LAD #8- The Monroe Doctrine

In the initial paragraph of the doctrine that was included in the seventh annual address to congress by President Monroe addressed that the Emperor of Russia, as well as the King of Britain, both suggest that the Americans and themselves establish a strong sense of friendship among each other. Furthermore the decision has been made that the United States will no longer be considered an area in which future colonization by European powers can be made. The next paragraph follows stating that the Spanish and Portuguese have made attempts to help make improvements to their colonies in the west. The United States, although very excited and supportive of these efforts, did not contribute in anyway, for they felt that they only intervene in foreign affairs when their rights were tampered with, and military movement would only be defensive. The Americans explain that they wish to take no part in the affairs of the Europeans and aspire to stay neutral in all conflicts when it is ever possible. It is further stated that the United States will make no attempts to oppress or attack any country which has just recently announced their independence. It is then continually clarified that Europe is obviously unsettled, and that America will not become involved in this period of unsettlement. They wanted to keep strict firm and friendly relations with everyone. Yet keep an equal distance and closeness to all of them, as well as eliminating all possible injuries that may come to them from other countries. To close this doctrine it is elucidated that it would only endanger the wonderful political system of the allied powers to try and spread it throughout Europe. They recognize that different countries have different political systems and that it would be impossible to subdue them. The United States will simply follow their own course and hope that other countries will pursue the same political government.

LAD#7- Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

The election of Thomas Jefferson was a trying time for the young United States. This was due to the fact that although Jefferson was the third president of the nation, he was the first anti-federalist president. This caused a number of problems; one of these problems being a split vote in the election between him and Aaron Burr. However he became president as the House of Representatives voted him into office. With the title came a huge undertaking as he proclaims in the address as well as thanking those who voted for him to become president. With the recognition of the difficulty that he was about to face as leader of the nation he declared himself right for the job, stating he will use his wisdom, virtue, zeal and aid of the constitution to guide the young nation in such trying times. He also announces that even with the challenges awaiting him and the nation, he felt that this was the greatest government in the world. Jefferson comprehends the fact of the creation and establishment of the different political parties may increase conflict but will be or the betterment of the country as a whole providing different sides and viewpoints to most issues. Finally he gives his word to carry out his duties as commander and chief to the best of his abilities with the intent on creating a better country for all to live in.

LAD#6- Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington had been the obvious choice to be the first president of the United States, and indeed, many people had supported ratification of the Constitution on the assumption that Washington would be the head of the new government. By all measures, Washington proved himself a capable, even a great, president, helping to shape the new government and leading the country skillfully through several crises, both foreign and domestic.

Washington, like many of his contemporaries, did not understand or believe in political parties, and saw them as fractious agencies subversive of domestic tranquility. When political parties began forming during his administration, and in direct response to some of his policies, he failed to comprehend that parties would be the chief device through which the American people would debate and resolve major public issues. It was his fear of what parties would do to the nation that led Washington to draft his Farewell Address.

The two parties that developed in the early 1790s were the Federalists, who supported the economic and foreign policies of the Washington administration, and the Jeffersonian Republicans, who in large measure opposed them. The Federalists backed Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton's plan for a central bank and a tariff and tax policy that would promote domestic manufacturing; the Jeffersonians opposed the strong government inherent in the Hamiltonian plan, and favored farmers as opposed to manufacturers. In foreign affairs, both sides wanted the United States to remain neutral in the growing controversies between Great Britain and France, but the Federalists favored the English and the Jeffersonians the French. The Address derived at least in part from Washington's fear that party factionalism would drag the United States into this fray.

Two-thirds of the Address is devoted to domestic matters and the rise of political parties, and Washington set out his vision of what would make the United States a truly great nation. He called for men to put aside party and unite for the common good, an "American character" wholly free of foreign attachments. The United States must concentrate only on American interests, and while the country ought to be friendly and open its commerce to all nations, it should avoid becoming involved in foreign wars. Contrary to some opinion, Washington did not call for isolation, only the avoidance of entangling alliances. While he called for maintenance of the treaty with France signed during the American Revolution, the problems created by that treaty ought to be clear. The United States must "act for ourselves and not for others."

The Address quickly entered the realm of revealed truth. It was for decades read annually in Congress; it was printed in children's primers, engraved on watches and woven into tapestries. Many Americans, especially in subsequent generations, accepted Washington's advice as gospel, and in any debate between neutrality and involvement in foreign issues would invoke the message as disparities of all questions. Not until 1949, in fact, would the United States again sign a treaty of alliance with a foreign nation.

Political Cartoon #2- "Rise it Will"

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?
This political cartoon appeared in the Massachusetts on August 2, 1788 and was depicting the how the states of America were agreeing to the signing of the Constitution. This would give America the government it needed to succeed as the basis of it was that both the state and federal government would have equal power rather that the complete control of the federal government under the rule of the king and the unanimous power the states had under the Articles of Confederation. The initial pillar represents Delaware being the first to ratify the Constitution when they did it on December 7, 1787 as the rest of the states followed suit.

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

The cartoonist is trying to convey his frustration he has that North Carolina and Rhode Island are dragging they’re feet as if that had cement shoes on in approving the signing of the Constitution. This is due to the fact that the author was from Massachusetts since it was in the Massachusetts Centinal and Massachusetts was in favor of the Constitution since it was the sixth state to ratify the document. Also the author is showing the aggravation since he depicts the Rhode Island’s pillar in an abysmal state. On the other hand he is showing faith in North Carolina as that pillar is starting to be upright with the other states. The reason behind the lack of enthusiasm Rhode Island showed in the constitution was that the states would have less power than they did under the Articles of Confederation; instead of every state having equal say it would become based on population of the state, not favoring Rhode Island.

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

The effect of the cartoon was that it showed those in Rhode Island the almost unanimous feeling in favor of the Constitution and that they should join as well. This was a triumphant cartoon applying pressure on Rhode Island and North Carolina to ratify the document to create a foundation to the better organization o governing the country as the title “The Federal Edifice” implies. The cartoon must have had some success as Rhode Island ratified the constitution on May 29, 1790.