LAD #8 Monroe Doctrine 1823

The Russian government had asked the United States and Britain to be on friendly terms with them. President Monroe is relunctant to accept these terms for fear that one of these European countries will try to colonize the United States in the future. Spain and Portugal were also both asked. President Monroe comments on how the United States had just sat back and watched all of these nations fight one another for the past few years. Our neutrality policies do not let us get involved in those foreign affairs as well as in "long term" alliances with other countries. The United States only gets involved when our rights have been seriously invaded. However we should agree to have peaceful relations with these countries. We do want ourselves to get involved in the stuff that is going on in Spain and Portugal. If one of these European nations brings their political system to the United States it will destroy our peace we have worked so hard to achieve. We should have friendly realtions with European powers, but not get involved in their affairs.

LAD #7 Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address

Thomas Jefferson is both anxious and excited to take on his first executive position of office. He is humble in the idea of taking over such a vast great country. People are allowed to write and speak whatever they want under the constitution, but he wants everyone in America to unite as a whole. Thomas Jefferson wants the Americans to unite under one mind and heart and live like liberty lets them. He wants everyone to remember the things they have gotten rid of such as religious intolerance and political intolerance. Differences of opinion doesn't matter as long as Americans are united. Whether a person is a Republican or a Federalist it shouldn't matter because they are still Americans. American government is better than other governments because it is representative. The government is also great because it is set up so that power is distributed and is not just in the hands of one individual. Jefferson believes that he holds the principles that are key to run this country. He will treat all men equally, whether it be on religion, politics etc. He will continue with the policy of neutrality in foreign affairs. In America people have many freedoms such as freedom of religion, press etc. He has come to realize that in the position he's in people rarely like presidents as much when they are done in office as when they are voted in. He wishes to keep good opinions about him throughout his time in office.

LAD #6 Washington's Farewell Address 1796

It’s time for an election for president and Washington is not running in this election. He is not doing this out of lack of patriotism. He was going to not run in the previous election, but with the state of the United States as it was he decided against it. George Washington hopes that the citizens will not be mad that he is not running again. He is leaving the political scene, but not the patriotic scene. If he has made any great contributions to this country while in office he hopes that people will remember them. The United States government is based upon independence, which protects your peace, safety and liberty. The reason why the United States is independent is because many different people worked together to achieve the common goal of freedom from England. All part of the United States despite their differences all work together to make this country work. The North, South, East, and West all work together in union and therefore make a strong nation. People cannot let “geographic discrimination come between them. Even though people from different parts of the United States are different they are all Americans. The United States Constitution is working much better than the Articles of Confederation had. The political system is based on people making changes to their constitution of their government. People have rights to make their government as well as obey their government. Factions are bad and they ruin mutual interest or common goals. In order to have liberty the powers of a country have be distributed evenly. George Washington advises us that it is dangerous to make parties based on “geographic discrimination.” Parties or factions cause problems with the public and make foreign influence easier. Some people say that parties are good and prevent one group of people dominating another as well as it leads people to have different opinions, which is what this country is based on. However, parties should not be used to cause disunity within a nation. Religion should not be a factor in any government affairs. Try to keep the nations debt to a minimum, debt is evident though and can be controlled by the practice of taxes. The United States should be at peace with all other nations. Anger towards a nation can result in conflict, which could lead to a war. Foreign influence is a nation’s worst enemy, it causes jealousy. Don’t take the side of any particular nation. Have commercial relations with any nation, but politically stay far away from other nations. Only make alliances when it is absolutely necessary. Use the policy of peace whenever applicable. The United States should always use the policy of peace when dealing with other nations.

LAD # 5 Proclamation of Neutrality

At the time this proclamation of neutrality was issued there was a war going on between the countries of Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain and the United Netherlands. George Washington thought it would be best for the United States to not take sides during the war in order to stay out of it. George Washington said no citizens of the United States were allowed to take sides. No citizens are allowed to fight for, aid, or be hostile towards and of the said countries or they will be punished. The proclamation was made on April 22, 1793.

Political Cartoon #6 Rise It Will

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?
The issue that is being represented is the ratification of the United States Constitution.
2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?
The message that the cartoonist is trying to convey is that eleven states or "pillars of the great" would ratify the United States Constitution. Those eleven states were the only states that were unified and Rhode Island and North Carolina were the states that were bringing the unification down. The side of the issue he supports is the eleven states and wanting the other two states to ratify the Constitution as well so the country could be unified.
3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?
The effects this cartoon had on American History were that it showed that in order for the United States Constitution to be effective all the states needed to participate. The results of this issue being addressed were that eventually North Carolina as well as Rhode Island ratified the United States Constitution.