Sunday, October 12, 2008
Columbus Blog #8
Columbus' status in history is very debatable; some historians believe that he is a hero for being the first European to discover North America, however others believe he should be considered a villain because his treatment of the native peoples whom he called Indians was very cruel and inhumane. However, I believe that Columbus was more villain than hero. If Columbus had not discovered North America, it is inevitable that another European would have. So, although Columbus is credited for dicovering North America, his accomplishment does not make up for the cruel ways he treated the Indians. Columbus and his men exploited the Indians and made them work long hours for the gold Columbus had promised the king and queen of Spain. When the Indians did not bring Columbus the amount of gold they were required to bring, they were mutiliated by Columbus. This was extremely unfair because the Indians were working extremely hard under Columbus' orders but there was just not as much gold as Columbus told the king and queen there was. This was so unfair because the shortage of gold was Columbus' fault; yet the Indians, people who lived in America first, were the ones blamed and brutally punished. Instead of trying to cooperate with the Native Americans, Columbus and his men immediately deemed them as enemies and forced the Indians to either work for them or live on reservations. Although Columbus "discovered America" for Europe, his methods of settling the continent are not to be admired. For these reasons, it is reasonable to say that Columbus should be considered more villain than hero.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
LAD #7
Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address
In Jefferson's first inaugural address, he starts off by stating that he is extremely honored and proud to be the third president of the great country, the United States. Jefferson is ready to undertake the responsibility of leading the country with the guidance of the Constitution. Jefferson goes on to state that everyone is a Republican, a Federalist, and a supporter of American government. Jefferson is willing to help the country to further unite under his leadership in times of war and peace. Jefferson believes that the government can be further developed, and will be strong in its willingness to help the American people, but not strong from a monarchial or aristocratic standpoint. Jefferson, a firm believer in rule of the people, will strongly support and emphasize America's democratic governmnent.
In Jefferson's first inaugural address, he starts off by stating that he is extremely honored and proud to be the third president of the great country, the United States. Jefferson is ready to undertake the responsibility of leading the country with the guidance of the Constitution. Jefferson goes on to state that everyone is a Republican, a Federalist, and a supporter of American government. Jefferson is willing to help the country to further unite under his leadership in times of war and peace. Jefferson believes that the government can be further developed, and will be strong in its willingness to help the American people, but not strong from a monarchial or aristocratic standpoint. Jefferson, a firm believer in rule of the people, will strongly support and emphasize America's democratic governmnent.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
LAD #6
Washington's Farewell Address 1796: Summary
Washington is addressing the American citizens before he retires. He thanks them for their continued support in his presidency, and says it is time for him to retire. However, he asks them to seriously consider their votes for the next American leader and asks them to choose wisely. Washington addresses his efforts at creating the nation that the American people dreamed of, and assures Americans that he did his best in running the country. Although he recognizes he was not a perfect leader, he believes he had the heart and the spirit of a great American, and has helped the new country to grow in a positive way. Washington is deeply grateful to his country, America, for the honors and confidence it gave him. Washington appreciates America so much because he fought so hard for it and put everything on the line for it. Washington stresses how important American unity is, because without unity, it cannot be guaranteed that every citizen will fully experience his or her natural rights. According to Washington, American citizens must always be patriotic and show great respect for the country they worked so hard to establish. Washington also urges Americans not to become too caught up in political parties or differences because these differences decrease American unity. The Constitution should always be referred to as a guide for running the country sufficiently, and to preserve the government. It is also important to remember that not one branch of the goverment has more power over the other two; if this occurs the democratic-style government begins to be impaired. Americans should always show a pride for their country, a pride similar to that shown by the founding fathers. If Americans remain patriotic people who truly care about their country, America will remain the country Washington set out for it to become. Washington is very thankful for his country, for the American people, and for all the blessings America has bestowed upon him.
Washington is addressing the American citizens before he retires. He thanks them for their continued support in his presidency, and says it is time for him to retire. However, he asks them to seriously consider their votes for the next American leader and asks them to choose wisely. Washington addresses his efforts at creating the nation that the American people dreamed of, and assures Americans that he did his best in running the country. Although he recognizes he was not a perfect leader, he believes he had the heart and the spirit of a great American, and has helped the new country to grow in a positive way. Washington is deeply grateful to his country, America, for the honors and confidence it gave him. Washington appreciates America so much because he fought so hard for it and put everything on the line for it. Washington stresses how important American unity is, because without unity, it cannot be guaranteed that every citizen will fully experience his or her natural rights. According to Washington, American citizens must always be patriotic and show great respect for the country they worked so hard to establish. Washington also urges Americans not to become too caught up in political parties or differences because these differences decrease American unity. The Constitution should always be referred to as a guide for running the country sufficiently, and to preserve the government. It is also important to remember that not one branch of the goverment has more power over the other two; if this occurs the democratic-style government begins to be impaired. Americans should always show a pride for their country, a pride similar to that shown by the founding fathers. If Americans remain patriotic people who truly care about their country, America will remain the country Washington set out for it to become. Washington is very thankful for his country, for the American people, and for all the blessings America has bestowed upon him.
LAD #5
The Proclamation of Neutrality 1793: Summary
It seemed as if European powers were on the brink of war; Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands against France. However, because America was such a young nation, Washington did not want to get involved in the potential foreign war. He advised Americans to treat the European countries respectfully but to not do anything that would seem to display signs of bias toward or against one or more of the countries. If any American citizen or state does not follow the neutrality policy, Washington warns that they will no longer be protected by the United States, and that person or state will be prosecuted.
It seemed as if European powers were on the brink of war; Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands against France. However, because America was such a young nation, Washington did not want to get involved in the potential foreign war. He advised Americans to treat the European countries respectfully but to not do anything that would seem to display signs of bias toward or against one or more of the countries. If any American citizen or state does not follow the neutrality policy, Washington warns that they will no longer be protected by the United States, and that person or state will be prosecuted.
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