LAD #10

Monroe Doctrine

             
  Presented by James Monroe the Doctrine was a speech given to the United States Congress. It was proposed for the sake of national security, and they didn't want to risk having any other superpower take over again. It was designed to separate the old world from the new world. The idea was to stop Europe from colonizing the new countries in Latin America. The United States feared that the colonozation so close to home would pose a threat to the Americans. It was also a way of saying that the european countries really needed to mind their own business. The Doctrine also helped to make ties with Great Britain, some would call a 'special relationship'. Britain decided to help which was necessary because the US could not fight it alone. The Doctrine lasted a very long time and its effect was great.

LAD #9

Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address:
     Thomas Jefferson starts out his Address by giving a thank you to everyone who helped him, and then he begins to discuss the nation he now leads. He describes America as a "rising nation" and talks about its rapid growth and beauty as a country. He mentions the constitution and how it will help to guide us through the "troubled world" we find ourselves in.
     He then continues to touch on common good and the freedom of speech within the Constitution. Now, he then goes on to point out the importance of protecting not only the majority, but indeed the minority as well. That although we wish to benefit the most people, we simply cannot forget the others that fall under the umbrella of less voiced groups. He talks about protecting everyone.
     It shouldn't surprise us that he then goes on to discuss the pursuit of happiness. How it is truly achieved in this day and age.
     Jefferson doesn't stop there, as he states again the freedoms of the people. " freedom of religion; freedom of the press, and freedom of person" he says, and he says that with these things we can find the road that leads to 'peace, liberty, and safety'.
      He finishes off by saying he is forever grateful and prepared for the position he has been given. and he wishes only for happiness and freedom for every single American citizen. Ending with the very powerful "And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.". What wonderful speaker.

Columbus Blog #8

When were little we are taught that Christopher Columbus is the great discoverer of the Americas - but was he truly all we built him up to be? When he was exploring in the Americas he often talked about how the Indians would make good slaves, stating that they could never be equals. He was one to enslave innocent people of the Indian cultures. Why was this? Columbus didn't like the different cultures and powers, and is solution was enslaving them all. And along with imposing slavery upon the Indians Columbus found himself in a great amount of debt due to his borrowing of money for the adventures. He demanded that they pull together all the money he needed or they be killed.When Columbus and his mean first saw land, it was not Columbus who actually saw the first but someone else on the ship. But of course, he had to have the glory for himself. So he claimed he had seen the land far before the man and took the title. Clearly. This is no nice childhood hero.