Alex's APUSH Blog

      On September 22, 1862 President Lincoln delivered his Emancipation Proclamation. This stated that by January 1, 1863 slaves in certain states would be free and protected by the federal government. They shall no longer be repressed and refusing to follow this movement is an act of rebellion. He then lists the territories that are rebelling and ignore the treaty, therefore they will remain unaffected. He then lists the states that slaves would be proclaimed free. All freed will be accepted into the army and receive equal pay. This was a movement of justice. The  Emancipation Proclamation is similar to the incident in Little Rock. The local government didn't approve of the integration of blacks in the school system. The federal government came in and forced it upon the school. The southern states didn't approve of the freeing of slaves but after much military action, the Civil War, it passed.

He begins his address stating there is less of a need for a long speech. New information was sparse as the Civil War was still in progress. The progress of the war was already known by the public. At the beginning of Lincoln's presidency they were opposed to this war, hoping to avoid it. His first address was an attempt to save the Union. The South would rather have war than let the nation live while the North would rather have the war than let the nation die. He also states that 1/8 of the South's population is black. The gruesomeness and duration of the war was unexpected. There were prayers to God on both sides, a conflicting idea. He says the war may be a reflection of god will to end slavery. He wishes the war to end quickly but would endure 50 years of it if necessary. He ends the speech saying lets finish what we started to create a unified nation with lasting peace. This is similar to Donald Trumps campaign, with the slogan "Make America Great Again". ...

The Dred Scott V Sanford took place in 1857 in St. Louis' Old Courthouse. He spent many years with his master, John Emerson, moving around the country, even free states set by the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Once John Emerson died, Scott and his family were hired out to other families by Emerson' wife. Scott then pursued a suit against Mrs. Emerson demanding their freedom. Since they had been in free states and the Missouri Doctrine states "once free, always free" Scott felt that they should be free. The bigger issue of the topic was the consideration of property rights. Chief Justice Rodger Brooke Taney resided over the case and came to possibly the worst Supreme Court decision. He admitted that African Americans could be citizens of the state but not national citizens and for that reason could not sue. He then declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional and thus it collapsed. The decision rescinded Scott's ability and caused the collapse of the Misso...

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in New York State. She became an anti-slavery and suffragist once gaining her independence in 1827. She delivered this famous speech, centered around the inequality of women and blacks, at the Women's Convention in Ohio. It was titled "Ain't I a Women?" due to the repetition of the question. She believed that men should treat all women equally because  “That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud puddles, or gives me any best place, and ain't I a woman?” She presented a new idea of being a women and that the term should be extended to black women. Every women should be treated with equal respect no matter the color of their skin. Susan B. Anthony was also an activist. She was played a key role in the extension of women's rights, delivered speeches and took part in strikes. 

On July 5th, 1953,  Frederick Douglass delivered one of his most moving speech that would come to be known as Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech. The central idea of the speech is the injustices of slavery. He is flabbergasted how a country civilized could commit such atrocities. He starts by addressing the holiday Independence Day or the 4th of July. He believes it is a white mans holiday and is mocking, as all were supposed to be created equal yet that is not the case. He saw slavery as revolting and hated it. He then proclaims that black men are equal and should have the same opportunities as the white men. Among blacks there were doctors, lawyers and ministers and that they shouldn't have their wages taken from them or discriminated against. It is obvious that slavery is horrible system. The 4th of July is a constant reminder of the injustice and inequality a slave faces everyday. He does not partake in the celebration, as he considers it a mask for the ...

Gettysburg was the site of a bloody three day battle during the Civil War. The battle took place in July of 1863. This was considered a turning point in the war because General Robert E Lee's advancement into the North was stopped. Over 7,500 Americans lost their lives during the battle. Lincoln's speech was a short one, but not any less meaningful. He opened his address the with the famous line "four score and seven years ago..." referring to the birth of the country. He saw the Civil War as a test for the foundation of liberty and equality for the United States. In his address he mentions the cemetery dedicated to the soldiers who gave their lives for the cause of equality and liberty. He makes a call to action and justification to continue the war in the name of the fallen soldiers and their noble cause. Similar to Gettysburg Address was the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine set a standard and presented the future of the country as did the Gettysburg Addr...

 Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address on March 4th, 1861. The premise of the address was slavery because it was factor that was creating a divide between the North and the South. He took no side on the issue, even though he would later abolish slavery. His goal was to preserve the union and keep the United States together. He assures the South that they have nothing to fear, and that he will not remove any of their rights. He states that the ideals of the Constitution will be used when addressing the issue. He also assures that no violence will be used, but at the same time threatens that any use of force by any state will be seen as revolutionary. He continues to stress the importance of unity. He ends the speech with the famous quote "We are not enemies, but friends, we must not be enemies".  Abraham Lincoln can be compared to Thomas Jefferson for their political beliefs and views. While Lincoln was a Republican he was focused on individual rights ...

Polk's war message was delivered in 1846. In the message Polk proposes to Congress the idea of declaring war on Mexico. This is based off the wrongs of Mexico against American citizens. Within the message he lists off grievances that trade with Mexico is no longer helping the U.S., and that the U.S have attempted peaceful negotiations yet could not come to a resolution. Polk wishes to create a peaceful and stable relationship with Mexico, by sending John Slidell, a diplomat. John Slidell discusses issues of Mexican crimes against American citizens on U.S soil. The Mexican government ignored and didn't accept Slidell's terms. They continued to meddle in American affairs. Mexico declared war on America, killing American citizens and invaded U.S territory. Polk states that the conflict would be a vindication of American honor, rights and interests. The Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation also know as Jay's Treaty is similar to Polk's war message. Both wer...

  Summary: The Declaration of Sentiments states all men and women are created equal and have inalienable rights. If the government is in the wrong, it's the job of the people to rise up and make a change. The Declaration also states that women deserve the equality that is being withheld. The lack of proper education for women puts them underneath men, who regulate them. The hopes of the Declaration of Sentiments was to gain equality for women. Principals: The democratic principals are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness Grievances: - They are forced to submit to laws in which they have no say. -They are unable to vote. -They don't have the right to own anything. -They have been denied proper education. -They have no say in divorce and get little from it. People: Frederick Douglas, Elizabeth Cody Stanton, Mary Ann M'Clinton, Lucretia Mott and Jacob Chamberlain all signed the document. Amelia Bloomer did not sign the document.

John Calhoun's speech was delivered on March 4, 1850 by another person due to sickness. The speech focused around the idea of slavery and the dissolve of the union. Calhoun had taken notice that the union was breaking down and addressed these issues in his speech. The states were already agitated over the question of slavery. The continuous growth of the north and their power in government did not help the matter. He also addressed the issue of taxation. The benefits of the taxes were going mostly to the North, while the South received little from the tax. Also the fact that the South were hit hardest from the tariffs yet gained little from it was also an issue. Calhoun also believed that it was possible to maintain the unity. However it was the job of the North to amend the Constitution to reestablish equilibrium between the North and South. He then challenges the senators to make their choice, saying California will be a test. If it follows northern ideals it will be seen a...