LAD#4- Federalist #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?

Factions are so difficult to eliminate because of human nature. As long as men are different; whether it is because of wealth, opinions, or property, they will always group together with others like them. The most important difference between men is property ownership. Men have different amounts and types of property and wealth. For example, the southern aristocrats, as a general rule had more wealth in land, while the northerners had more wealth resulting from and in business, trade etc. This brings on different ways in which each man would wish to be governed in order to best fit his needs. Unless every person was in the same situation, economically at least, it would be almost impossible to eliminate factions. Even with the same economic situation however there would still be many other differences of opinion arising from other things such as the environment and experiences of different people.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

Since actions cannot be removed they can be controlled with the democratic system with the different groups voting and taking majority rule to pass different laws, rules etc. The groups need to also make sure each group has a say in any of the decisions otherwise they would cause conflict due to the human nature of their egos. The check and balance system would help as well for that could control one group from getting too much power.

LAD#3- The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a document that was signed on July 4, 1776 pronouncing the separation of the American colonies from the crown rule of Britain. The opening paragraph of the document announces in trying times of politics the god given right to a separation of power that is being over seen in the government. The proceeding paragraph affirms the rights that all men are permitted and or required to have no matter the situation of government. These basic rights included “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. It also proclaims the right of the being able to overthrow the present government when the basic rights of all men are compromised those politicians in the acting office in the government. It then states that King of Britain has violated those rights of the British citizens living in the colonies; citing infractions that have occurred. These infringements including but not limited to forcing residents of the colonies to provide room and food for armies during time of peace without approval of the colonists themselves, taxation without representation, cutting off trade with countries other then Britain, and not having a trail by rule of a jury. The final paragraphs conclude the feeling of the colonists living under the rule of Britain without a say in government that is across the Atlantic Ocean and declares the colonies “FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES” from the mother country of Britain.

Political Cartoon #1- The American Rattlesnake

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?

The carton entitled “The American Rattle Snake” by James Gillray was published in April 1782 while peace negotiations had begun between the British forces and American rebels. The snake is demonstrating the confidence the Americans had over the British by boasting, "Two British Armies I have thus Burgoyn'd, And room for more I've got behind.", while the sign held by the tail reads, "An Apartment to Lett for Military Gentlemen." As this appeared in the London newspapers it encouraged the ending of the war due to the surrender of General Burgoyne's forces at Saratoga, New York, in1777, and General Cornwallis's at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781.

2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?

The message the cartoonist is trying to convey is that it suggests the futility of further British efforts to suppress forcibly the Americans. The metaphor of the snake represents the tactic of guerrilla warfare the Americans used fighting the British. Rather than fighting in the traditional European style of facing each other in battle the American troops would surround the British leaving them helpless to defend such an attack. Gillray clearly supports the ending of the war on the behalf of the British since the odds are against them.

3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?

The results from the issue of the needed ending of the American Revolution addressed in “The American Rattle Snake” was that although the Treaty of Paris was not signed ending the war until 1783 it showed the British realization of the inevitable results of defeat.

LAD#2- The Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was white male printer from Germany that became a printer for the New York weekly journal.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

The controversy over his charges was that although Hamilton did admit to the printing of such articles he refused to accept them as libel since the stories that were published in fact true.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

His case has an influence on American governmental tradition due to the creation of the First Amendment so it would protect our freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, "and of the press."
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

The lasting significance of his trail was that his win against the New York Colonial Governor William Cosby was landmark win in the battle of freedom of press and the establishment of the Bill of Rights for all Americans.

LAD#1- The Mayflower Compact/Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The concepts that are included in the Mayflower Compact are the formation of a new government, staying loyal to the mother countries of England, France and Ireland as well as God. Furthermore, it included the vow to sustain laws, ordinances, acts and constitutions.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

The Mayflower compact reflects both the “Old” and “New” worlds since in the agreement there was no mention of America and was instead just included with the mother country.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut and the Mayflower Compact differ since the Mayflower Compact was quite general in the description of the new laws that were going to be created and was just an agreement while the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were specific to the regulations that the government was going to create. Also Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was about individual rights rather than the good of the people the way the Mayflower Compact was.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government with a written Constitution since they feared the threat of having one person gaining to much control and having all the say in the creation of laws.

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?
The fundamental orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few by creating a system based on elections of officials and the creation of different branches that keep control of one another therefore being based on a check and balances to protect the rights of the citizens.