LAD #10: Monroe Doctrine

A cartoon portraying Uncle Sam standing protectively over the Western hemisphere with the Monroe Doctrine

1. What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?
It showed their confidence, almost arrogance, after the War of 1812, when nationalism was high in America after not-losing the war. They wanted the U.S. to be recognized as an independent and strong country. At the same time, they didn't want European countries to continue to expand into central and South America. The peoples in that area had recently won their independence from Europe, and America, who supported their ideas, wanted them to keep it because of their more Republican views.

2. What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?
He wanted to keep the Americas from falling under European control again, after they had already declared their independence. He didn't want to mix the Old and New Worlds' political ideas. One line in the doctrine was, "the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers..." showing his hope for the Americas to break completely with the Old World.

3. "Our policy in regard to Europe... is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries from none." This sentence shows the desire of Americans to remain neutral and untangled from European politics and to try to maintain a good relationship with those countries while not tolerating any rights violations.

Columbus Blog #8

Columbus meeting Native Americans.

Though Columbus could easily be considered both a hero and a villain, I believe he shows the qualities of a villain to a greater extent. He is often seen as a great man who discovered America, even though the discovery was accidental and there had been other Europeans before him who had reached it - he is just known for it. According to Zinn, he even should be considered as bad as the Spanish conquistadores, Pizarro and Cortés, for exploiting the Native Americans for the sake of glory and for his own country's gain. He killed and attempted to enslave and manipulate them. He said, “They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance... They would make fine servants... With 50 men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.” He was very insensitive towards the lives of these other humans. Also, had he not happened to stumble upon America on his quest to find a better trade route, another European would undoubtedly still have found it; it would be later than 1492, but it would have happened anyway. The near eradication of a people can't be forgiven by discovering something that would have been found anyway.

LAD #9

Thomas Jefferson making a speech

Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

He thanks the people who supported him, saying he was humbled by the great task of leading such a powerful and awe-inspiring nation and that he wasn't good enough to be their president though he would try. He tells them he would despair if it weren't for the reliable guidance of the Constitution and of the legislators he addresses. Then he expresses his wish for them all to unite as one nation even though the will of the majority will prevail, saying it would be for the common good. He says that getting rid of religious intolerance wouldn't do much good if they got as politically bad ("capable of wicked and bloody persecutions") as they had been religiously, then that those who opposed the union of the nation and Republicanism should be tolerated as part of the minority. Answering those who think the government system wasn't strong enough, he stated his opinion that it was really the strongest government on earth, and that it was the only thing missing out of the people's lives.

He then lists things that he deemed the most important principles of the government, including equality and justice, friendship with all nations (but no alliances), rights for all state governments, listening to the cares of the majority in elections and otherwise, a good army and economy, freedom of religion, press, and person, and fair trials by jury. He emphasizes that they must be stuck to.

He tells the people again that he won't be a perfect president and asks for their support and forgiveness of his errors. He closes by saying he hopes he and the government will be able to improve the lives of all.