LAD #16: 1st Innaugural Address

Woops..mixed them up..

Right before his first term, Lincoln made this speech. He starts with the statement saying that he knows the south is upset with his election, as a Republican. He the comforts them by saying that he has no intention to interfere with slavery. As a result of the long history of slavery, Lincoln believes that slaves would not do well on their own. When the majority of the population elected him, they knew how he would be as a president. He talks about states' rights by making a reference to the Constitution and the laws that favor them. He warrants safety and security to the Union and says that those who choose to speak out against the union will be considered a threat to the nation's well being. He says that people have to interpret the Constitution in certain ways and the majority of the people will decide in these issues over the Constitution. Without this ruling there would not be a democracy.

LAD #15: Emancipation Proclimation

This document was issued on January 1, 1863, and was a very important event. Lincoln, in this document, granted freedom to all salves in the rebellious states, stating that the executive branch and army would protect any free slaves and not harm any. It was issued for the Confederates and didn't grant freedom for salves in the borders states to keep their support. Slaves could also work and receive wages. Lincoln also declared the proclamation to be an act of justice and warranted by the Constitution.

LAD #14: Dred Scott Decision

Taney decided several things in the Dred Scott Decision that truly acted as a setback for the anti-slavery cause. Primarily, he decided that Blacks, who are not citizens, could not sue in a federal court. He then stated that based on the Constitution, and the fact that it says the government could not deny their citizens their right to their "property", or slaves, that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. He finally added that Scott was a slave because he brought suit in a slave state

LAD # 13: Lincoln's Secon Inaugural Address

Lincoln begins by stating how this inaugural address given four years ago was completely different from that which is occurring right now. He stated that the nation was on the brink of civil war, and now that war has finally come. He says that both sides were against war, but on side would resort to war if it mean the survival of the nation, while the other would let it come if it meant it would not perish. This shows how Lincoln is not blaming the war on any specific section of the country by is saying that the war was bound to happen. He discusses how the blacks made up 1/8 of the population, but was highly concentrated in the south, which was in his opinion the cause of the war. He says it is the nation's duty to repair the nation and make amends, so liberty and union can be preserved.

LAD#12: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

In Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, he emphasizes greatly the importance of the union, and how it must be preserved. He begins by discussing how our forefather built the nation on liberty with the idea that all men are created equal. He later states how the field will be dedicated to the men who lost their lives and were fighting to preserve the union that our forefathers created. He says though, that the ground can not be truly dedicated unless the living, make an effort to end the war, and preserve the unity of which the nation was founded. He says it is necessary that the nation, which is governed for the people, and by the people, not be wiped off the earth.

LAD #11: Polk's War Message

President Polk's War Message justifies the US entering war with Mexico. He describes the methods that the Mexican military used in invading Texas territory, because Texas had previously applied for statehood and therefore the invasion is considered an attack on U.S. soil. He also describes what he went through in order to preserve American sovereignty by bringing together defensive forces from the area. Finally, Polk pleads with Congress to recognize the presence of a war and gives them his word that it would be short.

LAD#10: Calhouns Speech

In his speech, Calhoun focused around one central idea, which was the issue of slavery and that in order to preserve the union which was high priority for him, they would follow what ever the south demanded. He supported his argument by declaring the fact that the south was taxed more because of its "nature of its residents," which the taxes were then sent to the north. Following this statement he argued that no one agreed with anything the south had to say. He states that in order to preserve unity and happiness, the north and west should follow what the south wants. He also feels that while these situations can be dealt with, if they were to get out of hand, then they should secede. This statement probably had a great deal of influence over American society at this time. Throughout his speech Calhoun asks several questions then answers them which leads to another questions. This strange format was effective in getting his point across regarding preserving the Union by satisfying the south in many ways which are all listed at the end of his speech.

LAD #9: Seneca Falls

The Seneca Falls Convention, where a group of women got together and wrote the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, was originally fueled by the anti-slavery crusade, in which women were not a lot to take part of. The Declaration is split into two parts, one being the Declaration of Sentiments, where the women state all the unjust laws and social regulations that are demanded of women, and the other part are the Resolutions, which provide substantial ideas and answers to the many social problems concerning women. In the beginning of the Declaration, the women begin with an extremely similar opening to the Declaration of Independence, with the statement of, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal..." They continue to list problems with men towards women such as the men not allowing women to exercise her inalienable rights, forcing her to obey laws she does not have any say in, destroying her confidence in her own powers. They end the Declaration stating their desire for continual similar conventions. The second part of the Declaration, called Resolutions, the women provide answers to the several social problems previously stated, primarily viewing women as man's equal, allowance of the same amount of virtue, delicacy, and refinement of behavior that is required of women in the social state to man, and that women should have the ability to carry out their own inalienable rights. It is finally concluded with the statement saying that women was created in the same way by the Creator as man was, and she should have equal rights to those of man.