LAD #16 Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation begin's with a statement from Lincoln that says that on the first day of 1863 all the slaves in American territories that are still in rebellion will be recognized officially by the executive branch as free. Furthermore, the Federal Army and Navy will do tolerate slave uprisings against their masters, in other words they will not suppress any slave rebellions. Lincoln ends the proclamation by encouraging slaves to behave peacefully unless they need to use force to gain their freedom. Furthermore he advises them to find a decent paying job and encourages them to join the American armed forces.

LAD #14 Lincoln's Second Inaugural

In the beginning of Lincoln's second inaugural address, he states that the state of the union is not as complicated as four years before since the south left and as a result his address will be shorter in length. Next, Lincoln states that the civil war is a result of the south fighting to destroy the union while the north is going through great troubles to preserve it. Lincoln next addresses the issue of slavery which he feels is the center of the conflict between north and south. Furthermore, Lincoln defends his and his parties actions of not allowing slavery in new areas but not creating any laws which would conflict slavery in already slave states. Lincoln goes on to state that he doesn't understand southern soldiers praying for God to help them when they're fighting to profit from slavery. Lincoln closes his address by thanking the Northern people for all they've done in the civil war and to keep on fighting and finish up the civil war. Furthermore he states to help care for families who have lost members in the war.

LAD #14 Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott had runaway from his master to a Northern State and when forced to go back he sued his owner based on slavery rights of the Missouri Comprimise. In the Dred Scott Decision, Cheif Justice Taney ruled that since the land under the Missouri Comprimise was federal land and so under the restrictions of the bill of rights, Dred Scott was property and so must be returned to his master. This juristicion was influenced directly from the right that guarantees a citizens property cannot be taken away without first going through process of law. Furthermore, Dred Scott shouldn't have even been able to sue his master because he was property and not a United States citizen. The juristicion also made the Missouri Comprimise uncostitutional because it interfered with the Bill of Rights. Ultimately, the case was dismissed and Sanford (Dred Scotts' master) got back his property.

LAD #13 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

After the difficult and bloody battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln, in an effort to lift the North's spirit and devotion to the war, created the Gettysburg Address. In the address, Lincoln stated that America had been founded as a land of freedom and the civil war was an event testing the success of the free and united nation. Lincoln states that to honor the soldiers that have already fought and died for the country, the North must continue to devote itself to the war and protect America's freedom and unity.

LAD #12 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In the first part of Lincoln's inaugural address, Lincoln acknoldedges the current southern fears of a republican president because many slave owners in the South felt that threatened by Lincoln's party. Furthermore, Lincoln assures the southern people that as president, he has no intention of altering the South's current state of slavery. The president also assures the south that the republican party has created a resolution as to not interfere with the South's current domestic affairs.
In the next part of Lincolns address, Lincoln clears up the problem of runaway slaves to the North. He explains that according to the constitution, slaves are property and so if they runaway to the North and are captured, they will be returned and Lincoln will enforce this law. Furthermore Lincoln explains that just because people believe a law will soon be considered unconstitutional, it doesn't mean they have the option to break it.
In the next part of the address, Lincoln explains his concerns about disunion. He explains that although 72 years worth of presidents have been able to lead the country through great problems, the problem the country will soon face is the most dangerous to date. Furthermore, Lincoln explains that acts against the union are infact illegal because currently their were no legal ways for a country to end or break itself up. Furthermore, Lincoln explains that if the constitution is infact a document made up by all the states, then to dissolve the union requires action by all the states not just a section.
Finally, Lincoln explains that he will defend the union at any cost and that the south has no real reason to flee the union because none of their constitutional rights have been violated. If the south is unable to be ruled by the majority then their other options are anarchy and despotism. Lincoln explains that he believes that instead of revolution or violent actions, the south must use the amending process if they believe their government has wronged them in anyway. Lincoln ends his address by stating that the future of the south lies in their own hands and that the federal government will not be the first to assail them and so the south will be the aggressor if they so choose.

John Calhoun Speech LAD #11

In 1850, John Calhoun wrote a speech yet he had become so ill that another senator had to read the speech for him. 27 days after the speech, John Calhoun passed away.
In his famous speech to the senate he expressed his concern about the union bieng split. He strongly felt that it was close to disunion for a number of reasons. He felt that the Unions first priority was slavery because he felt that it was a problem that had been avoided for too long and that it would have to be resolved in order to preserve the union.
Calhoun's speech explained to congress that slavery was the main issue but other problems like political divisions were contributing to disunity as well. Sectional disbalance was another problem as New England had been controlling the government for quite some time and taking advantage of institutions like the National Bank. The future annexation of new northern states was also a contributing cause to the split because the South was angry that there were no more southern states bieng annexed. The northen territories would add up to a 3/4 of the total states if the north was successful in annexing the states. These new northern states would result in an unfair northern advantage in the House of Representatives, Electoral College and the Senate. The south was also angered because they were bieng taxed more heavily even though the North was more wealthy and full of aristocrats. The south was also bothered by the heavy tarriffs because it was greatly hurting their trade with foreign nations. Yet the main problem remained slavery which the north believed was morally wrong while the south argued back that it was necessary for the southern economy to function. It was clear that abolishment would equal seccession. Calhoun concluded that the South needed to be satisfied and appeased or the union would be split.

Polk's War Message LAD #10

In 1846 after on-going fighting with Mexico, President Polk addressed congress concerning diplomatic relations with the current enemy. Previous diplomatic negotiations for peace had failed and including when America sent diplomats to Mexico and the current leader, General Paredes, refused to meet with them. The warring between the two nations had hurt both nation greatly economically because trade had once flourished between the two countries. The core of the problem was that Texas and Mexico had both claimed land and were now fighting over the boundaries. Once Texas was annexed, America felt the responsibility to defend the new Texan state and so President Polk ordered General Taylor to fight the mexicans using the American troops. Furthermore, General taylor was given the option of picking up volunteers in the surrounding states. The troops set up near the Nueces River and at Corpus Christi. In his message, Polk asked for support from Congress so that the war could come to an end quickly.

Seneca Falls Declaration LAD #9

The opening of The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions states that women are created equal to men and have the same inalienable rights. Furthermore it's stated that the government is put in place to protect these inalienable rights and when it fails to protect them, the governed have the right to overthrow or change the government because the government gets its power from the people and so the people have a right to take that power away if they feel the need to do so.
The next part of the Declaration states all the repeated injuries and negative treatment of men towards women. The list starts of by stating that men have never allowed women to practice their inalienable rights. Also Included in this list of grievances is the statement that when a woman gets married, in the eyes of the law she is "dead" or loses her rights. Furthermore it states that man takes all of his wives property including her salary or wages she earns from work. It also states that men have used their power to lessen women's self respect and have monopolized nearly all profitable empolyment oppurtunites. Men have also denied womens oppurtunies of education by shutting down colleges.
The last part of the declaration is a list of resolutions to solve the problems and grievances previously listed. This list basically summarizes the belief that women need to be treated as equals to men and have the same rights and oppurtunities. These oppurtunities include ranks and rights in religion, employment, government and education.