LAD #10

1. What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?
The issuing of the Monroe Doctrine expressed, from a post War of 1812 American point of view, that America was its own country, and that the lands in North America were closed to European powers, which would hopefully prevent another war.

2. What was the Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?
Secretary of State Adams probably was hoping that, with the Monroe Doctrine, the European countries would leave the North American lands alone, and the US would do the same for European land, so the US could continue not engaging in any wars.

3. What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone for American Foreign Policy?
The key phrase in this document is "That the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization."

James Monroe(click hyperlink for source)

My source for this:
Monroe Doctrine

Columbus Blog

In honor of Columbus Day and the beautiful 4-day-weekend it has brought to us students, I now present the Columbus blog with the question of this:

Should Columbus be considered a Hero or a Villian

(answered with the opinion of yours truly: me)

I believe that Christopher Columbus should, in fact, be considered a hero. Yes, I do understand that he went and enslaved/killed a bunch of natives(like many conquistadors and explorers who followed after him), but the way I see it is that Columbus opened the New World. Without Columbus, the land we know today as North and South America would likely not have been discovered for what could have been hundreds of years after the legendary 1492. Had this been the case then the Great country of America(which this blog is dedicated to the history of) might not have been created. Also, if/when the lands called North and South America were discovered later in history there is a very good chance that the enslavement and killing of the native people's would have occurred then, as well, which makes it so there is no benefit for the New World having been found later by someone who was not Columbus. Feel free to disagree, but this is what I believe. Have a good Columbus Day!

Christopher Columbus and boat(click hyperlink for source)

LAD #9

Jefferson's 1st Inaugural Address summarization:

Jefferson's 1st Inaugural Address starts off by talking about how everyone in America should unite. He then goes on to talk about how religious freedom is good and oppression is bad, followed by how talking about how the US Government is strong, both because the people support it and because its run by the people for the people. He then continues by talking about how Americans should continue with their attachment to the union and the Representative Government America has. Next Jefferson talks about how people should have equal rights, and how a person's position should be determined by hard-work rather than birth. Afterwards he begins to list American principles (such as honesty, truth, temperance, the love of man, etc.) and goes on to talk about how prosperous people are happy people. He then brings up his ideals for the government, having the government only intervene to keep people from harming each other and not doing anything else, really. Finally, Jefferson talks about the different things the American government should stand for/have/do(Justice for all men, peace, commerce, good national relationships, remain neutral, support state powers, protect people's rights, have a good army, etc.).

Thomas Jefferson(click hyperlink for source)

My Source for this:
Jefferson's First Inaugural Address