rebelled are to be free forever. The Federal Government will also be sure to recognize and maintain their liberties as well. Also on the first day of 1863, every state, including the states that rebelled, are to have a representative in congress. On this same day for 100 days after, the States that rebelled shall be left exactly as if the proclamation were not issued. He then continues to push the point that all slaves are to be set free and the authorities will recognize this fact. To the people that are to be freed, they should abstain from violence unless it is necessary for self-defense. Lincoln also recommends that they labor faithfully and for reasonable wages. He also wants to make known that all former slaves of suitable conditions will be received into the armed forces. He sincerely believed this act to be one of justice warranted by the Constitution.

LAD #19- Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural

FDR's fourth inaugural speech relates to Lincoln's 2nd because both presidencies are taking place on the finishing ends of a war.



Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Summary- Seeing that this was his second inaugural address, there wasn't nearly the same need for it to be long and drawn out rather just a statement with details on the course he plans to pursue throughout his presidency. He then mentions the civil war saying that it has absorbed the attention and energy of our nation. The progress of the the nations arms is well known and there is high hope for the future. In his first inaugural address, all of the thoughts were directed towards the impending civil war. Everyone was dreading it and they all wanted to avert it as well. There were people who were devoted to saving the Union without war,as well as people seeking to dissolve it without war. War came anyway as neither side wanted to give up their argument. One-eighth of the entire population were slaves, localized in the southern part of the country. These slaves had a powerful interest that was largely the cause of war. Neither party expected the war to have the magnitude or duration it ended up having. And no one anticipated the fact that the cause of the conflict might cease before the conflict. He then relates the Civil War to a quote from the bible. Saying that God has given us a war because of the offense of slavery. God has malice towards none, and charity for all. He wants us to finish the work we are in, to bid up the nation's wounds, to care for the people who took part in the war and for his widow and his orphan. And finally to achieve and cherish a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

The Ableman v. Booth case relates to the Dred Scott decision because both decisions changed the the thing they were discussing back to the way they were.

Dred Scott Decision Summary: Originally, the court favored a moderate decision that ruled in favor of Sanford, but it still didn't address the larger issues of black citizenship and the Missouri Compromise. Justice Nelson was chosen to write the decision, however no one agreed with his views. So, Chief Justice Roger Taney was chosen to write the majority opinion of the court which included black citizenship and the Constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise. President James Buchanan contacted several Supreme Court members for the decision reached by the Court to include in his inaugural address. In his speech he supported the decision of the Court. Taney presented the opinion in March of 1857. He started with the question of black citizenship of both slaves and freemen. Taney believed that even free blacks were not citizens of the United States, and do not have the power to sue. He also believed that citizens are allowed to bring their property into a territory in the US. He claimed that Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because it prevented citizens from holding property. Finally, Taney said that the status of the slaves who escaped to free states must be returned to the place in which they resided, so therefore Dred Scott was still a slave and had to return to Missouri.

LAD #17: Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech

Very much like the Declaration of Sentiments, Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech is calling for women's rights as well as telling reasons for why they should have them.



Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech Summary: She starts of by commenting on the fact that since there is all this racket, something must be wrong. All the blacks in the south and the Women in the North, are talking about their rights and the white men will have to do something about it soon. She then says that what is there to talk about? Men are saying that women should be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches and to have the best place everywhere. No one ever helps her in this way. She then says "and ain't I a woman?". She has done a lot of physical labor and no man has helped her. She then repeats the same line again. She said that she had birthed thirteen children and seen most of them sold off to slavery, and when she cried out with grief nobody but Jesus heard her, she then repeats the line again. She then says that the reason people say women and blacks don't have rights is intellect. She then comes back and asks why it has to do with their rights. She then explains what some people say for reasons why women can't have the same rights as men is because Christ wasn't a woman. She then comes backs to say that is the first woman that God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, than why can't all these women together turn it back and get it right side up again. She finishes by saying that since the women are asking for these rights, the men better let them get them.

LAD #16: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July"

The Declaration of Sentiments relates to Frederick Douglass' "5th of July Speech" because both are taking a jab at how the the Declaration of Independence says that everyone should have rights yet many groups of people don't have these rights.


Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" Speech Summary: Douglas came to Rochester to give a speech about the celebration of Independence Day. He questions the extent of the freedom that is provided from the Declaration of Independence. People of color in the United states are not included in the 4th of July celebrations, and do not enjoy the liberties, prosperity, and independence that everyone else celebrates in the US. Because the 4th of July is only for the whites, it is mockery. It mocks the black because they are subordinated by the whites who celebrate equality and independence on this day. Douglass then goes on by denouncing slavery in the name of humanity, the Bible, and the Constitution as the greatest sin in all America. Overall, the 4th on July to a slave is an injustice and victimization of blacks. The celebration that is Independence Day is used to cover up the hideous crimes of the country. According to Douglass, America is the most guilty country in the world. Despite all of this, Douglass hopes that America will eventually outlaw slavery because of its democratic principles found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

LAD #15: Gettysburg Address

The Declaration of Independence relates to the Gettysburg address in that it is specifically referenced throughout the entire speech.


Gettysburg Address Summary- Lincoln begins this address by using the ever so famous line "Four score and seven years ago...". This is referring to 87 years before he wrote the address our nation was founded based on liberty and they were dedicated to the idea that all men are created equal. He continues by saying that we are now in a civil war and that it is testing whether our nation can endure it. Where they are standing is even a battle-field of the war and a portion of the field was dedicated to those who gave their lives in hope that this nation could live on. He continues by saying that they cannot dedicate the ground upon where they stand, as the brave men who fought had already done so far above the power to add or detract. He claims that the world not note and not long remember this speech, but they can never forget what the soldiers did. It is for the people still living, however, to continue the unfinished work which the dead had so bravely fought for. It is for the living, to make sure that the ones that have died have not done so in vain, that this nation shall have renewed freedom, and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth.

LAD #14: Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address

FDR's First Inaugural Speech relates to Lincoln's because he too was coming into the Presidency in a time when America needed to be fixed and there were many problems within it.



Lincoln's 1st Inaugural Address Summary- Lincoln begins by saying that he does not believe in talking about matters that aren't of up most importance to the nation in his address. He starts off talking about slavery and he claims that it is not his intentions to interfere with Southern slavery, and that no states will be favored in the eyes of the Constitution. He continues by saying that returning fugitive slaves is written in the Constitution and it will be enforced. And he pleads for states to abide by the existing laws instead of going against them. Lincoln is aware that the time he is entering the presidency is a very difficult one for our nation with the threat of disunity and succession growing continuously. He believes that disunion by any one state undermines the Constitution, and it is in his intentions to maintain unity. To continue, he doesn't plan on using force against any part of the nation. Lincoln claims that the Constitutional rights have never been openly denied to the American people. Also, if the South does in fact secede from the Union, what is going to stop them having portions of the remaining body secede from them every time they don't get there way. Although Lincoln doesn't necessarily want this, he does say that the people have the right to amend the Constitution. He also acknowledges the fact that they have the right to overthrow the government. Finally, he encourages the people think carefully about their decisions, and it is within their hands whether or not the nation goes into a civil war. But, above all, Lincoln promises that he will preserve, protect, and defend the nation.

LAD #12: President Polk's War Message

FDR's Day That Will Live in Infamy speech relates to President Polk's War Message because both were declarations of war and reasons why.


Summary of President Polk's War Message: John Slidell, an American envoy, was sent to Mexico to create friendly relations with them and to create the borders between Texas and Mexico. He was not received well by there government and Mexico invaded us and shed American blood. Mr Slidell was assured by General Herrera that he would be accepted by the Mexican government. But, upon his arrival a revolutionary party forced the government to refuse him. About a month later General Herrera gave up the presidency to General Paredas. Mr. Slidell attempted to become an envoy to the new Mexican government, but was again refused. The Mexican government was refusing to negotiate with the US for no real reason, and made no alternative plans for the boundaries between Texas and Mexico. The US assembled a military force to meet a potential invasion by the Mexican government, which was threatened after Texas's appeal and resulting annexation into the US. American generals were instructed to move troops without aggressive actions towards Mexico. However, the Mexican General Ampudia, ordered the Americans to retreat. A month went by without cooperation and he considered hostilities to have commenced. A group of American soldiers were attacked while scouting the Mexican troops. Some were killed, while the rest had to surrender. President Polk proposes that America is called to fight Mexico as a result of Mexico's wrongs against American citizens over the past few years. He also said that trade with Mexico stopped long ago being beneficial, and that America has attempted to hold peaceful negotiations but was unsuccessful. Lastly, after Mexico declared war on the US, invaded our territory, and killed our citizens, the conflict would be a vindication of American honor, rights and interest.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

George Washington's Farewell Address relates to John Calhoun's speech because both tell ways to avoid conflict and war in some way.


John Calhoun's Speech Summary: In 1850, John Calhoun addressed the Senate about slavery as the issue was dividing the nation. He believed that sectionalism was increasing, and that the issue of slavery will continue to bring disunity. He wanted to unite to North and South as well as the political parties. He wanted to strengthen the Union and prevent its collapse. The power between the two was imbalanced as the industrial North, was more powerful than the agricultural South. The North also had a greater population and more states, so therefore more representation in the Federal Government. Problems arose when the North showed disapproval of slavery to the south. Calhoun believed that the only way to preserve the Union was for the North to give the South rights in the new territory, return all the runaway slaves to the South, and stop the disapproval of slavery. This would make the North and South once again equal, and although the North didn't agree to theses terms, they would have decreased the threat of succession.

LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

The 15th Amendment relates to the Seneca Falls Declaration because both are either granting or fighting for equal voting rights.


Summary of the Seneca Falls Declaration- This declaration starts very similarly to the Declaration of Independence. It starts with the line "We hold these truths to be self evident...", but instead of saying that "all men are created equal", it says "all men and women are created equal". The declaration goes on and continues to mirror the Declaration of Independence in the word choice and structure. It says that if any of those unalienable rights are taken away or not preserved it is the right of the people who suffer to refuse allegiance to the government. Also it says how women should demand the equality to which they are entitled. The history of mankind is filled with men showing absolute tyranny against women. It then goes on to list many ways in which men have alienated women and not treated them equally. Of which include, her right to vote and to voice her opinion. They have also taken away their social and religious freedoms.The second section tells how to fix these problems. Some of these include saying that women is man's equal, any law that doesn't give women the same rights as men have no authority. It also says that it is the duty of women to vote and that the quick success of equality depends on both men and women working hard to fight for it. And lastly it says that since both men and women were created with the same capabilities she should have the same religious rights.

LAD #10 - Monroe Doctrine

George Washington's Farewell Address relates to the Monroe Doctrine as both emphasize the idea of neutrality and maintaining friendly relations with Europe.

1.  What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?

The Monroe Doctrine expressed the idea that the United States were going to make sure they had all of their rights as a free nation, but at the same time keep friendly relations with countries. Now that the war of 1812 was over, we especially wanted to keep this neutrality now that we had asserted ourselves as a power in the world.

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

His hope was that it would reassure people, the government, and other countries that we were indeed going to try and keep the same stance as we had held before of neutrality and still not be seen as a weak nation. Also that people would realize that war is only going to be used against another nation if it is necessary to keep the other two things.

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

The foreign policy remains the same as it had been before, refrain from interfering in internal affairs in Europe as well as maintaining friendly relations with them, not full bound alliances.