Livia's APUSH Blog

Blog #11: The Monroe Doctrine expresses the desire of the US to have European powers respect their rights and interests. Therefore, the United States will no longer tolerate colonization by these European structures and will intervene if colonization continues. The Doctrine states that America has not taken part in European affairs unless their rights are put at risk and they have to defend themselves. Since the Allied Powers have government systems that differ from that of the United States, Americans must defend the government which the US has fought to achieve. Colonization is a threat to the peace and safety of the US, and the US has declared neutrality and plans to obey it unless there is a change in the "judgement of the competent authorities" of the US government. The Doctrine addresses the fact that the US has remained neutral and it hopes that foreign powers, in a similar manner, will follow the same path. The overall message to European powers is that the US pla...

Blog #10: In  Jefferson's first Inaugural Address, Jefferson opens by talking to "Friends and Fellow Citizens." Jefferson is humble and responsible as he is about to take on the role of president and he will abide by the Constitution and protect the rights of citizens.  Jefferson's first Inaugural Address demonstrates Jefferson's view on political parties. Jefferson's election had been focused on the rivalry between the Federalists (John Adams) and the Republicans (Jefferson). Nevertheless, Jefferson goes onto say in his address that "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists," which connects his speech to a much larger audience. Although they were opposing parties and have their reserves and concerns about each other, Jefferson hopes they can "pursue [their] own Federal and Republican principles." Jefferson's Inaugural address also ensures the rights of the people. He safeguards justice, freedom of religion and press, civil ove...

Blog #9: Columbus Was Columbus a hero or villain? Columbus is a hero, right? Well, that's what everyone says. That's what all the children books say, and why today (Columbus Day) is a celebration. But, why? How do you know he is a hero? Yes, in 1492, he sailed the ocean blue and it is quite possible that, if it weren't for Columbus, we wouldn't be here today. Columbus made progress. However, who's point of view is this told from? Not, the Indians who barely survived this encounter, but the Spaniards, who, of course, thought Columbus was heroic. Also, progress is only an excuse. Columbus's progress camouflages the genocide, that was "necessary" for such progress, the cruel subjugation, and the ruthless exploitation. Columbus murdered, mutilated, and drove people to commit suicide. Now, tell me he is a hero. His progress was at the expense of the Indians, making him, to a greater extent a villain. Columbus described the natives as...

PresidentsLAD/Blog #8: Washington's Farewell Address. In Washington's Farewell Address, Washington states that he won't be serving another term. Even though the people wanted him to serve another term, he refused and said he was satisfied with the work he did. Without him, he says that the people must abide by the Constitution and, especially now, the country must unite. He encourages the US to avoid military rule or dictatorships which tend to rob the people of liberty. Rather, the people must treat union as liberty and the love of the union will cause them to preserve liberty just like the love of liberty will cause them to preserve the union. Washington warns the people  about political factions. These parties can take upon influence in a certain geographical location and therefore misrepresent the passions or opinions of the people. The US should be united in the sense that these parties should have "affection" toward eachother, but the factions only divide...

LAD/Blog #7: Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality acknowledges the state of war between foreign powers. It goes on to say how US citizens will respect the decisions and actions of the nations and will avoid intervening. Also, Washington states that citizens can be punished if they aid or perform hostile actions against any power or by bringing forbidden items to them. Citizens who do this will not be protected by the US government. In fact, Washington instructed officers to prosecute anyone who breaks the laws of these nations. Like Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, Woodrow Wilson established a policy of neutrality at the start of World War I. Wilson wished to remain "impartial in thought as well as in action," similar to Washington's statements of how the US government and citizens should not intervene or act against the foreign countries.

LAD/Blog #6: Federalist Paper #10 1.  What is a faction? A faction, as defined by Madison, is a group of citizens (in the minority or majority) who are united and motivated by their own economic or political interests and opinions. 2.  Are factions good or bad? Factions can be both good or bad. While factions promote ideas that the public may be in agreement with, they divide up mankind in to parties which frequently are in disagreement. The parties often oppose the institutions of the government, threatening the political stability. Factions can bring about changes that many people are not in favor in.  3.  Why are factions so difficult to eliminate? Factions are difficult to eliminate because one must remove its causes to eliminate a faction. However, the only way to remove the causes is to destroy liberty or give every citizen the same economic or political passions and interests. Destroying liberty is impossible because it is essential to the politi...

Blog #5: Republican Motherhood. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood? The Revolutionary War transformed housewifery to Republican Motherhood in the sense that women were now expected to nurture the future men of America. The domestic sphere, the household, is the "cradle of the human race" (Doc A) and women were held to the standard of raising men through "mental nourishment" (Doc C) and "training up good citizens" (Doc A). Also, the idea of female education was reformed to prepare women for their domestic duties. This outlines how the rising sense of patriotism and independence made women entitled to keeping order in society, since they were responsible for the future of America. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women? In some aspects, Republican Motherhood made people realize the importance of women. Women were the ones who kept order in society. They were respo...