LAD #20 Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation identifies two new things. First it states that any black people that were held as slaves in the Southern states in rebellion to the Union would now be declared free. This made sure they would be respected and treated better than they had been. It also declares a list of states where this will apply. Lastly, Lincoln declared the slaves in those states will be regarded as free with full rights. This proclamation would help change the way blacks were treated and would help lead to the abolition of slavery and new rights and freedoms guaranteed to them.

Pictures: I chose a picture of the Emancipation Proclamation and a picture of women protesting them being denied the right to vote. This lead to the 19th amendment that stated no one can be denied the right to vote based on their sex. Both of these documents, or changes gave blacks and women more rights and the basic freedoms of humans. They both lead to change and would greatly impact many people.

LAD #19 Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln starts off by saying his address doesn’t need to be as long as his first because no new information needs to be presented, as most of it is well known. He talks about how he does not know how the war will end and when it will be over. He also talks about how in his first Inaugural Address he stated that he wanted to avoid war to preserve the Union and how the South wanted to destroy it, while the North wanted to preserve it. He continues to talk about how he will try to fix the segregated Union and repair it from the secession and division among the people that has created conflict and disunity.

Pictures: I chose a picture of Abraham Lincoln and a picture of George Washington because he was the first President and the first to run two terms. Many other Presidents ran for a second term, as well and gave a second Inaugural Address like both of these Presidents did. They would address similar topics on how they would continue to better the Union and the changes they would make and the things they would keep the same.

LAD #18 Dred Scott Decision 

In the case of Dred Scott vs. Sanford in 1857, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Sanford. The issue brought up in the case was about slavery arriving in free states. The decision that was made was since Scott was black and not a U.S. citizen, Scott didn’t even have the right to bring his case to court in the first place. The Supreme Court also ruled that slaves were considered property, but he argued that he was a free slave because he was above the Compromise Line and was forced back to the state he came from and to his old master master. The Court declared that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional and therefore, Scott would remain a slave.

Pictures: I chose a picture of Dred Scott and a picture of the Marbury v. Madison case because the case established judicial review that would be evident in Dred Scott's case. This allowed the court to declare the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional and it was also another court case that was very important in history and had to do with the appointment of people to the Supreme Court.

LAD #17 Ain’t I a Woman Speech

Sojourner Truth delivered her speech in 1851 at a women’s convention in Akron, Ohio where she addressed the difference in treatment between black and white women. She begins by talking about all the movements regarding women and abolition and how she wants change. She then goes on to say that she saw a woman being helped into a carriage and she doesn’t and won’t get that same treatment because she is black. She realizes that women aren’t treated as equals and asks the question “Ain’t I a Woman?” which shows her frustration because of the way she is treated because she is a black woman. Lastly, she says that Jesus came from a woman, not a man which shows that they are important and the world has been turned upside down and change needs to occur.

Pictures: I chose a picture of Sojourner Truth and a picture of Harriet Tubman because they were both black women who wanted to advocate for black right's and tried to create change through their lifetimes. They both played important roles in fighting for equality and would be remembered as very inspirational women that changed America for the better.

LAD #16 5th of July Speech

In the 5th of July Speech, given by Frederick Douglas he expresses his resentment towards slavery and says that even though the white Americans are celebrating because they have their independence, the blacks are still denied that privilege. Blacks are still not being treated equally even though they are a big part of the nation and work just as hard as everyone else. He also talks about the morality of the country and goes on to address the unfair wages and liberties that dehumanize the blacks. Lastly, he explains that even though Independence day is important and a special day for the white Americans, it is a reminder for the blacks and injustice they faced and he does not want to take part in the celebrations.

Pictures: I chose a picture of Frederick Douglas and a picture of Rosa Parks because they are both very strong advocators for black rights. They both worked to create awareness for blacks and promote equality. They also dealt with hardships throughout their lives and were very important in history and helped to create change that would greatly affect many people.

LAD #15 Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was given after the Battle of Gettysburg and he talked about the ideas of equality and freedom. He admires the courage of the people who died and fought in the battle and believed their ideas and morals that they fought for were their greatest accomplishments. Lincoln also says that he doesn’t believe a united country should be fighting in a civil war and instead the nation should be working together. Lastly, he says that the U.S. will move on and become bigger and stronger and he hopes the nation can provide equality and freedom to all, once again.

Pictures: I chose a picture of Lincoln giving his address to the people and I also chose a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. because his "I have a dream speech" is similar to Lincoln's. In King's speech he talks about how he wants equality and freedoms for all people and they both talk about how they want America to move on from their hardships and progress into something bigger and better. They both address similar points and talk about how they want change and that they admire the courage of those who stand up and fight for what they believe in and want to make a difference in history.

LAD #14 Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

In Lincoln’s inaugural address given in 1861, he mostly talks about slavery and how he does not want to interfere with it. He goes on to say that he has taken an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the United States Constitution” and says that he will not use force against the south unless it is necessary. Lincoln also states that he supports protecting slavery in the states and will enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. His primary goal is to keep the Union together and believes this can be achieved through diplomacy.

Pictures: I chose a picture of Abe Lincoln and a picture of George Washington because he referenced similar points in his inaugural address. For example, he talked about how he would be following the Constitution and that it outlined all the rules and laws he would be following and that the people need to abide by. He also wanted unity in America, like Lincoln and believed that it could and would be achieved. Both are very important presidents that impacted history and wanted the best for America.

LAD #13 John Calhoun’s Speech

In 1850, John Calhoun addressed the Senate about slavery and the issue it created. He believed slavery was causing the nation to not be united and he wanted that to change. He wanted the North and the South to unite, as well as political parties, to bring people together and create the desired unity. At the time, the North had a larger population and seemed to have more power than the South. The North also had a greater number of representatives and more power in the federal government, while the South had a smaller population, resulting in less influence in the government. The North did not promote slavery and wanted to abolish it, which caused problems because the South still had slaves. Calhoun’s solution was to reestablish equal justice in both the North and South by persuading the North to give up some of its power. Calhoun believed that this needed to happen to create unity and would therefore preserve the nation.

Pictures: I chose a picture of John Calhoun and a picture of Abraham Lincoln because he was against slavery too. Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation which freed many slaves. He issued this because it was not fair to treat a group of people worse than others and he wanted to try to create more unity among the nation, as well.

LAD #12 Polk’s War Message

James Polk’s speech was given in 1846 about the relationship between Mexico and The United States. He told the people that he had sent an envoy to Mexico, but they refused to listen to his proposals. John Slidell was sent to discuss the problems, most of them stemming from the Texas border issue. After this, a military revolution was enacted in Mexico and the President gave his power to a military dictator. He also talked about how America should and wanted to protect their territorial rights and not engage in war with Mexico to support a peaceful relationship. He then goes on to say that Mexico has begun to invade and informs the people that Mexico has broken their agreement to receive an envoy and an offer of peace. As a result, the tensions began to grow, creating a war because they had entered U.S. territory and posed as a threat to the nation and its people.

Pictures: I chose a picture of James Polk and a picture of the XYZ Affair because this affair was where American diplomats were sent to France to try to create peace. Both of these events are very similar in that envoys were both sent to foreign countries as an attempt to create peace and solve problems, but were both turned away, both resulting in growing tensions and war.

LAD #11 Seneca Falls Declaration

The meeting held in Seneca Falls was where women and men met to discuss issues regarding women’s rights and freedoms. The Declaration of Sentiments lists 11 resolutions on women’s rights, including the right to vote. The Declaration outlines all of the things women have been denied of and then go on to giving resolutions for each of the problems. It also references that all men are created to be equal, but they argue that women should too. These people who met in Seneca Falls were advocating for change and wanted to make a difference.

Pictures: I chose a picture of the list of names of people who attended the convention for women's rights and I chose a picture of Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. They are two very important and big supporters for women's rights that are very evident in today's society and have constantly fought for changes and greater equality for women.