Gavin's AP American Blog

The Monroe Doctrine was read to Congress by James Monroe in 1823. It stated that the American continent would no longer be considered a possibility for any future European colonization. America had stayed out of European wars unless American safety had been threatened, and the United States would stay neutral regarding events between Spain and Portugal, though the situation was being closely monitored. America would continue to not interfere with European powers and would treat any ruling government as legitimate. Monroe Doctrine Synthesis: Woodrow Wilson's policy of neutrality during World War 1

Summary: After being selected by citizens to lead this country, I will find wisdom and leadership in the Constitution and govern based on rule of law. I will use the Constitution as a guide through difficult times. After an election filled with differing opinions, it is time for citizens to unite and create a common goal. Differences of opinion are not irreparable, and it is clear that Americans are still a united people. If anyone wants to dissolve the United States, they should be countered with reason instead of persecution. The government of the United States is one of the strongest on Earth, and citizens should confidently pursue the goals of an elected government. A wise government with restraint is important, and will leave citizens to often make their own regulations. There are many essential principles of government, including the pursuit of justice, friendly relations with other countries, and a right to democratic elections. People need to retrace their steps and begin on a ...

Christopher Columbus was both a hero and a villain, but he was slightly more of a hero than a villain. For one thing, he was a skilled navigator and explorer. He made four separate trips across the Atlantic Ocean, all on dangerous and . He also had advanced knowledge of Atlantic currents and was willing to take incredible risks. Most people believed that attempting to sail to Asia would be suicide, yet Columbus was still willing to lead an expedition. While Columbus was not the first European to discover America, he was the first to actually explore the continent. By becoming the first European in America, Columbus shaped history and directly led to the foundation of the United States. In the long run, Columbus created a bridge between the Americas and Europe, where plants, medicine, culture, wealth, and ideas could be spread across the continents. Christopher Columbus was a hero due to his success in uniting the European and American continents. To a lesser extent, Columbus was also a...

Washington's Farewell Address laid out what Washington believed that country could become, as well as listing out pitfalls and how to avoid them. Washington specifically mentioned several things to avoid: 1- The formation of political parties. Washington believed that this, as well as factions, would lead to the "ruins of public liberty." 2- Washington warned that unity among the states was important, and that everyone had to notice that the North benefited from the South and the South benefited from the North. 3- Washington stated that having a system of checks and balances was important, as it prevented one person from gaining too much power. Washington's Farewell Address Thomas Jefferson's Inaugural Address

Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality stated that if there were any wars between European powers, America would not become involved to any extent. This also made it illegal for American citizens to directly support any of the causes of the European powers. This Proclamation likely had the goal of maintaining stable relations with European powers and avoid dragging America into a war. Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality Woodrow Wilson, who declared that America would remain neutral during WW1

1- A faction is a group of citizens with a common goal or cause that they are extremely passionate and impulsive about. 2- Factions are bad, because, if left unchecked, they can quickly become violent and destructive. They are also often unjust and unorganized. 3- Factions are difficult because they are a direct result of freedoms and liberty. James Madison describes this relationship as similar to that of fire and oxygen. However, you cannot take away people’s liberties, meaning that factions will develop and exist. 4- Because it is difficult to control factions, the best way to limit their influence is by controlling the effects of it. The best way to do this is by preventing a faction’s cause from becoming influential among the general population. Federalist Papers #10 Example of a faction- Ku Klux Klan

1- The Revolutionary War transformed the roles of women because they had an increased role in society, and were given some societal responsibilities. 2- Women had increased roles in their families and in colonial society. Women embraced their role and tried to educate and train their children and pass on their educational skills, including teaching them English. 3- The Republican Motherhood was a significant step in the process for women getting increased rights. They had significant social responsibility and importance for the first time, and set the stage for later women’s rights movements. Republican Motherhood Mary Tilghman 1- The setting of the painting is a house during the era directly after the Revolutionary War. 2- Mary Gibson Tilghman is sitting at the center of the portrait. She exemplifies the changing values of the time by posing in the painting with her kids, because women in the time period had gained additional responsibilities, mostly involving motherhood...

1- Many people consider the Civil War to be the first modern war. Many letters from soldiers still survive, and the camera was used throughout the war. 2- Around 30,000 Americans died during the revolutionary war, and the population of the country at the time was only around 2.5 million. 3- Almost all of the most famous paintings depicting the American Revolution, including paintings hanging in the rotunda of the Capitol, do not depict actual battle scenes or violence. 4- Conditions were terrible for soldiers, and both sides treated each other brutally. People taken as prisoner only had around a 50% chance for survival. 5- Large numbers of citizens died as a direct result of the war, usually because of disease or battles for cities.   Revolutionary War Photo of Americans in World War II

1. The democratic principles discussed in the opening are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The declaration also states that rulers gain their rights from the consent of the governed, and people have the right to alter the government if they are being abused. 2. 1- King George kept armies in America even during times of peace. 2- He cut off their ability to trade with the rest of the world. 3- He took away people's right to a trial by jury. 4- He had imposed takes upon the colonists without their consent. 5- He had dissolved representative houses multiple times when they opposed him. 3. Representative from the United States of America declare that we are a free and independent country. All allegiance to Great Britain is gone, and the United States have the right trade, declare war, and establish alliances as an independent state. Declaration of Independence The United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights

1.) Who was Peter Zenger? Peter Zenger was a skilled printer who worked for the New-York Weekly Journal. The newspaper had been founded by Lewis Morris, who had been removed from his position as a judge by New York Governor William Cosby. For this reason, the newspaper was very critical of Cosby's administration. 2.) What was the controversy over his charges? Governor Cosby decided to take legal action against Zenger, because of his criticisms of Cosby. However, Zenger's case was brought in front of two separate grand juries, and both failed to indict him. Because of this, Cosby made the unpopular decision to send Zenger to trial without an indictment. Zenger was also not given legal representation. Because of this, many people thought the trial was unlawful and unfair. 3.) What influence did his case have on American governmental traditions? While Zenger's case had no major legal effect at the time, it changed the way that the general public thought about freedom of...

1.) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact? One concept included in the Mayflower Compact is the concept of religion, and it is clear that it was very important to the writers. There are many references to religion throughout the document, and it even begins with "In the name of God, Amen." It is also mentioned that the mission was "undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith." 2.) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds? The document clearly shows that while the colonists are in a new land, they still have deep ties to Europe, or the "Old" world. The document reflects an attachment to the "New" world when it is mentioned that the colonists set sail with the goal of founding the first settlement in the northern parts of Virginia. However, the document also directly references the "Old" world, and King James is mentioned sever...