1. Why are factions so difficult to elimiate?
The measures that must be taken to eliminate factions are nearly impossible to be taken in a democratic government. The first act that must be taken to eliminate a faction is to destroy liberty that led to factions in the first place. The only other way factions could be eliminated was if every citizen had the same thoughts, opinions, and political ideas. In a way, these causes tie in with each other because liberty, a virtue democratic governments promise their citizens, allows everyone to have different opinions, thoughts, and political ideas. Americans recognize that factions are inevitable; a natural effect of liberty.
2. If factions cannot be removed, then how can they be controlled?
Popular government allows a majority that is included in a faction to sacrifice to its interest in the rights and good of the citizens. It is hard to control factions purely because in order to control them, the majority of people would have to have the exact same views and opinions which is impossible. However, if fations were not controlled, the United States or any goverment would be in a constant state of revolution. Americans have controlled factions by forming two major political parties with very different views, the Republicans and the Democrats.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Revolution Article
5 things I learned from the article.
1. The approximated population of the United States during the time of the Civil War was 2.5 million people. The number of people who died fighting in the war was about 30,000. If this number was compared to the current population, around 3 million Americans would have died today.
2. Although George Washington is known today as the Founding Father of America, often depicted as America's greatest leader, "Rethinking the Revolution" points out that Washington did not say anything remarkable in a speech or otherwise. Lincoln, on the other hand, wrote America's greatest, best delivered speech, the Gettysburg Address. This leads to contemplation of whether Washington really was America's greatest leader.
3. The Civil War is considered the first modern war, and new, extremely powerful weapons such as cannons were used. This led to an extreme increase in casualties, and more painful ways to die. The Civil War was a much more bloody war than the Revolution.
4. The odds of a Continental soldier dying in the Revolutionary War were one in ten. However, once taken as captive as prisoner, they had only a fifty-fifty chance of surviving.
5. The article states that, "The Revolutionary War included a civil war within a civil war". Sometimes it is forgotten that the Tories and Whigs fought each other while America as a nation was fighting the British. This battle between Americans made the Revolutionary War slightly more difficult because the country was not completely unified.
1. The approximated population of the United States during the time of the Civil War was 2.5 million people. The number of people who died fighting in the war was about 30,000. If this number was compared to the current population, around 3 million Americans would have died today.
2. Although George Washington is known today as the Founding Father of America, often depicted as America's greatest leader, "Rethinking the Revolution" points out that Washington did not say anything remarkable in a speech or otherwise. Lincoln, on the other hand, wrote America's greatest, best delivered speech, the Gettysburg Address. This leads to contemplation of whether Washington really was America's greatest leader.
3. The Civil War is considered the first modern war, and new, extremely powerful weapons such as cannons were used. This led to an extreme increase in casualties, and more painful ways to die. The Civil War was a much more bloody war than the Revolution.
4. The odds of a Continental soldier dying in the Revolutionary War were one in ten. However, once taken as captive as prisoner, they had only a fifty-fifty chance of surviving.
5. The article states that, "The Revolutionary War included a civil war within a civil war". Sometimes it is forgotten that the Tories and Whigs fought each other while America as a nation was fighting the British. This battle between Americans made the Revolutionary War slightly more difficult because the country was not completely unified.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
LAD #3
1. Democratic Principles.
The Declaration of Independence included many democratic principles because the United States never wanted to be ruled by an autocracy again. These principles made sure that the people of the United States had a say in the goverment. The declaration stated that the United States' government was instituted among men; and these men derived their powers only by the consent of the governed. However, when the government became destructive in any way, its people have the right to abolish it and institute a new government. They organized their powers to benefit the safety and happiness of the American people.
2. Grievances Included in the Declaration.
- The King refused to assent to laws that were necessary for the public good.
- The King forbid governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance.
- The King obstructed administration of justice.
- Judges were dependent on the King's will alone.
- The King kept standing armies among the people even in times of peace.
- The Kinga affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power.
- The King quartered large bodies of his armed troops among the people.
These were only a few of the grievances included in the Declaration of Independence, that helped to unite the colonists against Great Britain.
3. Conclusion.
Because of these grievances and the refusal of the King to listen to the colonists, the United States declared that it had the right to be free and independent. The United States believed it had to the right to be absolved from perpetual allegiance to the British, especially because the British did not treat the colonists fairly. Colonists in support of the Declaration pledged their lives, fortune, and sacred honor.
The Declaration of Independence included many democratic principles because the United States never wanted to be ruled by an autocracy again. These principles made sure that the people of the United States had a say in the goverment. The declaration stated that the United States' government was instituted among men; and these men derived their powers only by the consent of the governed. However, when the government became destructive in any way, its people have the right to abolish it and institute a new government. They organized their powers to benefit the safety and happiness of the American people.
2. Grievances Included in the Declaration.
- The King refused to assent to laws that were necessary for the public good.
- The King forbid governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance.
- The King obstructed administration of justice.
- Judges were dependent on the King's will alone.
- The King kept standing armies among the people even in times of peace.
- The Kinga affected to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power.
- The King quartered large bodies of his armed troops among the people.
These were only a few of the grievances included in the Declaration of Independence, that helped to unite the colonists against Great Britain.
3. Conclusion.
Because of these grievances and the refusal of the King to listen to the colonists, the United States declared that it had the right to be free and independent. The United States believed it had to the right to be absolved from perpetual allegiance to the British, especially because the British did not treat the colonists fairly. Colonists in support of the Declaration pledged their lives, fortune, and sacred honor.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
LAD #2
John Peter Zenger (1697-1746) began his career in the press working as an apprentice to William Bradford, a man who printed the New York Gazette. In 1735, Zenger was tried for seditious libel because he had written offending articles about the currente New York Governor, William Cosby. Cosby had persecuted the interim governor, Rip Van Dam, and had removed Lewis Morris, the Chief Justice, from the courts. Zenger was opposed to Cosby's policies and was not afraid to write about them in his paper. Seditious libel, the crime he was tried for, is defined as any political criticism that threatened to diminish respect for the goverment, its laws, or any public officials.
There was controversy over Zenger's charges because some believed it was completely unacceptable to write anything offensive about the governor. However, others believed that because what Zenger wrote was the truth, his article was perfectly acceptable. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, stated that, "The truth is an absolute defense against libel." Because Zenger had written the truth about Cosby, he was declared NOT GUILTY.
Although in many countries condemning the government is strictly prohibited, this trial was the beginning of the enforcenment of freedom of the press. Zenger's trial produced a lasting effect on America, because it showed that America was willing to give everyone a voice to express their feelings on any issue even if it might be controversial and against the government.
There was controversy over Zenger's charges because some believed it was completely unacceptable to write anything offensive about the governor. However, others believed that because what Zenger wrote was the truth, his article was perfectly acceptable. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, stated that, "The truth is an absolute defense against libel." Because Zenger had written the truth about Cosby, he was declared NOT GUILTY.
Although in many countries condemning the government is strictly prohibited, this trial was the beginning of the enforcenment of freedom of the press. Zenger's trial produced a lasting effect on America, because it showed that America was willing to give everyone a voice to express their feelings on any issue even if it might be controversial and against the government.
LAD #1
Concepts included in the Mayflower Compact consist of the colonists' intentions which are upholding the glory of God, further practicing and advancing Christianity, and honoring King James and their mother country. They also include the colonists' determination to enforce just laws, acts, ordinances, constitutions, and officers.
The Mayflower Compact reflects an attachment to the Old World by firmly stating that one of the colony's purposes is to honor King James. At the end of the compact, the colonists also subscribe their names to the king. Although they are given a fresh start, the colonists are still very loyal to their mother country. However, the Mayflower Compact also reflects an attachment to the New World by stating that the colonists would do whatever was most convenient for the general good of the colony. Instead of promising obedience to the king, the people promised submission to the colony.
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut state how governors and magistrates will be elected for the state of Connecticut. The orders also go into detail of how long they will hold their positions of leadership, what powers they have, and so forth. The Mayflower Compact is more general, stating that the colonists are still the subjects of King James. At that point, the colonists have not advanced far enough to form their own system of government.
The colonists of Connecticut were prompted to take the approach of a written constitution because they wanted to make sure not one colonist had the opportunity to seize or be given too much power. By forming a written constitution, the colonists all had a say in what type of government they wished to form.
The Fundamental Orders are very clear in that they do not wish power to be ususrped by one person because they state that no one person can be governor more than once in a period of two years. Also many people have the opportunity to be nominated for the position of magistrate or governor. There are many positions of power instead of just one or two. These restrictions make sure power is dispersed amongst people and can not be held by someone for too long of a time period.
The Mayflower Compact reflects an attachment to the Old World by firmly stating that one of the colony's purposes is to honor King James. At the end of the compact, the colonists also subscribe their names to the king. Although they are given a fresh start, the colonists are still very loyal to their mother country. However, the Mayflower Compact also reflects an attachment to the New World by stating that the colonists would do whatever was most convenient for the general good of the colony. Instead of promising obedience to the king, the people promised submission to the colony.
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut state how governors and magistrates will be elected for the state of Connecticut. The orders also go into detail of how long they will hold their positions of leadership, what powers they have, and so forth. The Mayflower Compact is more general, stating that the colonists are still the subjects of King James. At that point, the colonists have not advanced far enough to form their own system of government.
The colonists of Connecticut were prompted to take the approach of a written constitution because they wanted to make sure not one colonist had the opportunity to seize or be given too much power. By forming a written constitution, the colonists all had a say in what type of government they wished to form.
The Fundamental Orders are very clear in that they do not wish power to be ususrped by one person because they state that no one person can be governor more than once in a period of two years. Also many people have the opportunity to be nominated for the position of magistrate or governor. There are many positions of power instead of just one or two. These restrictions make sure power is dispersed amongst people and can not be held by someone for too long of a time period.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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