LAD #10: The Monroe Doctrine

In the Monroe Doctrine, President James Monroe declares that the American states are free from colonization from any other country. He said that Russia and Great Britain now had peaceful relations with the United States, recognizing it as its own free and independent nation. It also includes that the European powers should stop colonizing in the New World. America wanted the European powers to keep their affairs domestic from now on and not interfere with American ideals. It also states that only if American rights and values are threatened, then it will become involved with other countries because America was trying to stay neutral.

Blog #8

Should Columbus be considered a hero or a villain?

Although Christopher Columbus had many positive impacts on both the America's and Europe because of his discovery of the new world, he should be considered a villain due to the massive amount of deaths he caused. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the America's his intentions were purely sinister. He sought to find gold in the America's to bring back to Spain and even took Native Americans forcing them to help him find it. In addition, he treated Native American's terribly forcibly taking 500 of them back to Europe as well as enslaving thousands more. He would send these slaves on gold hunts for his own benefit and if they came back with nothing he would cut their hands off leaving them to bleed to death. Also he killed thousands of Native American's both intentionally and unintentionally. If groups of Native Americans would resist to being taken as slaves he would commit mass murders slaughtering groups of them. Also in his arrival, in addition to the fear he brought with him he also brought many diseases that the Native Americans were not immune to. These diseases caused massive deaths of Native Americans and spread like wildfire. Also Columbus was a selfish, greedy person even before he found America. On the Santa Maria, the first person to sight land was suppose to get a yearly pension of 10,000 maravedis for life and when one man claimed he spotted land, Columbus said he saw it before him and took the pension. Christopher Columbus was an overall greedy, horrible man who destroyed the lives of the peaceful Indians all for his own selfish desire.

LAD #9

Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address

Summary:

Thomas Jefferson begins his First Inaugural Address stating how nervous he is about his upcoming position as President of the United States. He continues with describing how the magnitude of governing the rising, beloved nation of America humbles him. He then explains how through the Constitution and the help of his legislation he will find the wisdom to guide him through his difficulties. Continuing on, Jefferson states that the majority and the minority's voice shall be heard in order to maintain peace throughout the nation. Also, he stresses the importance of becoming untied as a country and to do this the people must follow the laws for the good of the nation. Jefferson then adds what he will do to make the country better. He includes his plan for a well organized militia as well as his promise to protect the peoples' rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of press, and habeas corpus. He then concludes the speech with saying that he won't always do everything right or please everyone but asks that they indulge him for his errors.