Thursday, September 30, 2010
LAD #7: Washington's Farewell Address
Washington thanks the people for previously electing him twice but states that he will not be running for president again. He has aspired to retire for some time, but decided to take the responsibility of governing the natin as long as he had. He has done the best he could to better the nation for the benefit of the people. He commends the people as well as each region of the country, North, South, East and West, for their contribution to the growth of the nation. Washington includes insight as to how to preserve the union and the government. He warns against the development of political parties. He highlights the need for checks of power within government. The natural rights of people should be protected. Avoid debt by "cultivating peace" i.e. remaining neutral and avoiding alliances.
LAD #6: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
As several european countries are warring, America shall take a position "friendly and impartial" toward each of the nations. American citizens are encouraged to act in neutral ways as well. If a citizen should go against this and aid or show contempt towards any nations to which america has claimed itself neutral will not be protected by the US, and will be prosecuted.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
LAD #5: Federalist #10
1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
The answer to this lies within the definition of a faction as described: "a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." This unity under a common cause is what makes factions difficult to eliminate.
2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
Factions can be manipulated by either removing its causes or controlling its effects. Causes can be removed by either revoking the liberty that allows its existence, or making the public uniform; having the same opinions, passions and interests. This is however, illogical, as this would be the taking of liberty. In addition, people will almost always develop their own opinions. Also, a uniform society would only lead to larger factions.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Blog #4 - Revolution Article
Five Things I learned:
1. The Founding Fathers edited how they would be remembered in history. Both Adams and Franklin created memoirs, and Washington allowed the creation of a biography.
2. The forth of July has lost its original significance. Initially, it was a memorial day, focusing on the American men who fell in battle, and the suffering of the war years. Now we just blow stuff up...
4. The horrifying details of the actual fighting are downplayed. History focuses primarily on the revolution and events leading up to it. Gruesome realities of the fighting, including a near fifty percent death rate among POW's, and pummeling conditions like cold and hunger are often left out.
5. American civilians suffered a great deal. They faced disease spread by both armies, as well as murder by British soldiers in several instances.
Monday, September 20, 2010
LAD #3: Declaration of Independence
1. Democratic Principles
The American Declaration of Independence, through its writing, gives several democratic principles and ideals, appropriately, the one of the first of these being that people have the right to abolish or alter government and establish a new one if the reasoning is readily justifiable. Perhaps the most famous of the principles listed in the declaration are those stating that all men are created equal, and the unalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. List a handful of grievances
In the declaration, a list of grievances is included to support the justness of the Americans' actions. Among these are legislative, military and judiciary wrongs. These include: the revoking of charters, suspending of American legislatures, limiting trade with all parts of the world, taxation without consent, refusal of trial by jury, biasing of judges, occupation of a standing army in a time of peace, and the quartering of said forces.
3. Conclusion
In response to these wrongs, Americans had peacefully petitioned for redress to the British monarchy, without results, thus, separation was necessary and justified. For the good of the people, the united colonies establish themselves as free and independent states, exempt from authority of the British crown.
The American Declaration of Independence, through its writing, gives several democratic principles and ideals, appropriately, the one of the first of these being that people have the right to abolish or alter government and establish a new one if the reasoning is readily justifiable. Perhaps the most famous of the principles listed in the declaration are those stating that all men are created equal, and the unalienable rights of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2. List a handful of grievances
In the declaration, a list of grievances is included to support the justness of the Americans' actions. Among these are legislative, military and judiciary wrongs. These include: the revoking of charters, suspending of American legislatures, limiting trade with all parts of the world, taxation without consent, refusal of trial by jury, biasing of judges, occupation of a standing army in a time of peace, and the quartering of said forces.
3. Conclusion
In response to these wrongs, Americans had peacefully petitioned for redress to the British monarchy, without results, thus, separation was necessary and justified. For the good of the people, the united colonies establish themselves as free and independent states, exempt from authority of the British crown.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
LAD #2: John Peter Zenger
1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was born of German descent in 1697, and came to the colony of New York in 1710. He was an apprentice to William Bradford, the printer of the New York Gazette, and in 1733 began printing the New York Weely Journal, an opposition newspaper aimed at the arbitrary use of power by royal colonial governor, William Cosby.
2. What was the controversy over his charges?
In 1734, Cosby had Zenger arrested and jailed for ten months, and in 1735 he was put on trial, charged with seditios libel. Zenger's defense was represented by Andrew Hamilton of Philidelphia. The prosecution argued that the publishing of Zenger's reports was enough for conviction, however, Hamilton argued that althoough Zenger was responsible for publishing the articles, it was only libel if the accusations made in said articles were false.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
Zenger was found not guilty by the jury and was acquitted of the charges against him. This was due in part to Hamilton's presenting of his case directly to the jury and asking them to consider the law as well as the facts. It also influenced a decrease in the use of arbitrary judicial power in libel cases.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
In addition to setting the aforementioned example involving the decrease of judicial tyranny in libel cases, the Zenger trial reflected several other judiciary precedents. For instance, Hamilton's legal victory established the idea that the truth is an absolute defense against libel. In addition, the success of the case demonstrated that if a statement can be proven fact, it its not libelous, therefore supporting freedom of the press.
LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The Mayflower compact demonstrates several political and ideological concepts that would later become prominent in American government and culture. The compact established the first self governing body in the British North American colonies. In addition, in the phrase "...for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all do submission and obedience" the republican philosophy of putting the good of the whole before those selfish needs of the individual.
2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
In a way, the document creates promises to both the society and government of the old world as well as to the inhabitants of the would-be colony that was to be established in the New World and its people. In the opening of the document its creators reference themselves as "loyal subjects" in addition to citing the founding of the new colony as an undertaking for god, king and country. On the other side of the spectrum, the compact shows a dedication of the group to create a governing political body, for better order and preservation, that shows interest in the good of its people.
3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
An obvious difference between the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is the specificity of the document. Both show an obligation to establish some form of colonial government, but the Fundamental Orders establish a concrete framework for a central government whereas the Compact is more of a promise to do so. The Fundamental Orders also include set processes for the election of officials by democratic vote of the people along with civil duties of the people to participate in courts. Also notable in the Fundamental orders is the demonstrated loyalty to god, however lacking a statement in support of the king as found in the Mayflower Compact.
4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
The colonies of New England, including Connecticut, have been historically noted for the significance of religion in society. In the preamble for the Fundamental Orders in which, as aforementioned, there is a strong presence of a sentiment of loyalty to god, but no such statement affirming loyalty to the British crown. In addition, much of Connecticut's demographic consisted of puritans who had come from Massachusetts. The group originally immigrated to the New World in search of religious tolerance and aversion of persecution by the monarchy. This suggests the possibility of the desire to stray from a form of government such as monarchy in which one has absolute power and strive to found a more democratic government, quite the inverse of that which had persecuted the group in the Old World.
5. In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?
Once again, the obvious stress on democratic ideology and civil involvement suggests the desire to avoid a form of government that places power in the hands of a few. This is reflected in the democratic processes of election of officials by the people to represent them, as well as strong citizen involvement in courts and government in general.
The Mayflower compact demonstrates several political and ideological concepts that would later become prominent in American government and culture. The compact established the first self governing body in the British North American colonies. In addition, in the phrase "...for the general good of the colony; unto which we promise all do submission and obedience" the republican philosophy of putting the good of the whole before those selfish needs of the individual.
2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
In a way, the document creates promises to both the society and government of the old world as well as to the inhabitants of the would-be colony that was to be established in the New World and its people. In the opening of the document its creators reference themselves as "loyal subjects" in addition to citing the founding of the new colony as an undertaking for god, king and country. On the other side of the spectrum, the compact shows a dedication of the group to create a governing political body, for better order and preservation, that shows interest in the good of its people.
3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
An obvious difference between the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is the specificity of the document. Both show an obligation to establish some form of colonial government, but the Fundamental Orders establish a concrete framework for a central government whereas the Compact is more of a promise to do so. The Fundamental Orders also include set processes for the election of officials by democratic vote of the people along with civil duties of the people to participate in courts. Also notable in the Fundamental orders is the demonstrated loyalty to god, however lacking a statement in support of the king as found in the Mayflower Compact.
4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
The colonies of New England, including Connecticut, have been historically noted for the significance of religion in society. In the preamble for the Fundamental Orders in which, as aforementioned, there is a strong presence of a sentiment of loyalty to god, but no such statement affirming loyalty to the British crown. In addition, much of Connecticut's demographic consisted of puritans who had come from Massachusetts. The group originally immigrated to the New World in search of religious tolerance and aversion of persecution by the monarchy. This suggests the possibility of the desire to stray from a form of government such as monarchy in which one has absolute power and strive to found a more democratic government, quite the inverse of that which had persecuted the group in the Old World.
5. In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?
Once again, the obvious stress on democratic ideology and civil involvement suggests the desire to avoid a form of government that places power in the hands of a few. This is reflected in the democratic processes of election of officials by the people to represent them, as well as strong citizen involvement in courts and government in general.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
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