Blog #26: William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech

William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech was to address the issue in the country that had come up with the coinage of silver and gold during the 1800s. Bryan wanted to address the issue over the free coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 silver to 1 gold. Bryan talks about how the issue he is defending is as holy as liberty and that they are representing the larger spectrum of businessmen and laborers. The foundation of his speech is based of how Bryan talks about the individual is but an atom, how he is born and dies but principles are eternal. Bryan calls out the Democrats for disregarding friendship even though they have proposed the issue of money. Bryan does not want a "gold standard" because it would give too much power to the rich. In addition, he also encourages people to fight in defense for their homes and families. Overall, William's cross of gold speech seeks to place caution in the mind about the distribution of power and to not have a gold standard.

There was also strong opposition to the Bank of the United States when it was first formed.

Blog #25: The Dawes Act

Congress enacted the Dawes Act in 1887 and it allocated lands to Indians on different reservations. This act allowed the president to be able to divide up common or tribal lands so that an individual can own them. A portion of this land is given to the head of each family, every person over 18, every orphan under 18 and all the people under 18 born before the Dawes act. The Dawes Act gave the government the power to reserve needed land and the ability to distribute this land to American settlers who were moving out west. The act also gave Native Americans who were not on a reservation equal land as well. One large advantage to this act was that the holder of the land given to them under the Dawes act would become a US Citizen. However, there were many tribes that were left out of the Dawes Act agreement such as the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, Osage, Miamies, Peorias, Sacs and the Foxes.

The Homestead Act of 1862 was another act that gave land to Americans moving out west.

Blog #24: Populist (People's) Party Platform

The Populist party was a left-wing party that advocated for things like free coinage of silver and abolition of national banks. In the Preamble, the party claims that the people of America have been demoralized and that public opinion has been suppressed. The party's main goal was to fix two things: That the currency of the country was not adequate and also how the big industries of America only seek to support wealthy people and companies. During the Platform, they advocate for regulation of railroads to better promote the dissolving of big industry tycoons as well as backing labor unions and calling for the preservation of such unions so that workers can be protected. In addition, they claim that wealth belongs to the individual and that there should be more distribution of wealth to the individual and their desire for a secure national currency. Following this the party also demands for free coinage of silver into gold as well as a graduate income tax. Overall the party advocates for the people, demanding things like public transportation and that land is inherited by the people not the government. In the expression of sentiments, the party lists some types of solutions that could be undergone to express their views. These solutions included a free ballot, fair pensions for soldiers, one-term presidency, no nations aid and shorter working hours.

Donald Trump is considered a populist because he says that the average american comes first and his actions take into account the will of the people.

Blog #23: McKinley's War Message

McKinley largely disagreed with the public's demand for war, however eventually he gave in. This was because of the constant revolts against the government that kept happening in Cuba. It was clear Cuba was trying to escape Spanish oppression and there was no other option but to go to war with Spain to try and protect Cuba. America was trying to avoid foreign involvement and war was McKinley's last resort. Alas he had to give in because America was loosing money, trade was suffering and people begun to get angry with the president. At first McKinley tried to initiate a peaceful solution but all peace options failed and at the end Cuba was still under Spanish control. McKinley also tried to exhaust Spain's effort to maintain Cuba because it was so far away and they would have to keep pouring resources into it, but this also failed and Spain said they planned to keep hold of Cuba. McKinley now realized if they were to save Cuba war was unavoidable and so he put forth his reasons for why the US was justified in going to war over Cuba. He began with saying that the terrible conditions the people were facing in Cuba must be stopped and also because Cuba could pose a threat because it is so close. America should also protect Cuba to spread freedom especially because the Cuban people could not do it alone. McKinley also said that the problems of Cuba could wash up on American shores which is why it should be protected. Finally, he said that offenses to trade and commerce have been going on. McKinley ended his message by saying that peace could be reached and if the war was successful, Cuba will be saved and if not then the US is even more justified to fight.

The United States has also sent aid to Ukraine because of the caution of Russia trying to invade and take control of Ukraine again.     

Blog #22: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

The main idea behind Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth is that there are certain responsibilities that come with the accumulation of wealth. Carnegie talks about how the administration of wealth should be a main focus and also how the large gap between the rich and the poor should be welcomed. Both the rich and the poor benefit civilization in different ways and focuses on Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism is defined as the theory that individuals or groups are subject to the same Darwinian laws of natural selection as plants and animals. Carnegie expresses that even though the the law can be hard for some, overall the country reaps large benefit from it because it ensures that each category of industry is outfitted with the best people. He continues with how the diversity of class helps the country move forward because it ensures that the more ambitious or innovative people succeed and go on to help the country. Carnegie states that the environment of hard work is better for the country than one of comfort and that the "good ole days" were a falsehood because the world has made incredible advancements thanks to social Darwinism and capitalism. The Gospel of Wealth also addresses the "proper way to administer wealth" in which wealth is to be passed through family, public purposes or distributed by the person themselves. Carnegie goes on to state that those with wealth have obligations to society such as how the wealth would benefit the community, to administer their money and to live unostentatious. Carnegie ends the Gospel of Wealth with a great quote of "the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced" reinforcing the fact that the wealthy have the obligation to share their wealth for the benefit of society.

Bill Gates is one man today who has spread his wealth and donated incredible amounts of money to non-profit organizations.
     

Blog #21: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was not only a large stride in black rights but also was a brilliant strategic move from Lincoln during the Civil War. Lincoln knew that there was a chance that France and Britain would join the South in fighting against the North. However, by issuing the emancipation proclamation Lincoln made it a moral war in which Britain and France couldn't get involved because if they joined the south it would be supporting slavery which they were both against. This proclamation declared all slaves in the south free and also ordered that people had to maintain and respect their freedom. Lincoln made it so that any slave that escaped from the Confederacy would be officially free. Then he goes on to list the rebellious states but leaves out the border states of Virginia and Louisiana because Lincoln didn't want them to secede as well. At the end of the proclamation, Lincoln says this was an act of justice deemed worthy by the constitution and says he prays for non-violence and the restoration of peace.

Another huge step in correcting freedmen's rights was Brown v Board in which the supreme court ruled separate but equal was unconstitutional.

Blog #20: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

Lincoln begins his address by stating that there is not a lot more information he can give and no cause for a long speech. His first talks about how the country 4 years back knew about the approaching civil war and tried to halt it in its tracks. His then reflects about how his 1st inaugural address was spoken in the hops of preventing war while this one was in hopes of winning the war and bringing the union back together again. The North and the South could not be content with the other and so they had to go to war although Lincoln points out the the North went to war to keep the union together whereas the South is content to let the nation perish under split opinion. Lincoln continues with talking about how slavery was the main cause of the war and that neither side was ready for just how brutal of a war it had become. Towards the closing of his speech, Lincoln talks about how God has set out this war upon them to punish them for their selfishness and how it is meant to teach a lesson in humility and that everyone is brother and sister. Lincoln ends his speech talking about how he will try his best to put a stop to the war and restore unity among the union delivering a very famous quote: "with malice towards none, with charity to all...".

Woodrow Wilson echoed the same sense of unity during his 2nd Inagural Address.
   

Blog #19: The Dred Scott Decision

The Dred Scott Decision was an incredibly important supreme court ruling concerning the rights of slaves. Dred Scott was a slave that was born in Virginia and bought by John Emerson, a military surgeon. Scott accompanied Emerson to Illinois and the Wincosin Territory which were both free states because of the missouri compromise of 1820.  During this time. Dred Scott married Harriet Robinson and later had 2 children while John Emerson married Irene Sandford while in St. Louis. The trouble came when John Emerson died and Irene tried to hire out the Scotts to work for her and other families. Dred Scott sued for his freedom because the Scotts had been living in free states for the past 9 years but had made no attempt to end their servitude and now that Scotts original owner had died, Dred Scott believed he should now be free. Despite the reasonable causes for trying to get his freedom, Chief Justice Roger Taney ruled with Sandford and brought about into question the ability for Dred Scott to even be allowed to sue. Taney declared that even though some states grant slaves citizenship, this does not pertain to national citizenship which meant Dred Scott was not allowed to sue in the first place. This ruling had a major impact because it deemed the Missouri compromise of 1820 unconstitutional.

Plessy v Furguson was another supreme court ruling that had a large impact on the rights of slaves as it ruled seperate but equal was constitutional which became the law of the land for a long time.
  

Blog #18: Sojouner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech

Sojouner Truth gave this speech at the Women's convention in Arkon Ohio that called out the unfairness and standards in regards to gender. Truth starts her speech by calling out that women are treated as if they cannot do things themselves, such as being helped into carriages or carried over mud-puddles. However, Truth explains that she, as a women, has ploughed fields and done many things that men could not have and yet she was still a women. She further explains the pain and grief she has suffered that no man could ever know and how men will never know how strong it is to battle through a women's hardships. Truth proves that women are capable at a great many things and should have the same rights as men. Truth takes it one step further by also pointing out that men believe a women should be helped but as a black women that is a slave she has never received help of any kind but yet she is still a women. Truth also points out that Christ came from a women as well and that women have incredible power and thus should be equal to men.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg also fought hard that men and women should be equal in all areas of life whether it be jobs or home functions. 

Blog #17: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech

Douglass gave his speech on the 5th of July to make a point about how July 4th is supposedly a day for independence in which the slaves cannot celebrate. Douglass said that the 4th of July is yours not mine, reffering to how America has fulfilled its promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to white men and not anyone else. In his speech, Douglass reflects on the meaning of freedom and challenges whether or not America is the land of the free because it still has slavery. Douglass continues with how the 4th of July serves as a reminder to all those in slavery that this is not a country of freedom at all and can never be until the institution of slavery is forever defeated. Douglass finishes his speech with how he believes that slavery will be wiped out from the abolitionists. Douglass also ends his speech with a poem written by William Lloyd Garrison about how only when the chains of slavery are broken can the country truly be one of freedom and the promise of the constitution made by the founding fathers will be fulfilled.

Martin Luther King Jr also delivered his "I have a dream" speech that emphasized that everyone should be equal in the country

Blog #16: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle in American history and is one of the first images when thinking of the civil war. Lincoln promised the country when he became president he would not let civil war break out but yet it did anyway. Lincoln begins the address by stating four score and seven years ago, in reference to 1776, the young nation of America was founded on hopes and aspirations that the people of the world have the power to seek their own happiness and to fight against tyranny. Lincoln tells the men gathered that they are doing their part to keep their great country together and that they have fought valiantly. Lincoln talks about the bloody destruction and says that the war must end and that these soldiers have unfinished work. Lincoln dedicates the ground as a resting place for the soldiers who died in battle and said that the world may forget what happened year but I will not. Lincoln ends his speech by stating that anything less than complete unity in the country would mean that these men have died in vain and that they still have a job to do so that America shall not perish from this earth. 

John F Kennedy had a similar message when speaking out in his inaugural address, he asks the people, what can you do for your country, again promoting unity and keeping America stable.  

Blog #15: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln starts his address by acknowledging the growing concerns of the south and how they feel their freedoms are at risk under a Republican administration. Lincoln says he has no intention of dealing with the issue of slavery and emphasizes how the balance of power in the country must be kept in balance. Continuing, Lincoln also talks a lot about the importance of not just balance in slavery but in other places such as state's rights and how the unity of the country will determine its success. Lincoln also cites passages from the constitution regarding slavery and states rights and says how they must adhere to the constitution. Lincoln says that he was undertaken to weight in which to preserve the fine cracks that are appearing in America and how his administration will combat the rising tensions that plague the country so that people can thrive under a beautiful diverse nation instead of shut each other out. Lincoln also points out that as a nation, America has suffered and gone through countless tests of will and that although the slavery issue is extremely dominate he will not let the country fall at this moment when it has so much history of perseverance. Lincoln's final words of his address we are not enemies, but friends, we must no be enemies. The overall message of Lincoln's address is one of unity and fixing the tensions that have been growing in the country. 

This theme of unity is similar to Jefferson's address when he spoke that we are all federalists, we are all Republicans 

Blog #14: Calhoun's Speech on the Compromise of 1850

In this speech, Calhoun talks to the senators about how the slavery issue is pulling the country apart and that something must be done by the government to ensure that this is avoided. He also continues by stating that the majority of the problem is the discontent of the South who feels that their freedoms and way of life are being encroached. Calhoun states that the South feels pressured and outnumbered in many areas such as congress, wealth, and land distribution. Calhoun's proposal is that to end the tension the government needs to appease the South by allowing them equal right to territory and slaves so that their is balance in the two sides. Calhoun fought hard against the compromise of 1850, however it was still passed. 

Lincoln was also a huge advocate against letting the south leave and fought the civil war because he knew how important keeping the south was for America.  

Blog #13 Polk's War Message 1864

Summary of Polk's War Message
Polk begins his address by stating that America wished to establish peace with Mexico so that both countries could be good neighbors and to settle the issues of border disputes. However, when America first sent an envoy over to Mexico to begin political discussion, they refused to receive him or listen to any of his propositions and also invaded US territory shedding blood in the process. Polk proceeds by accounting how John Slidell was sent over to Mexico on friendly terms to promote discussion about new areas of tension between two countries. The Mexican Government led by General Herrera denied Slidell any discussion. Continuing, Polk describes how shortly after this event, Herrera yielded the government to a new leader General Paredes however Paredes also rejected diplomatic talks with the US. As tensions were rising, military troops were sent in at the Texan Border to prepare if Mexico were to invade Texas, which was now becoming an integral part on the union. Mexican troops also lined their side of the border and eventually fighting broke out when 63 American troops became engaged in a skirmish with Mexican troops on the Rio del Norte. Polk finishes by stating how war with Mexico is inevitable and that the war is necessary to maitain American pride and to retaliate against Mexico's unruly actions with diplomacy and the border.


The XYZ affair was another instance in which diplomacy was refused between American and France which led to further tension.