LAD#20: Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation

In Lincoln's Proclamation he starts by stating that all slaves in southern states rebelling against the Union are free, and will be protected. He then declares that former states of the Confederacy have the option to rejoin the Union through sending representatives to Congress, and then slaves in that area would avoid being emancipated. Lincoln encourages slaves to work to earn money, for they are free. He states that their rights will be supported in the North, and that the proclamation is an act of Justice.

LAD#19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural Adress

In his second address, Lincoln opened by touching on the fact that neither the North or South desired to go to war. Diplomatic Compromise between the North and South was meant to happen, but this was unsuccessful, and thus a war emerged. War was inevitable and all the people involved hoped that it would end quickly. Although the war originated from several components of sectionalism, he stated that slavery was the main reason. Lincoln finishes the address by regarding the idea of blessing and how it is in God's will. He also states that America should have a lasting peace.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

In the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case, originally the court ruled against Scott. Chief Justice Taney decided that Scott was not a citizen because he was only the child of people that had migrated to the United States. Scott believed that he should have the same rights as anyone else, but Scott was categorized as property rather than a citizen. The constitution ruled that Taney had the right to keep Scott as property because Taney was a white landholder. Taney stated that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional because Scott was living in Illinois as property of Taney, and Scott didn't have the privilege to sue.

LAD #17: "Aint I a Woman"

Sojourner Truth is an African American woman aggravated by prejudice. She expresses that she never had the privilege of being treated with good manners by a man, because she was black. She feels it is unreasonable that she has worked hard all of her life and only received punishment in return. She states that because she is a woman, that does not mean she is less intelligent, and people should treat others with respect regardless of social backgrounds. She concludes by addressing that Jesus came from a woman and God, not from man.

LAD #16: 5th of July Speech

Frederick Douglass started his "5th of July Speech" by addressing the issue of slavery. While free men of the United States would support and celebrate their independence on the 4th of July, blacks did not have the privilege to celebrate personal liberties because they lacked them. He believed that Independence day highlighted the disunity between slaves and free men. He reflects that African Americans have proven to be just as successful as their white slave holders, and that African Americans should have the right to celebrate this day to the same extent as the whites.

LAD #15: Lincoln's Gettysburg Adress

In his address, Lincoln mentions how proud he is of the soldiers who engaged in the Civil War to preserve the Union. After the battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln describes the purpose of fighting, which was oriented around fairness, justice, and equality. He delivered his thankfulness for the courage of the soldiers in the address, and stated that America must acknowledge their bravery and sacrifice so that we can further improve unity and peace in our nation.

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Adress

Lincoln starts by addressing that he will not interfere with slavery in southern states where it has already existed. He supported the constitution which declared that if a slave was to escape, it must be returned to the owner, because slaves were property. He supported states rights, and it was the right of the state to maintain slavery if it so desired to. He addressed the concept of Unity and preserving the Union. His goal was to prevent states from seceeding from the Union, and to enhance the strength and togetherness of of the United States of America.  

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

In his speech, John Calhoun conveyed the idea that the Union was at threat. First off, he stated that the Northern Government gained too much power which disrupted the balance of unity. Since the north was continuing to add non slave states, and the south was not adding more slave states, the power balance was altered. Calhoun believed that the North was acting hostile towards southern slavery. He stated how Tariffs on imported goods were not as beneficial to the south as they were to the north. The south was export oriented, and if they had to pay more for imported goods that would not be ideal. Calhoun dressed that slavery played a major role in American economy, and this is why the south favorited it. The North believed it was immoral and dehumanizing, and thus it created a further threat to the Union.

 

LAD #12: Polk's War Message

There was increasing tension over harsh treatment of citezens between the United States and Mexico, and Polk wrote a letter to congress dressing the issue. Polk states John Siddle was sent to Mexico for the purpose of obtaining territory in New Mexico and California, but the Mexican government refused to speak with him. Polk also stated that he ordered some troops to occupy the border in case there was another Mexican attack. Mexican soldiers attacked American soldiers between the Nuces and Del Norte area, and 16 troops were killed. Furthermore, Polk concluded by addressing the fact that Mexico has taken hostile measures, and this gives the United States a reason to go to war. 

    

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

The Declaration begins by adressing the unalienable rights of Americans. Women and men were created equal, and the Seneca Falls Declaration reassured some ideals of the Declaration of Independence. It listed grievances involving American women such as having limited say in government, denied right to vote, denied right to own property, and the denied right to receive a higher education. Following the grievances, the Declaration holds a list of ideals to further enforce the equality among men and women.