LAD 16- Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation

It was easy to say that one of Lincoln's defining moments as presidant involved the Emancipation Proclamation. This statement was made in light of all of the slaves which had been freed and therefore escaped up to the North. This started as a very small number originally but as Union armies advanced the amounts of these freed man increased and eventually the document was extended to make slavery illegal in all but Maryland, Delaware, Missouri and Kentucky. The territories which would eventually become West Virginia were also included as those to be exempt. This statement was meant as a way to inceit slaves in the confederacy to come to the North and join with the Northern forces. However as the South already had decided that it didnt obey Northern laws, it wasnt about to obey this one. Despite this it was a huge moral step forward and then eventually led to the passing of the thirteenth amendment which outlawed slavery in all territories across the country. It is also important to note that Lincoln did not put the proclamation through Congress but rather passed it himself using his war empowered presidancy.

LAD 15- Lincoln's Second Inaugural

Lincoln's Second Inaugural

Lincoln's second inaugural address is one of the most notable addresses of all time. To start it was Lincoln's favorite address and included the issues of the war and slavery. These positions took a sad and sinful tone more than a triuphant tone. At this time slavery had been successfully ended and the war almost been won. However it was clear that a vengeful attack on the South was imminent and it would take the form of reconstruction. Lincoln made sure to warn against the wrongs in approaching the situation that way. He made it clear that the best way to help the country was to help the South and in this way the overall status of the country would improve. He also stressed the impact of slaves on the war and how it did not make sense to fight over something so morally wrong. It was also acknowledge exactly how disastorus the war was. By this he meant the far-reaching effects on both halves of the ocuntry and the utter devastation which occured in the South. It was here where Lincoln begin saying that it was important to help rebuild the South and therefore rebuild that nation. For a by making half of the union stronger you make the union stronger.

LAD 14- Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott Decision

Through the trial Dred Scott vs. Sanford the court addressed many important issues. These issues included things such as, the status of blacks in society, the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise and Scott's status as a free man or a alsve. The first decision to be made was that Scott was not a citizen and for that matter was property. Since neither property or aliens can legally sue, there was no decision to be made. This obviously also meant that Scott was considered a slave since that was his status before the case and therefore it would continue to be his status. The court also made it clear that the Missouri Compromise worked against due process and the inalienable rights of humans. This was clearly an issue because these rights are defended in the constitution and were very obviously being denied through the fact that people were not being allowed to decide if they wanted slaves or not. This put the law in violation of the constitution and therefore it must be considered unconstitutional and thrown out. This was a great ruling for the South cause it meant that slaves could now be held anywhere in the Lousiana Territory. Without these limitations the North took one step backward in their quest to put an end to slavery.

Lad 13- Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg Address

"The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here". This was uttered by Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address in which he dedicated a cemetery to the fallen soldiers there. This was quite ironic because not only did we not forget what happened there, but also what he said there became one of the most famous speeches in American history. The United States, which was originally founded based on liberty, freedom, and the equality of all men, was fighting over one of the biggest problems during this time period, slavery. This civil war was a test of the nation's ability to stay strong and united as a whole. Not only was Gettysburg a historic battlefield, but was also a place where soldiers were buried after they gave their last fight for what they believed in. In this case, either they were fighting for or against slavery. Lincoln said that after the war is over the nation will have a rebirth of freedom and will overcome one of its greatest obstacles.

LAD 12- Lincoln's First Inaugural

Lincoln's First Inaugural

Lincoln's first inaugural touched on many important points which ended up leading to his stance through the first term. He showed huge support for the fugitive slave law and therefore took a strong stance to leave "the institution of slavery" in places where it was. He then swore to preserve the union and in doing so defend the constitution of the United States. Along with this he made the statement that he would not invade the South unless they infringed on his duty to uphold the union. What this address mostly came down to was the issues of Slavery. Lincoln was fine with the Corwin Amendment although he thought it was merely restating what is said in the Constitution, which, as he said, is the highest law of the land. It was also made clear to the people that nothing in the Constitution has any bearing on what states can or can not be slave states. Therefore Lincoln was fine with slavery existing and in that sence would not fight it.

LAD 11- Calhoun Speech

Calhoun's Speech

When presenting the issue of slavery and how it is dividing the nation Calhoun must wonder how the union can be perserved. Party alliances were at one point were even used as an attempt to unite the union. The idea was that Democrats in the South could find common ground with Democrats in the North. However even this fell through. The origin of the discontent is that the Southern states felt that they could not continue with “honor and safety” and still be a part of the union. These feelings were incited partly because of slavery, but also because it was and had been clear that the North more representation in government since they have a greater population. As well as this new states were added giving the North more states and throwing off the balance of power in the senate. The South has paid most of the tariff since they are the exporting more than other parts of the country, yet the North has reaped most of the benefits from this tariff money. In addition more immigrants end up in the North, which contributes to their larger population. The South is now left with the choice between abolition and secession. It was not easy for the South to secede however, because many ‘cords’ bound the union together and it would take significant time to severe all of them. To save the union it is clear that we must make continually compromises and move to resovle all of the problems between the sections. .

LAD 10- Polks Address

LAD 10 Polks Address

In March 1845 “diplomatic intercourse” between the U.S. and Mexico was ended. The U.S. saw fit to address the issue of the mistreatment of its citizens by Mexico. In addition, when an envoy was sent to Mexico to help work out the differences, he was not received or listened to. Mexico then proceeded to invade the U.S. and kill its citizens. On the12th of March he envoy sent by the President was refused by Mexico, which has offended the U.S. Therefore, because of the threat against Texas, which was now part of the United States The president sent an army between the Nueces and the Del Norte to defend Texas. The commander of this army was told to not take aggressive action against Mexico, unless it attacked first. The commander of the Mexican army after the U.S. army arrived told the U.S. to leave, even though it had a right to be there. Soon, it attacked killing 16 U.S. citizens. Mexico had left no other option open except for war, even though we repeatedly tried to negotiate, and therefore, the President asked Congress to recognize and declare war on Mexico.

LAD 9- Seneca Falls Declaration

LAD Seneca Falls Decleration

Its is clear that one a group of people has the right to change their position in society it is neccessary and proper for them to list their reasons. We believe that all men and women are created equal, and that they have been given certain rights that all governments are required to protect. When a government is not able to do so it is the right, or even the duty, of the people to overthrow the government and set up a new one. Women are demanding equality decause they have not been respected by the government,. They have been wronged by man in many ways: They have refused to give women representation in what the see as their government and compelled them to submit to laws which they did not have any say in. It has been decided that a married woman is little more than her husband’s slave and can own no property of her own. Their request for equal position in either the government, the work place, or in religion has been denied. It has been made incredibly difficult for women to get an education as well. Because of these wrongs, women demand that they be given equality. This shall be accomplished by eliminating all laws holding her to lower positions in the current matriachral society. Women shall be allowed to vote, and men will respect women. It is necessary for theses things to be done in order to give women their rightful places in the world.