Meranda's AP American Blog

Lincoln begins his second inaugural address by saying there is no new information he can provide for them. the public already know the "progress of our arms", meaning the progression of the war. Lincoln explains that neither side wanted war, but one side wanted to split and one side wanted to stay unified, so there was no other choice. He then talks about how slavery was a catalyst for the war and, when war came, neither side anticipated how difficult it would be nor how large it would get. He discusses God and how Gods choices are "righteous and true altogether". To end his speech Lincoln to end the war and start rebuilding so the country may continue in peace. Woodrow Willson's Second Inaugural Address, like Lincolns, also stressed unity. 

In 1846, Dred Scott, a slave, and his wife filed suit against Irene Emerson for their freedom. Born into slavery in Virginia, Scott was eventually purchased by John Emerson in St. Louis. Scott went with him to Wisconsin and Illinois, where he married. Due to the Missouri compromise, Slavery was prohibited in those areas. they returned to St. Louis with the Emersons. Irene hired out the Scott family, after her husband had died, and it was then that Dred Scott sued for his freedom. Scott had lived in free states, but was still considered property of the Emersons. Nevertheless, Chief Justice Roger Taney ruled on the side of Emerson. He denounced the legal ability for Scott to sue in the first place, saying although some states grant African American citizenship, this does not relate to national citizenship. Therefore, he said, African Americans should not be able to stein federal courts and declared a lack of jurisdiction in the district courts. This decision ruled the Missouri Comprom

In 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered her "Ain't I a Woman" speech at a Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio. Truth begins by saying men believe women are incapable of  certain labor, but she herself had done many things men have not. And, she is a woman. Therefore, she implies women are capable and should have the same rights as men. She also extends this to men believing women need help in many aspects, but she, as a black woman, doesn't receive assistance. she doesn't even get fundamental human rights. Lately she says, women are going to fight fro their rights, so men should not stand in their way. Susan B. Anthony, like Truth, fought for women and African Americans rights, she fought for women suffrage and was an abolitionist. 

Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, gave a speech on the 5th of July: "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro". His speech was given on the day after American independence day and reflects on if America truly embraces freedom. Douglass begins by acknowledging the founding fathers of America, the he questions, "Are the great principles of political freedom and natural justice...extended to [slaves]?" Clearly, Frederick Douglass believes America has fallen short on their promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" by continuing the injustice of slavery. Douglass emphasizes this by saying that while Americans are celebrating the fourth oof July, others are trapped as slaves, which is unjustifiable. Douglass concluded by stating that he believes abolitionist movements will succeed and lastly, ens with William Lloyd Garrison's poem about the fight for slavery, despite the risks. Like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr. advoca

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is directed toward Americans after the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln attempts to preserve the union and wanted to avoid civil war, but the civil war began anyways. He reminds the citizens that America was founded on the basis of equality and this war is testing whether the nation will survive. He explains how men have fought valiantly, and they are gathered there to dedicate a resting ground to them. Now, Americans must resolve what these men were fighting for ad America needs to have a rebirth of freedom so that the "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from Earth." In JFK's inaugural address, he says "Ask not what your country can do for you, but you can do for your country," similar to the unity Lincoln speaks of in the Gettysburg Address. 

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address speaks to the citizens of the United States, as if they are all equals. Lincoln knows there is anxiety in the South because of slavery, yet he states he has no desire to take away the institution of slavery from the people. He goes on to emphasize the rights of the states, and how essential this is to the balance of power. He also delves into the Constitution, specifically the section regarding labor laws in one state and how they are applicable to other states in case of an escaped slave. Lincoln does not want to misconstrue the Constitution, however, he wants to review acts that were not repeated and determine if they are unconstitutional. So far, the union has been upheld, so Lincoln believes it is his duty to preserve the union. The matter of slavery has presented the threat of succession, but the nation has gone through so much as a whole and he does not want the unity to be threatened.  Lincoln ends his address with emphasis on the fact tha

Although Calhoun was too ill to actually deliver the speech, he addressed the disunity of the Country in regards to the North and South in his speech on the compromise of 1850. He states that the union is in danger because of discontent in the South and that so far efforts to preserve the union have been unsuccessful. One of the causes of discontent is slavery, which, due to the imbalance in Congress, has also caused discontent since the North became dominant. Also, since the North was viewed as wealthier, land and revenue caused distress in the South. So to appease the South, Calhoun says the United States must give them an equal right to territory and slaves. Despite, Calhouns efforts the Compromise of 1850 was still implicated.  Lincoln was a prominent figure in the Civil War, and also advised against succession, but when the South seceded he fought to uphold a union. 

Polk's War message focuses on the urgency of cementing relations with Mexico. Polk says that the United States intends to establish friendly relations with them and adjust the boarders. In an attempt to do just that, Polk asks to send an envoy over-John Slidell. The Mexican government agreed so they could discuss the injustices to the American people, which became a question of boundaries. Even though the envoy intended to create pleasant relations with Mexicans, tendons caused the overthrowing of the Mexican government. Polk sent the military to prevent Mexican invasion and after refusing to retreat the Mexican army invaded. Pols states that the two countries are in war, but the war was the fault of the Mexicans. The Civil War was also started due to sectionalism, the civil war began  due to a threat of a spilt in union, and the American Mexican war started because of Mexico's invasion of United States territory. 

1.  The principals stated in the beginning of this are that all men and women are created equal, as in the Declaration of Independence, except this included women. 2. some grievances under the Declaration were that women were forced to obey laws which they ad no control over, men took away property rights from women, men monopolized all profitable occupations, women were denied access to education, and men framed the laws of divorce so they had all the power. 3. The final resolution states that the women expect to receive a variety of reactions and that they hope that the convention will lead to others as more women begin to fight for their rights. 4. The Declaration of Sentiments was signed by prominent people like Fredrick Douglass, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Santon, Margaret Pryor, and Richard Hunt. Susan B. Anthony, however, did not sign the declaration, not because she did not support it, but because she was not present at the convention. The Declaration of Sentiments w