Derek's APUS Blog

The Emancipation Proclamation ensured that all captive slaves were set free. The Proclamation also ensured that people respect the rights instead of repressing them. It also states that any slaves who are able to escape the confederation were free under the new laws. He then goes on to list the many rebellious states. He then finishes by saying he wants this to end with non-violence. Similarly Brown Vs Board of Education ensured an end to segregation. 

Lincolns 2nd inaugural address stated off by saying he had no new information to give the public. He emphasized the neither the north or the south wanted war. He said that one side wanted unity and the other side wanted secession. He then talks about how slavery played a role in the cause of war. Finally he stresses that the war between them needs to end and that peace should be achieved. Woodrow Wilson's inaugural address was similar in that he also stressed unity.

In the Dred Scott vs. Sanford in 1857, the Supreme court ruled in favor of Sanford. This is still seen as one of the worst ruling in American history. In this case, Taney questions the citizenship's of African Americans. He states that only citizens can sue in court, and since blacks were not citizens, Scott had n right to sue. Taney also ruled that the Missouri compromise was also unconstitutional because it deprived people of their property. As a result of this, Dred Scott wasn't freed and remained a slave. Ableman v. Booth was another similar case where the court decided that the Fugitive Slave Act was constitutional making slaves who made it to a free state were to be returned to their owners.

Sojouner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" Speech was delivered at the women's convention in Ohio. She argues that men claim to be more capable than women, but she has done many things that men couldn't. She also argues that men treat white women with delicately, and they teach white women. however as an African American, she is force to do hard manual labor, quite the opposite of what white women were doing at the time. she also continues saying not only isn't she treated as a women but she doesn't even get basic rights. similarly, Susan B. Anthony was also a major influence on women's rights, each sought to be treated equally and had lasting impact on America. 

Fredrick Douglass 5th of July speech was given the day ofter the Fourth of July. his main message in this speech was to state that on July 4th, he had nothing to celebrate. He believes that America is lacking and failing to deliver on their promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". While many white Americans celebrate their independence, American slaves are still kept. The significance of the date, is that hes stating that only whites can celebrate on the fourth, and that the blacks have the fifth to celebrate independence.  Frederick Douglass speech were similar to Martin Luther King  Jr. speeches because both fought for African American rights through their powerful speeches. 

Lincoln's first inaugural address was intended to unify the country. He promises to keep the Union and told the northerners that "we" wouldn't be the first to attack. This promise came true when Robert Anderson fired the first shot on Fort Sumter, starting the civil war. He also addresses the southern issues like secession and slavery. Lincoln then concludes his speech by saying that the north and south must put aside their differences, and that they are not each others enemies inn order to preserve the union. Jefferson's first inaugural address was similar to Lincolns in that both reminded the country that they are a unified nation. 

Lincoln's Gettysburg address was delivered after the Battle of Gettysburg. This speech was short, however it had a powerful effect on the nation. This speech was founded on the American principles of liberty, equality, and all men being created equal. He says that those who sacrificed their lives did so for the preservation of our democratic ideals. He then continued to encourage the nation by saying that those who have died will not have died in vain. Throughout Lincolns speech, he constantly refers to without actually mentioning the Declaration of Independence  which was founded on liberty and equality. 

In Calhoun's speech, he emphasized that slavery was becoming a major issue, and could compromise the Union. He believed that the issue of slavery could split the nation into north and south. However, Calhoun opposed the Compromise of 1850 and even found evidence in the Constitution that the southerners had the right to own slaves. But, Calhoun wanted to preserve the union and believed that the north should've made a compromise with the south in order to avoid disunity. Like Calhoun, Lincoln wanted to avoid the disunity  of the North and South and under his  presidency, we fought to stay a union,

Polk's War Message talks about negotiating peace between the United Sates and Mexico, but later says how these attempts failed. He says that these attempts were unsuccessful because the Mexicans couldn't hold up their end of the bargain. Many Mexicans still continued to attack Americans after Mexico agreed to peace. Polk then goes on to tell congress that Mexico failed to communicate with them and that because of this American commerce had been hurt. At the end of his message he states that America should go to war with Mexico due to the violence they had shown us. Polk's message is similar to the XYZ affair which  was also an example of America failing  to make peace with foreign powers. 

The democratic principles listed in the beginning of the document, are all men and women are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Women wanted the right to be able to overthrow the government, and that they should have a say in laws being passed. They also complained men took the money they earned and told them to stay at home. Also many colleges denied women their education. Some notable names that signed it were Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Edward F. Underhill, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Cady Stanton. Someone who did not sign it was Susan B. Anthony, which is strange because she was a huge supporter of women's rights. The Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Sentiments are similar, in that each expressed grievances they wanted reformed.