LAD#9 Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

In Thomas Jefferson's INaugural address, all minds were focused on the rivalry between the Federalist Party and the Republican, or Anti-Federalist Party. Surprisingly, Jefferson, rather than insulting the Federalists, commended the fact that the differences in opinion of the two parties were allowed to be shared freely, regardless of confrontations. This settled the Federalists, as they were upset about losing power in the government. In the address, Jefferson spoke about how good, strong government would protect the people from injustics, and uphold the freedom of the persuit of happiness. Additionally, he promised that property of United States citizens would never be unjustly taken, and that equal and exact justice will be given to all men. In terms of foreign policy, he spoke of peaceful and honest relations with other countries, and, like Washington, talked about not being involved in entangling alliances.

Like Jefferson, Obama discussed important issues of the nation and his plans to fix the problems. Additionally, he payed respects to his competing candidate.

LAD #8 Columbus

Christopher Columbus should not be considered a hero. To start, his quest was originally to find Asia, and happened upon the Americas by mistake. His success was accidental, and he never creditted or payed the man who actually first spotted land. Secondly, his immediate response upon meeting the natives was that they should make fair slaves. ("they would make fine servants... with fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want"). In two years, he and his people managed to kill half of a 250,000 population of Indians. He gave them impossible tasks to meet false statistics that he had given to the Spanish royalty, and when the Indians could not meet these tasks, they were murdered in horrific ways, such as burning, bleeding out, hanging, and being fed to dogs. Additionally, once the encomienda system was implemented, he and his men went to extensive and unnecessary efforts to dehumanize the Indian population, by forcing them to carry the Spaniards everywhere, and keep them cool by fanning them with large leaves. Spaniards murdered Indians for little to no reason, or just for fun. Regardless of the fact that these acts of subjugation occurred with other men, Columbus's accidental success and what he did with it give reason to credit him as a villain, rather than a hero.



Lewis and Clarke were explorers similar to Columbus. Like Columbus, they explored the New World, however for them, it was only the United States. Additionally, their relationship with the Natives were quite good, as they relied on them for navigational help, unlike Columbus.

LAD #7 Washington's Farewell Address

In his Farewell Address, Washington informs United States citizens that he will not be running for President again. He expressed hope that the public would elect another qualified man to take his place as President. He expressed thankfulness for all that America had given him and gave parting advice. He stressed that a unified government was responsible for the protection of liberty, people, peace, and prosperity, as well as emphasizing that when all sections of the country work together, great things can be achieved. He also warned against competing political parties that could divide the country and lead to the oppression of a single group. Religion and morality is necessary in leading a successful country. Finally, he said that alliances with foreign powers could be beneficial, but to be careful because other foreign powers influence could be disastrous.



The 22nd Amendment restricts the President to 2 terms in office. This was created in example of Washington's 2 terms, to prevent one man from having power for too long.

LAD #6 Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality

Washington, noting that the United States was not in a good position to take part in European conflicts, decided that the US would be neutral to any European affairs. He instructed citizens to adopt their neutral status and not make any move to make their country look like it had sided with any European power. And hostile action towards European powers by US citizens would be met with punishment.

Similar to Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793, The United States decided to remain neutral in European powers upon the outbreak of WWII. However, later in the war, the United States joined the Allies.

LAD #5 Federalist #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
A) The factions are difficult to eliminate because they are based in liberty and the collection of a common interest. To eliminate them, you would have to generalize the population to have the desired opinions and aspirations, or eliminate their liberty to form their own. However, liberty to form individual opinions is what America was based upon.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
A) Factions can be controlled by limiting their effects. The effects of a smaller faction is controlled because they would be outvoted by a larger faction. In this way, a democracy is ideal because the majority always wins.



The Bill of Rights was passed after the Federalist #10 by the same men. However, The Federalist Papers were originally opposing the Bill of Rights because they were afraid that it would be misinterpreted that the rights listed on the Bill of Rights were the only rights that the people had.