LAD#4: Federalist

1) Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Factions are so difficult to eliminate because they involve getting rid of people's right and liberties. According to the document, factions can only be eliminated by removing its causes, or controlling its affects. In order to remove a faction, you would have to get rid of the liberties which are "essential to existence," or by forcing every citizen to have the same values, opinion and interests. Obviously these are not easily removed due to their important nature in a democracy. The document also stresses the point that factions are built into human nature, and that it is extremely difficult to change or alter the human nature of a person.
2) If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
The document discusses the controlling of factions in two different scenarios. The first scenario is if the faction lies in the minority group. This can then be controlled by simply having the majority of people in a democracy, vote down the minority faction. On the other hand, if the faction lies in the majority group, then they should be prompted and hopefully convince their faction is wrong by the minority group, and will hopefully relinquish the faction. According to the document, if there is a pure democracy, factions can rarely be controlled or removed, due to the smalled amount of people and the idea that many values will ultimately travel to the majority party, thus making it harder to remove or control faction.

Revolution Article

1: I did not know that there were as many as 620,000 soldiers that died in the Civil War. I figure there were thousands who died in the Civil War, but I did not think it was that astonishing of a number. I started reading this article and this number popped out immediately to me as something new and surprising. This gives a whole new perspective about the Civil War to me. I thought it was a costly war but not as costly as 620,000.
2: I did not know that the Civil War started off as a war to save the Union and ended up as a revolution to end slavery. I knew that they were trying to save the Union prior to the war and during, however, I did not know that they started the war to save the Union. I was under the impression that the war itself started over the fight to abolish slavery.
3: I did not know that most of the participants, civilians, politicians, and other people living during the revolutionary era had died within a decade of the jubilee in 1826 leaving it virtually impossible for the stories of the revolution to be told and for the history recorded to be accurate. That is why most historians according the article mostly talk about the political aspects about the war, such as the signing of the declaration, and the constitutional convention, rather than the hard fought battles of the war itself.
4: I had no idea that during the Revolutionary War, our country lead an invasion against Canada. I also did not know that during this invasion they fought through harsh winter conditions causing a shortage of food. This lead them to have to eat pet dogs, and cook other things like boiling shoes, according to the article.
5: I did not know that a Continental soldier had the odds of dying in battle of 1 in 10 but if captured had a 50-50 chance that he would not survive being captured. This surprised me because I thought that being lined up and shot at in a battle would bring a greater likelihood of death than captured. I figured you would have a better shot of being rescued or surviving in captivity long enough.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

Summarize the Declaration of Independence in 3 parts (1. democratic principles, 2.list a handful of grievances, and 3. the conclusion.)

The Declaration of Independence begins with saying that if one people are dissolving the political bonds between them and another people, they should state the reasons why. Preceding this statement the document continues to say that every person should have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which is one reason why the English colonies are breaking away from England. They also say how people have the right to abolish their existing government if it is not being run by the people or not providing basic rights. This right however, cannot be for some small act, and cannot be justified. The writers of this document proceed to say how the King of England has had a poor history of injuries, which is why they wish to be free. They then continue to state their grievances towards the King and the British government. Their problems began with the standing military in the colonies during peace times, refusal to pass laws to benefit the colonies, passing laws that do not benefit the colonies, corruption of the judicial system, imposing taxes, fundamentally destroying their governments and many others. The conclusion contains the signatures of the writers and their pledge towards their support for the declaration. This is evident in the statement in the conclusion, "We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies solemnly publish and declare, that they United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." This concluding statement illustrates the importance of the writers statements, their determination, and their commitment to the declaration and their freedom.

LAD#2: Zenger Trials

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
Zenger was a German who was in New York in the early 18^th century. He was a printer and editor of the NY Weekly Journal.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
After opposing Governor Cosby in his paper Zenger was charged with sedition libel. The stories written by Zenger about Cosby were very critical and made him so livid that he threw Zenger in Jail. His trail was a quick decision by the jury because of his stories. The trial caused problems and brought up an issue of freedom of press because they were convicting him of voicing his own opinion in the newspaper.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
This case did have a big impact on American governmental tradition because Zenger was found innocent because the stories he posted were found to be true. This started a controversial debate against judicial dominance in libel cases. It allowed people to speak freely.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The trials impact lingered for years because it was a point in history where the freedom of press was innovated. Publishers and editors were finally allowed to speak their mind without being punished.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of CT

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Compact established the start of a democracy in the colonies. The people were the source of power in the colonies. The contract was signed by people who all agreed on obeying the laws set by the government to allow them to survive and to collaborate and work as one community in order to be successful in America. The Contract also mentioned several times the idea of keeping loyalty to King James. The Mayflower Compact basically was a contract made to establish a democracy in the colonies as well as to keep a sense of loyalty towards England and the king.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

When the Compact said that they were loyal subjects to their Sovereign King it illustrates that connection to the “Old World,” or England. The people who signed the Compact wanted to keep a loyalty and connection to the “Old Word;” England. They wanted to stay honorable towards England with a great deal of respect and to establish a government system that was fair and similar. The signers all meet and agreed to abide by the new government so that the country would run smoothly. It shows the colonists desire to establish a new society but still stay true to their English routs.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Orders were basically a document establishing the structure of the new government in the colonies. It was different from the compact because it was an actual constitutional document as suppose to the compact which was a statement or agreement of their plan for the colony. The compact was not very specific in its wishes but the basic ideas of the two documents were very similar. The FOC was the official structure and establishment of the ideas expressed in the Mayflower Compact. The FOC was very important because it did not mention England, and it just described a government run by the colonies on their own without England’s help.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The colonists decided to make this constitution because before the FOC, Connecticut had already created a government, however Thomas Hooker in 1638 forced the Courts to lay down some rules that they had written down on a document. After this they were prompted to establish a written Constitution like the FOC because they wanted order and a democracy under the rule of the people.

5) In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?

The FOC protect against a single person coming into powers because there was an annual voting system for Governor in Connecticut. There were also limitations on how long an official could stay in power. All men who were free in Connecticut were given the ability to vote under a democracy. Also every town was allowed to sent deputies to General Court. This was established in case a Governor or other official was becoming too powerful then people could meet in General court and petition.

LAD #2

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
Zenger was a German who was in New York in the early 18^th century. He was a printer and editor of the NY Weekly Journal.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
After opposing Governor Cosby in his paper Zenger was charged with sedition libel. The stories written by Zenger about Cosby were very critical and made him so livid that he threw Zenger in Jail. His trail was a quick decision by the jury because of his stories. The trial caused problems and brought up an issue of freedom of press because they were convicting him of voicing his own opinion in the newspaper.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
This case did have a big impact on American governmental tradition because Zenger was found innocent because the stories he posted were found to be true. This started a controversial debate against judicial dominance in libel cases. It allowed people to speak freely.

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The trials impact lingered for years because it was a point in history where the freedom of press was innovated. Publishers and editors were finally allowed to speak their mind without being punished.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact and Fundamental Orders of CT

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Compact established the start of a democracy in the colonies. The people were the source of power in the colonies. The contract was signed by people who all agreed on obeying the laws set by the government to allow them to survive and to collaborate and work as one community in order to be successful in America. The Contract also mentioned several times the idea of keeping loyalty to King James. The Mayflower Compact basically was a contract made to establish a democracy in the colonies as well as to keep a sense of loyalty towards England and the king.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

When the Compact said that they were loyal subjects to their Sovereign King it illustrates that connection to the “Old World,” or England. The people who signed the Compact wanted to keep a loyalty and connection to the “Old Word;” England. They wanted to stay honorable towards England with a great deal of respect and to establish a government system that was fair and similar. The signers all meet and agreed to abide by the new government so that the country would run smoothly. It shows the colonists desire to establish a new society but still stay true to their English routs.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The Orders were basically a document establishing the structure of the new government in the colonies. It was different from the compact because it was an actual constitutional document as suppose to the compact which was a statement or agreement of their plan for the colony. The compact was not very specific in its wishes but the basic ideas of the two documents were very similar. The FOC was the official structure and establishment of the ideas expressed in the Mayflower Compact. The FOC was very important because it did not mention England, and it just described a government run by the colonies on their own without England’s help.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The colonists decided to make this constitution because before the FOC, Connecticut had already created a government, however Thomas Hooker in 1638 forced the Courts to lay down some rules that they had written down on a document. After this they were prompted to establish a written Constitution like the FOC because they wanted order and a democracy under the rule of the people.

5) In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?

The FOC protect against a single person coming into powers because there was an annual voting system for Governor in Connecticut. There were also limitations on how long an official could stay in power. All men who were free in Connecticut were given the ability to vote under a democracy. Also every town was allowed to sent deputies to General Court. This was established in case a Governor or other official was becoming too powerful then people could meet in General court and petition.