LAD #20: Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free all the slaves in the United States, including the Confederacy. The armed forces and federal government were required to recognize and maintain the freedom of the slaves, and could not repress them. Lincoln did not actually outlaw slavery, nor make the freedmen citizens. He also declared that he would suppress the rebellion in the South as Commander in Chief. He wanted the freedmen to not engage in any violence, except self-defense.

LAD #19: Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln states his address should be short because most information regarding the situation of the Union is already known, unlike in his first address. While Lincoln was delivering his first address, southerners were seeking to dissolve and divide the Union. He believed that both parties did not want war, but the South would have rather fought than let the nation survive, and the North would rather have accepted war rather than let it fall apart. He addresses slavery as one of the causes of war, as it has sparked many debates on it's spread. Lincoln takes a religious tone regarding the different interests of the North and South- that "the prayers of both could not be answered". He also believes that God's will will be carried out in this war, and the side that is more favorable to Him will win. Lincoln ends with his wish for the nation to fix it's wounds and achieve a lasting peace.

LAD #18: Dred Scott Decision

Originally, the Court favored a moderate decision that ruled in favor of Sanford, but did not address the larger issues of black citizenship and the Missouri Compromise. Justice Nelson was chosen to write the decision, however no one agreed with his views. Therefore, Chief Justice Roger Taney was chosen to write the majority opinion of the court that included black citizenship and the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise. President James Buchanan contacted several Supreme Court members for the decision reached by the Court to include in his inaugural address. In his speech he supported the decision of the Court. Taney presented the opinion on March 6, 1857 in the basement of the U.S. Capitol. He started with the question of black citizenship of both slaves and freemen. Taney believed that even free blacks were not citizens of the United States, and do not have the power to sue. He also believed that citizens are allowed to bring their property into a territory in the United States. He proclaimed the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional because it prevented citizens of holding property. Finally, Taney that the status of slaves who escaped to free states returned to the place in which they resided, and therefore Scott was still a slave as he had resided in Missouri.

LAD #17: Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech

In 1851, Sojourner Truth spoke at the Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio concerning the status of women and blacks in society. Truth speaks about how there are men who seek to aid woman out of carriages and over ditches, but no one has ever helped her, revealing the discrimination she faces due to her skin color. She asks repeatedly throughout her speech, "Ain't I a woman?", addressing the attack of minorities. She is not seen as a woman, but rather a subordinate race. She goes on to say how she can plough, plant, and gather as much as a man, and work and eat as much as a man. She even claims she can be whipped as much as a man, all demonstrating her clear belief that she should be seen as an equal to man, if not higher because of her child-bearing and suffering. She concludes with the statement that Christ came from God and a woman, not a man. She believes that women are extremely powerful and influential and that is about time they earn some rights.

LAD #16: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech

Douglass' "5th of July" speech is regarding the injustice of slavery in America, "The Home of the Free" ,especially on the 4th of July. He expresses his disbelief that a civilized nation such as the United States has committed so many crimes on such an unfair basis.

He begins with his belief that the Fourth of July is for white man, and that the holiday celebrating independence is mocking him. He addresses the issue of American slavery, and how he, "hear(s) the mournful wail of millions!" on this day. He then denounces slavery as hideous and revolting, and strongly speaks out against it.

Next, he proclaims that African Americans are equal, and that there are lawyers, doctors, ministers, etc. among them. He believes it is utterly wrong to rob men of their liberty, work them without wages, beat them with sticks, and many other things. He does not think that he should even have to prove that the institution of slavery is wrong.

To the American slave, the Fourth of July is a reminder of the injustice he faces every day. He does not partake in the celebrations because it seems to him as a cover up for the crime of slavery by the nation. Douglass remarks that there is not another nation on earth that is committing more shocking and bloody than the people of the United States are every day.

LAD #15: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, was several months after the Union armies defeated the Confederacy's at the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln emphasizes the principles in the Declaration of Independence, such as, "all men are created equal". He also deems the Civil War the struggle for the preservation of the Union, which would emerge to bring equality to all citizens, ensure democracy, and where states' rights were not dominant. He mentions the men that gave their lives at Gettysburg and emphasizes that their purpose will never be forgotten. He ends with his hope for America, that the "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

LAD #14: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In his inaugural address in 1861, Lincoln cuts right to the chase and proclaims he does not wanted to interfere with slavery in America. He then states that he has taken an oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the United States Constitution", and implies that this regards the South as well. He goes on to say that he will not use force against the South unless it is necessary for him to. However, he states that if the South took up arms against the government, they would be met with force. Furthermore, Lincoln states that the South is under the Constitution because they approved it. Lincoln states that he supports protecting slavery in the states in which it already existed, and he also will enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. Lincoln concludes with his hope for the North and South to work together for peace.

LAD #13: John Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun addressed the Senate in 1850, regarding slavery as the issue disrupting the nation from being united. He believes that sectionalism is increasing, and that the issue of slavery will disrupt the union and create a disunion. He wanted to unite the North and the South, as well as political parties, and to strengthen the union and prevent it's collapse. There was an imbalance of power; the North seemed to be more powerful than the South. The North had a larger population and a greater number of states, and therefore had a greater number of representatives and power in the federal government. On the contrary, the South had a smaller population and less states, and had less influence in the federal government. Disputes arose when the North showed it's disapproval of slavery to the South because it had a greater voice in the government. Calhoun believed that the only way to preserve the union was to for the North to give the South their rights in the new territory, return all runaway slaves to the South, and to stop their disapproval of slavery. This would create an equal North and South, and although the North wouldn't agree, the threat of succession would decrease.

LAD #12: President Polk's War

On May 11, 1846, President Polk addressed congress regarding America's relations with Mexico. He pursued peace with Mexico to adjust the boundary to reopen diplomatic relations between the two. However, the attempt has been unavailing; the Mexican government has refused to receive the envoy, and have invaded the United States and have killed Americans on our soil.

The envoy sent was Mr. John Slidell, who was received in the city, however the government of General Herrera was overrun by those who opposed the friendly relations with the United States. The government was placed in the hands of a military leader, General Paredes. Mr. Slidell was again rejected from meeting with the government, and left Mexico. Therefore, the government of Mexico broke its pledge to receive an American envoy and the offer of peace.

Polk had ordered the military to take position "between the Nueces and the Del Norte" to counter a Mexican attack on Texas. Meanwhile, Texas having been received into the union, had declared the Rio del Norte to be the boundary of the Republic. The troops were under the instructions to abstain from aggression to Mexico and assume that relations were peaceful unless war was declared. On April 24th General Arista dispatched 63 men to the Rio del Norte, where 16 were killed and wounded and the rest were forced to surrender.

In conclusion, America tried their best to reconcile with Mexico, but after repeated offenses of invasion war has been declared.

LAD #11: Seneca Falls Declaration

The Declaration of Sentiments edits the Declaration of Independence and adds "that all men and women are created equal". It also goes on to state the grievances women have against the society in which they have been subordinate to men. It states that women have not been able to vote, have been forced to follow laws in which they have had no say in the formation of, have been withheld from rights given to degraded men such as natives and foreigners, and many more. Essentially it is the Declaration of Independence, except instead of the colonies against England, it is women against men. It also provides resolutions for these issues such as women should be educated in the laws of the country, that laws that make women inferior to men are contrary to nature and have no authority, and many more. In conclusion, women were created equal to men, and should be treated as such.