Gavin's AP American Blog

In his famous "Cross of Gold" speech, William Jennings Bryan attacked the gold standard and discussed his support for bimetallism. He believed that it was important for all American people to be represented, especially those who lived in the Western parts of the country. Bryan stated that the country needed someone like Andrew Jackson who would take a similar stance on economics. Bryan also claimed that the income tax was a just law. Lastly, Bryan denounced the gold standard and called for international agreement over bimetallism. He believed that the gold standard was only helping richer people who lived on the Eastern coast, and thought that a system that included gold and silver would help bring prosperity to Americans who were living outside of this area. Bryan finished his speech by comparing the gold standard to the crucifixion of Jesus, saying "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold." Bryan after delivering his speech Synthesis: FDR's ...

The Dawes Act allowed the federal government to divide Indian land. This would help assimilate Indians into American by ending a policy of tribal land ownership and allowing for individual property rights. Some important parts of the act were: 1) Most Indians would receive a grant of 160 acres 2) Land allotments would be controlled by the government for 25 years 3) Indians only had four years to select their land or the government would choose it for them By allowing for assimilation the act would benefit Indians and help lift them out of poverty. Advertisement as a result of the Dawes Act Synthesis: Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862

The populists believed that corruption had led the country close to moral and political ruin. They believed most of this was because there had only been two political parties for a long time. The Populist Party intended to return the power of the government back to the common people, where it had initially formed. The platform included: 1) All unions should be legal 2) Wealth belongs to the person that created it 3) People should have some power over the railroads 4) A safe and stable national currency should be created 5) Land should not be monopolized for speculative purposes There were several other sentiments that did not make it into the platform, including pensions for all ex-Union soldiers, a limit of one term for the President, and a stricter law on working hours. Omaha Platform Synthesis: Donald Trump ran his 2016 campaign with a populist message

Over the past century, Cuban uprisings against Spain had caused America headaches due to a disturbance of trade and the difficulty of maintaining neutrality. Despite American efforts to create peace in the area, Spain refused to allow Cuba any form of a self government and continued a bloody war. Because of the nature of the war, it is unlikely that one side could win a final military victory, and it was more likely that the war would continue until one side was simply too exhausted to continue. Because of this, McKinley sent a letter to Spain requesting that they immediately suspend hostilities and form an armistice. Because of the violence of past wars that America had been involved in, McKinley was reluctant to declare war on a country. However, he believed that it was the best course of action based on what was occurring in Cuba. McKinley's War Message Synthesis: Declaration of war of Great Britain that led to the War of 1812

Carnegie believed that the upper class should be giving with their wealth and improve society overall. Carnegie believed that the wealthy had a responsibility that came along with having lots of money, and that money should not be used wastefully. Instead, surplus money should be donated or used in a manner that has a positive impact on a large group of people. One point that Carnegie makes is that a person's personal wealth should be redistributed into society after their death. These ideas mostly conflict with the ideas of Social Darwinism, as that theory disagrees with philanthropy and the sharing of wealth. Social Darwinism: The idea that humans are subject to the laws of natural selection that Charles Darwin had discovered in plants and animals. Andrew Carnegie Synthesis: Bill Gates

On September 22nd, 1862, a new proclamation was issued. One impact was that on January 1st, 1863, all slaves held in states that were rebelling against the United States would be recognized as free. It was also stated that if there were representatives in Congress voted on by a majority of the qualified voters of a state, the state would not be considered in rebellion. Lincoln then listed the states that were in rebellion. There were several areas in states that were considered to be rebelling that were left alone, the most notable of these being West Virginia. Emancipation Proclamation Synthesis: 13th Amendment

Lincoln believed that there was less of a need for extended remarks in his second address than there was for his first. He believed that the progress being made by the military was making satisfactory and encouraging progress. Four years ago, most attention was being given to trying to prevent the upcoming Civil War. War came because one side was willing to create war because of their situation. Slavery was a major cause of this war. Lincoln believed that his main job during his second term was to eliminate the division within the country, take care of the soldiers who were serving in the military, and create a lasting peace within the country. Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Synthesis: George Washington's First Inaugural Address

In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that Dred Scott could not sue for his freedom because he was African-American and therefore not a citizen of the United States. It is often seen as one of the worst decisions ever made by the Supreme Court. Dred Scott, who had been a slave in Missouri, sued for him freedom when Missouri became a free state. The case traveled through several courts until it reached the Supreme Court in 1857. In the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Robert Taney ruled that Scott's lawsuit should never have been heard in the first place, as Scott was not a United States citizen and could not sue. This is widely seen as a terrible decision as Taney ignored precedent and distorted the meaning of the Constitution. Taney, who owned slaves, also ruled that African-Americans could never be citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in territories. This decision was celebrated in the South, as it seemingly provided an example of the federal government defending slav...

In her speech, Sojourner Truth says that women are equal to men but are not treated that way by society, because women are still helped when they are getting into carriages or jumping over puddles. Sojourner says that she has planted crops and worked on farms and can work and eat as much as a man, despite the fact that most people at the time didn't think that women could do that. At the end of the speech, she says that even though Christ was a man, he was born because of a woman.   Sojourner Truth Synthesis: Lucretia Mott

In this speech, Douglas praised the Founding Fathers and said that they were brave and wanted to honor their memories. However, Douglass also claims that slavery is unjust and goes against the American spirit. Because the 4th of July celebrated freedoms, Douglass claimed that only white Americans could celebrate it, as slaves had not been given any of the same freedoms. He believed that slavery was wrong because it went against the principles of liberty that the country had been founded upon, which made America barbaric and hypocritical, and it was unfair that only certain people in the country were given these rights. He ended his speech with a poem that also supported the abolition of slavery. Frederick Douglass Synthesis: Martin Luther King Jr.

87 years ago a new nation was created with the basis of freedom and equality. Now there is a civil war that is testing whether the country can survive. I am dedicating part of this field to the soldiers who died so that the country could survive. However, in a sense, the ground cannot be dedicated, because the soldiers made it above others to be impacted. While what is said after the battle will be forgotten, what occurred during the battle will not be. People need to be focused on the task ahead to ensure that the people who will killed did not die in vain and that American democracy will not be destroyed. The Gettysburg Address Synthesis: First Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt, in which he addressed the country on the impacts of the Great Depression and the need to carry forward.

Lincoln stated that people in the Southern states were fearful that their property and peace were in danger, but that Lincoln had no intention to interfere with slavery and that he had no lawful right or motivation to do so. Lincoln stated that the Constitution was extremely clear on the issue of slavery and the rights of enslaved people, and that he intended to follow what had been written in the Constitution. He was taking the oath of office with no doubts about the Constitution and what it stated about the issue of slavery. Lincoln also believed that the Union was very important, and that secession was a great danger. Because complete agreement would never be possible, it was necessary, on some issues, for either the majority or minority to step aside and allow for harmony. Lincoln claimed that the Supreme Court had an important role in the government and binding power. He thought that people in the North and South had to become friends instead of enemies and remember the past of th...

From the start John Calhoun believed that the issue of slavery, if not addressed, would lead to disunion. There are deeper issues that differences between political parties, and many people in the South feel like they cannot safely remain a part of the United States. One of the causes of the larger discontent is the issue of slavery, and another is the equilibrium between the two sections of the government (the Senate and the House of Representatives). The amount of electoral votes and members of the House from the North will increase significantly when a new census is taken, and the amount of Senators will grow when new states are added to the country. Because all of the potential new states are in the North, the equilibrium will be destroyed. The loss of equilibrium can be blamed on the North, as they have taken aggressive actions such as attempting to influence Texas and attracting immigrants to significantly increase their population. With this power, the North could try to end sl...

The United States wishes to have peaceful relations with Mexico, and a group of diplomats was sent to try to negotiate peace, but the Mexican government refused to listen to them. John Slidell was sent to negotiate and was well-received, but the Mexican president then resigned and Mexico fell under the rule of a military leader. When Slidell attempted to negotiate with this new government, he was turned away and told to return to America. This was a clear violation of a deal that Mexico had made with the United States that allowed us to negotiate with them. Texas has been annexed, is an important part of our union, and troops have been sent to protect it. Mexican troops nearby became hostile, and told the Americans to leave. Later, a fight began, and 16 American troops were killed or wounded. Because Mexico has been aggressive and invaded American territory, there is no option but to go to war. Polk's War Message Synthesis: Woodrow Wilson calls for entering World War 1 in 191...

1- The democratic principles are that all men and women are create equal and that they are given rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the government gains it right to govern from the people that it governs. 2- Complaints are that women had no voice in creating laws, women were unable to own property or make wages, divorce laws were unfair, there were unequal education opportunities, and women were unable to vote. 3- The final resolution stated that the people signing the document hoped for similar conventions of women to take place all around the country. 4- Frederick Douglas, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Jane Hunt, and Jacob Chamberlain all signed the document. Ansel Bascom had attended the convention where it was signed but did not sign it. Statues of attendees Synthesis: Declaration of Independence

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