LAD 4- Federalist Papers #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are so difficult to eliminate because of the fact that in any situation different opinions will develop over the least bit of conflict or disagreement. It is here where the grouping of people who share these opinions occurs and it is here where they are so difficult to eliminate. This is simply due to the fact that people could never all share the same opinions because it is in their nature to disagree on them. This does not make it difficult to eliminate factions it makes it impossible. There is no way in which you could control a group’s thoughts or force them to think a certain way when it is against there very nature to do so.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

They only two ways to control factions would be to remove either their causes or their effects. To remove their causes could not be done because, once again, you can not control or remove human nature and human opinion. On top of that the only way to try and even discourage the effects of a faction would be to control the property of each individual and therefore stripping them of their basic unalienable rights. The only way to control their effects is to have the people elect representatives who then in turn make the decisions for them, which encourages decisions to be made for the good of the people they are put their to serve.

LAD 2- Zenger Trial

Zenger Trail LAD

1. John Peter Zenger was a printer and editor of the New York Weekly Journal. He came to the colonies from Germany in 1710 and was an apprentice under William Bradford, who was the printer of the New York Gazette. He was later hired by a group of wealthy men, who greatly opposed the actions of Colonial Governor William Crosby, and began his work on the New York Weekly Journal publishing controversial articles fighting the injustices of the current British colonial system and government.

2. The controversy over his charges was that first he was accused of seditious libel for publishing numerous articles which were critical of Colonial Governor William Crosby. Then to add to this controversy the bond to get him out of jail was set so incredibly high that neither Zenger nor his friends could pay it. The trial was then also delayed for nine months. Hamilton’s defense for the trial was simple and effective, if the information is true than it cannot be considered libel. Against the will of the judge the jury gave a verdict of not guilty due to that very defense.

3. The results of this trial served a great deal of good to American governmental tradition. It carefully showed the power and duty of the jury to fight unjust laws. This is done by simply handing down a not guilty verdict in a case where the law is in question. This was a big deal in this particular case because of the fact that the judge requested and even demanded the jury members to give Zenger a verdict of guilty.

4. The lasting significance of this trial is obvious as it clearly defends the right of people to free press. This freedom is clearly noted and protected in the US constitution today as part of the First Amendment, or part of the Bill of Rights. This trial also served to protect the rights jury and therefore but a check on the power of the court judge.

LAD 1- Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of Conneticut

Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders LAD

1. The concepts included in the Mayflower compact are those of a basic representative governing body and that of a democracy. That along with a basic concept of a written and accessible collection of laws which can be easily understood by the whole colony.

2. The Mayflower Compact displays both a connection to both old and new worlds in both its wording and ideals. The colonists clearly refer to themselves as loyal subjects to the King and acknowledge the fact that he is King through the grace of God. However the tie to New World ideas is evident in the concepts that are listed as they are all representative as the majority of the people and are democratically decided.

3. The Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders or Connecticut are different in many ways, mainly this is seen the safeguards against gaining tyrannical power which are outlined in the Fundamental Orders. The Fundamental Orders also take on a very heavy influence for religion considering the numerous times the word of god and/or that of Jesus are mentioned compared to these references in the Mayflower Compact.

4. What most likely prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take the approach of a written constitution is the wrongdoings of a previous governing body or even the lack of a strong government. This is witnessed in the numerous and detailed steps by which everyone is expected to follow if people wish things to be orderly. There are also numerous ways on which the power of elected officials is kept from getting to out of hand.

5. The first and most obvious way in which power is kept under the control of the people is that elected officials will hold office for only one year and that they will be elected from the people through nominations by the people. There are also numerous ways that power is watched closely through the use of deputies and even the ability of the people to easily call those elected into question. Along with these things the nomination process includes taking certain steps which include fail-safes such as the requirement of those nominated for election to have held a spot in some general court before.

Political Cartoon 1- American Rattlesnake

Francis Gorman
Mr. Decarlo
AP American History
13 September 2006

The American Rattlesnake

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?
The historical events being represented here are the surrender’s of two major British armies. The first came at Saratoga where General Burgyone surrendered to General Horiato Gates and the second came at Yorktown where General Cornwallis was surrounded by George Washington and French Admiral de Grasse. This is clearly displayed in the way the snake, America, is surrounding the 2 armies in its coils.

2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?
The cartoonist is trying to tell the British that their attempts are useless and that they stand no chance against the American army. This is seen by the way the Snake is already coiled around the two British armies and that its third coil announces its vacancy and availability to hold another British army in case they decide to take another shot at the Americans. This cartoonist very obviously supports the Revolutionary cause considering how much he bashes on the British in this cartoon. The confident and almost cocky way in which he says that the Americans could defeat yet another British army shows that he is a clear revolutionist.

3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?
The “American Rattlesnake” had an effect on the thinking of the British people about the Revolution in the colonies. Many people were already concerned about the war and doubted it could be won in 1782 when the cartoon was published in Britain. This cartoon just encouraged this and forced the British to negotiate that much faster. It also helped to encourage the notion that the colonies were much stronger united rather than disjointed. The cartoon helped to encourage the British to negotiate a treaty and to unite the colonies. It also foreshadowed the remaining conflicts that would be solved in the War of 1812