LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address

Summary of Washington's Farewell Address, 1796-
In Washington's Farewell Address, he announces that he will not be returning to run for a third term as President. He has been ready to officially retired for a while, however at the time he could not leave it in such a state. Washington advises the citizens to disapprove of the alienation and isolation of any part of the country. There may be differences among the country, but sticking together is key. Next, he cautions the people about political parties; they can cause rifts, jealousy, and corruption. Also, he mentions his Proclamation of Neutrality, saying that we should be friendly in our interactions with foreign countries. Additionally, he does believe in engaging in free trade with the Europeans and other nationa. Another point that Washington makes is on religion. He believes that it boosts private and public happiness as well as political prosperity. Washington wraps up in a display of patriotism by exclaiming his excitement to become a regular everyday American.

LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Summary of Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793-

George Washington created this during a time of war between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands vs France. The purpose of this proclamation is to keep the United States out of all the conflict going on in Europe in the 1970s. He cautioned the American citizens to not provide any aid, nor supplies. He stated, those who don't follow this law will be prosecuted accordingly and will no longer be a protectee of the U.S. Washington believed non-involvement was the best policy.

LAD #5: The Federalist #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Elimating factions are difficult because there are only two methods to getting rid of factions, destroying liberty or standardizing opinions and ideas. Faction and liberty are inseparable and necessary to the government. The American government's duty is to protect the rights of man, and depriving liberty, conflicts with its obligations. Also, it is inevitable that there will be difference of opinions due to varying social classes.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
The effects of factions need to be controlled instead of attempting to eliminate them completely. If it's a minority faction then it can easily be defeated by a majority vote. One way a majority faction can be controlled is by preventing the similar passions within the majority. However, the only way to truly control the effects is with a republican, not a democracy. In a republic, citizens vote for their representatives to vote for laws, while in a democracy everyone votes for every law. With factions gaining representation, some of their demands can possibly be met and they can be quelled.

Republican Motherhood

Republican Motherhood

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?
Women still remained as the caretakers of the house and children even after the Revolution. However, their responsibilities increased because it was their job to raise the future generation for their newly free county. They have to teach them the principles that come along with being born into America (Doc B). Not only were the children supposed to be educated in the new, but they were also meant to never forget the old. The Revolution and its importance could not be forgotten (Doc C).

2.  What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?
One consequence was the added pressure put on women. The expectations were higher and they had more duties placed on top of their original ones. It was said if a woman doesn't perform these duties then "she is deserting the station which God and nature have assigned to her" (Doc A). Jonathan F Stearns also stated that if they are not successful with their duties then they will be the first to be "trodden under foot," placing more pressure upon the women (Doc D). Another consequence of Repblican Motherhood on women was the increase in required education for women. Now, a lady should have legible handwriting and be knowledgeable in the English language, numbers, bookkeeping, geography, chronology, history, biography, and traveling (Doc B). Another c

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?
The ideology of the Republican Motherhood was to increase women's status and importance in American society. Women were the role models for the first generation born into the free country. The pride that came with this role led to women "asserting the importance and the honor of their sex" (Doc C). Also, in Document B, Benyamin Rush talks about women's education. The education they receive help raise their importance in the later women's rights movements.

Mary Gibson Tilgham

1. Describe the setting
A woman, seemingly wealthy, and presumably the mother of
the two young boys painted along with her. One is upon her lap and the other is beside her on the couch. They all seem serene as they appear to be directly looking at the painter.

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

Mary Gibson Tilgham, the mother, is displayed as the center of the portrait. She is displayed as a well put together woman, she has her hair styled, and a dress that hints at wealth. The artist is portraying her as the ideal representative of "republican motherhood." Mothers raised the children, and that means the future generations were shaped by them. Thus, women involved in this republican were of a higher status.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?
Her sons seem calm and well behaved indicating Tilgham raised them properly. They look as if they both love and respect their mother.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham's arm?
Yes, the younger boy is reaching out to his brother, and it is Mrs. Tilgham's arm that is holding him back. It is showing that she is fulfilling her role properly by making sure her son is acting proper and well behaved. It shows her power as well as the care she has for her children.

LAD #4: Revolution Article

Five things that I have learned about the Revolutionary War and Civil War

1. I knew that the Civil War had the most American fatalities, however I was unaware that it was around six to seven hundred thousand lives. Considering the new technology of today, I thought by now the Civil War numbers would have been surpassed. This is possibly why it is one of the most well known event in American history.
2. It is strange to think about everything that is around at one point. I did not know that the camera was invented by the time of the Civil War. That makes it one of the first wars to be pictured rather than drawn up or painted by creative choice.
3. I was surprised to learn that the Civil War is considered by some to be the first modern war. When I think of modern, what comes to mind is more of the 21st century.
4. I learned that about 30,000 American soldiers perished out of the total population of 2.5 million during the Revolutionary War. It is interesting that when comparing that to today's population, the losses would be closer to 3 million. That's half a million more than the total population back then.
5. I also found it interesting that in the Revolutionary Was so many soldiers were taken prisoner, and that of those captives from the Continental Army, a whopping 47% did not survive their jailing. Comparably, the total percent of prisoners that died during the Civil War was only 27%. This surprised me because the Civil had a hire fatality rate in general.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

1. Democratic principles
The Declaration of Independence is the embodiment of democracy. After being so repressed in practically all aspects of life, the colonists wanted to have a say in how they lived. Everyone has the unalienable rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and the government's purpose is to protect these rights. The declaration also proclaims that it is the duty of the people to create a new government if the current one is in the wrong.

2. Grievances
The conclusion stated a long list of grievances mainly towards Britain and its king. There were no laws imposed, yet he created a law that disallowed the creation of a government or laws. Also, he dissolved both Representative Houses when they opposed his treatment towards the colonists. The King required colonists to house soldiers, cut off trade, imposed taxes, and denied trial by jury, among other misdemeanors. The King continuously infringed upon what should be basic rights and the people declared that that is not a person fit to rule

3. Conclusion
The conclusion declares the United States of America a "free and independent state". It also states that all obedience and political ties to the British crown were to be cut. The colonists wanted the full ability to declare wars, establish peace treaties, create alliances, and establish themselves on the trade market. In other words, the United States want the right to conduct themselves as other countries do

LAD #2: Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was a journalist who published a newspaper that criticized governor William Cosby. This led to his jailing for libel.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
Libel is a published statement that is false. Hamilton argument was that yes, Zenger published the articles, but a statement can't be considered libel if it can be proved.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition? 
Hamilton's success with the case affirmed the Freedom of Press. Also, Zenger's case set the precedent against judicial tyranny in libel suits

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The lasting significance is that the Freedom of Press is now an amendment among our Bill of Rights. Opposition, no matter how defaming, was no longer illegal if proven true. No longer were people jailed for speaking their mind. This revolutionized what was printed in newspapers. In addition, a new standard was set in preceding with libel suits.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The first colony was established for God's glory, to extend the Christian faith, and to honor their king and country.

All present had to agree to join together to form a political group

That same political body had to create and enforce laws for the good of the community

A group of representatives had to meet from time to time to preserve the "Good of the Colony"

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

The Mayflower Compact reflects an attachment to the Old World by showing loyalty to the country they emigrated from. They show honor to the King James of England, France, and Ireland. However, they show attachment to the new world by creating their own political body separate from King James'. They create new laws and have different political representatives.

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

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut have the rules outlined more specifically. The Orders are a list of laws that describe how the colonists will protect their own rights, using elections and trials. On the other hand, the Mayflower Compact was extremely vague and didn't specifically state any laws.

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

The colonists needed a stronger more stable government as well as something different from the government they left behind. To reach this, more laws and set guidelines are necessary. Also, this democratic form of government allowed the majority of colonists to have a say in what they wanted their rights to be.

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 way the Orders reflect fear of a single powerful individual is by setting up a democratic body. This distributes the power more evenly among more people. The government officials had to be elected by the people. Also, elections were held every year so no one person could hold power for too long.

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