LAD #20 Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1st, 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated that all slaves would be free in the United States, and everyone should recognize them as a free people. He also determined that any states or counties holding slaves would henceforth be in rebellion of the United States. He asked that people abstain from violence, and suggested that the freed slaves work for a fair wage. He also welcomed the newly freed slaves into the United States armed forces.


The Emancipation Proclamation is the dream of Frederick Douglas coming true. He desired a nation where the African American community was free, which was granted by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

LAD#19 Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address was shorter and more blunt than the first. He said that the public was aware of the events in the country as much as he did. Both parties clashed and one would rather destroy the country with war and the other would accept war rather than let the country fail. He discussed how slavery was the primary cause of this war and had been worse than both sides had predicted. Then he talked about how both sides prayed to the same God, but he had not answered their prayers, and had his own plan. He concludes by promising to finish the war and repair the nation.






Franklin Delano Roosevelt was faced with controlling and comforting the country during WWII, just as Lincoln had to in the Civil War.

LAD #18 Dred Scott Decision

In the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford, the court originally leaned towards Sanford. They selected Justice Nelson to write the opinion of the majority, but upon its presentation, it was discovered that his "majority" was just himself. They then changed to have Chief Justice Roger Taney write the majority. First, Taney addressed the issue of citizenship. Saying that African Americans were never truly citizens, and the right to sue in a court of law was reserved for American citizens, Scott actually had no right to sue, as he was not a United States citizen. Taney then went on to say that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because slave owners above the 36 30 line were being deprived of their right to property in the form of slaves. Finally, he said that Dred Scott was still not a free man upon his stay in Illinois, because he had brought suit in Missouri, a slave state. Taney dismissed the court for lack of jurisdiction and sent it back to the lower courts.





The Dred Scott decision is like the 3/5 Compromise because is reasoned that African Americans were not citizens, and could not be considered in activities reserved only for United States citizens.

LAD#17 Ain't I a Woman

In her speech, Sojourner Truth demands questions of the audience to deliver her point. One man had said that women deserve to be carried into carriages and over dirt, but she had never experienced that. Women should be granted good manners but she had never been granted this, but wasn't she a woman? She talked about how she could do the work of any man, and had birthed thirteen children only to see them sold to slavery, but wasn't she a woman? Overall, Truth questions how she could be any different that women everywhere else. Upon closing, she states that if God had created the first woman to be strong enough to turn the world upside down, then women now had to be strong enough to turn it back how it should be, and that men should allow them to do as such.





Like Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a women's rights advocate. She, along with Lucretia Mott, helped organize the Seneca Falls Convention, where the Declaration of Rights of Women was drafted.

LAD#16 5th of July Speech

Frederick Douglass begins his speech by directly questioning the white people in America. He asks them what their Independence Day, (4th of July), has to do with him, or the rest of the black community. He says that his people were not independent on this day, and has no relevance to them. The freedom and individual rights of the white community has no impact on the black community, and this further divides the two races. He highlights that blacks, especially slaves, are treated as subhuman, and do not enjoy the privileges that white people seem to take as a given. He ends by saying that black or white, "we are both men", meaning that there should not be such a deep divide between white people and black people, and the freedoms enjoyed by one should be enjoyed by all.




Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., like Frederick Douglas, was a huge speaker for black rights. Though slaves had been freed since Frederick Douglas spoke, segregation still existed and it was far from equal when Dr. King spoke.

LAD #15 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

President Lincoln begins the Gettysburg Address by reminding the American people that "forescore and seven years ago", the nation was founded upon liberty, justice, and the principle that all men are created equal. Now, The nation is amidst a bloody civil war that brings those principles into question. Lincoln then dedicates the Gettysburg land to those that have fought and died to protect and preserve the American nation. He then goes on to demand that the US not let these soldiers die in vain. It is their duty to finish the job that these brave men started, and not let a government made for the people disappear.


Arlington National Cemetery was created to honor American soldiers that died in battles of various wars in American history, including the Civil War. This is similar to the Gettysburg cemetery created to honor American soldiers that perished in the Civil War,

LAD #14 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In Lincoln's first inaugural address, he began by addressing the hot topic of the time; the division of the North and South, particularly regarding slavery. He declared to represent and maintain the Union, even if it must come to the outbreak of war. To Lincoln, secession is not an option. He sternly, but not maliciously, criticized the south for secession issues, slavery, and the postal service He declared that the North would not be the first to strike for hope of maintaining peace. This was proven correct when the South struck first at Fort Sumter. His speech ends with an intent plea to the citizens of the United States to remain peaceful. He reminds them that it is not in the government's hands, but their own, and reminds them that they should be friends not enemies.




In Thomas Jefferson's Inaugural Address, he, like Lincoln, was responsible for easing the tensions of a divided nation. Lincoln had to ease the division of the North and South, while Jefferson had to address the division between the Federalists and the Republicans.

LAD#13 Calhoun's Speech

In Calhoun's speech, he discusses the dangers of the union, first of how it can be preserved, and then of the causes of the endangerment. The first cause Calhoun discusses is the encroachment of the North into the Federal government. This was to the point that the North had control of Congress and the overal government. This was more than the preconcieved notion that it was merely political factions. Northern involvement in government meant that the South had very little say, and had unfair disadvantages to the North. Finally, the South rely heavily on slavery, while the North generally opposes the practice. In summary, Calhoun says that to restore balance, the North should ease up on slavery opposition.







Like Calhoun, slavery was a big part of Abraham Lincoln's career. However, Lincoln abolished slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation.

Lad#12 Polk's War Message

In Polk's War Message, he first acknowledges that the tensions between the United States and Mexico needed to be resolved. John Slidell, an American diplomat, was sent to Mexico do discuss the issue of American citizens being killed on American soil by Mexicans near the Texan border. The Mexican government would not listen to Slidell, and the overthrowing government would not listen either. Polk put military forces near the Mexican border to prevent invasion. When they did not retreat under demand of Mexican military, the Mexicans attacked, resulting in several American casualties. At this point, commerce and diplomacy between the two countries had dissolved. Mexico declared war because they wanted Texas, and the United States had to respond to protect their citizens.


This is similar to the XYZ Affair because the foreign power would not negotiate with the United States.

LAD#11 Seneca Falls Convention

The Seneca Falls Convention was a gathering in Seneca Falls NY from June 12-20th in 1848, addressing the issue of women's rights. This event was organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. There, advocates created a list of grievances and demanded equal rights between men and women regarding several issues, such as voting, education, and property, known as the Declaration of Sentiments. This was signed by 68 women and 32 women including Frederick Douglas. The idea of equal rights for women was relatively new and caused an array of different debates to take place in America. However, this was a huge step forward in the path to equal rights for women in the United States.






The National Women's Suffrage Association came about after the Seneca Falls Convention, advocating for women's suffrage. This was founded by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony

LAD #10 Monroe Doctrine

1. What did the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine express from an American perspective post War of 1812?

A. The Monroe Doctrine expressed that Americans wished to be treated as an independent nation, equal to similar European nations. Due to the fact that even after the Revolutionary War, Britain still essentially controlled America's economy and continued to oppress them through the impressment of American ships and sailors, the United States was not recognized as an independent country right away. Additionally, neutrality in European affairs was reemphasized.

2. What was Secretary of State Adams' hope when he wrote the Monroe Doctrine?

A. Adams wished to see the United States be recognized as a world superpower, able to have colonies of its own, as well as become entirely independent from Britain. After the War of 1812, the United States was recognized as its own independent country. Furthermore, Adams wished to see neutrality with European affairs, though this never ended up happening.

3. What is the key phrase in the entire document that you need to remember as the cornerstone of American Foreign Policy?

A. Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries for none.








The Monroe Doctrine relates to Washington's Farewell Address because Washington preaches neutrality, and advises that the United States not become involved in European affairs, which is also said in the Monroe Doctrine.