LAD #4: The Federalist 10

1. Factions are groups of people who have a common belief between them. Although many factions are noteworthy, some are not and need to be controlled. The reason factions are so hard to eliminate is because when you get rid of a faction you are getting rid of someone’s rights. Madison compares these factions to what air is to fire. “Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.”

3. Since, most factions cannot be removed; there are ways in which they can be controlled. James Madison states that there are two ways to “cure the mischiefs of the faction.” One, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects. This means to remove the cause of the disharmony and to fix the problem

Revolution Article

Five interesting facts I learned were that

1. The Civil war was an extremely horrible war, in that many of thousands of people died. More than 620,000 soldiers perished during the war which is greater than any other war, most being American lives.

2. Although the Civil War was an extremely important war in American history, so was the Revolutionary war. One of the reasons in which this war was forgotten over the other wars was that the Revolutionary generation died within a decade including the original 13 Continental Army generals appointed by Congress in 1775. Therefore, the Revolutionary War was left to the memories of those who had not lived through the events.

3. In the Civil War the weapons were capable of producing greater casualties. Though still, in the Revolutionary war the combat was much more hand-to-hand. The soldiers used bayonet charges unlike the Civil War where soldiers used rifles, muskets, and powerful cannons.

4. The Civil War was considered the first "modern" war because it was the first war in which the camera was available (1861). People got to see actual footage in illustrated newspapers such as Harper's Weekly and Frank Leslie's. In addition to Americans saw ten minute films about the war which increased the patriotism.

5. In the Revolutionary War, the civilians suffered heavily. They lost their lives due to factors such as disease from soldiers. In the tiny town of Braintree, Massachusetts more than 100 residents lost their lives.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

Summarize the Declaration of Independence in 3 parts 1. democratic principles, 2. list a handful of grievances, and 3. the conclusion and then publish it on your blog as LAD #3.

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 and was written by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence was made up of democratic principles and a list of grievances to the king. There were many democratic principles in the Declaration of Independence, because this was what made America. Firstly, the document says that “all men are created equal” and that all people are entitled to “certain unalienable rights” such as “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It also states that “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government.” This meant that the government is not ruled by one person, but by the public. If the opposite happens then that person should be taken out of power.

Another major part of the Declaration of Independence was the colonial grievances to the king. Firstly it states that in England there was a tyranny. The king refused to agree to the laws. He also basically got rid of the power from the governors and has ruled without any help. If someone made a decision he did not like he would get rid of it. He kept standing armies in peace without consent from anybody else. He cut of trade from the world. He imposed taxes on the colonists without their consent. He deprived the colonist’s trial by jury, and basically controlled the lives of the colonists unwillingly.

The Declaration of Independence was in part a letter to the king and in part a constitution that still governs our democratic principles today. The Declaration called for the right for the colonies to be free and independent. If not for the founding fathers of our nation, and the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, America would be so much different today.

LAD #2: Zenger Trial

1) Who was John Peter Zenger?

Peter Zenger was a journalist who voiced his opinions freely in the New York Weekly Journal, about the onerous policies of the newly appointed governor William Cosby. For example Crosby prosecuted the interim Governor, Rip Van Dam, and removed Chief Justice Lewis Morris from the courts. He was put through a trial in which he was charged with seditious libel. In the end he was found not guilty.

2) What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

Peter Zenger was charged with seditious libel. Though this means making up lies about something. Though, Zenger was telling the truth about Crosby. The controversy was in that the governor could not condemn Zenger for telling the truth. Hamilton was able to sway the jury with this fact and Zenger was found not guilty.

3) What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

The Zenger trial influenced our government in many ways. It set a precedent for many later cases. It developed one of our biggest laws, freedom of the press. People were now, not afraid to say what they believed in. It also ended all judicial tyranny in libel suits.

4) What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

The lasting significance of Zenger’s trial was again the establishment of freedom of the press. It was a part of our first amendment and will be treasured forever, in America. It allowed people to speak of their own opinions.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

The Mayflower compact was basically a guideline for the Pilgrims to live by. It included concepts such as democracy, rules, regulations, and loyalty.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?

The Mayflower Compact included ideas about both the New and Old Worlds. It included New World Ideas in that the Pilgrims were breaking away from the autocracy found in England under the King. Though, it still had concepts of the Old World such as loyalty. One can clearly see this because the document swears to not only god but to the king of Ireland, France and Great Britain.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?

The difference between the Mayflower Compact and The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut is that the Mayflower Compact just states that a constitution should be made, while the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut actually is a written constitution and can be considered the basis of many events that later followed.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?

The reason for why the colonists of Connecticut used this approach to setting up their government was because the colonists wanted to be successful in creating a civilization. They knew that previous trips to the New World were unsuccessful, so they felt that order would solve this problems. By developing basically a written constitution they knew that their civiliation would do well.

5) In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut can greatly be considered a safeguard against an autocracy or oligarchy. It places restrictions on how long one can run and how they can run. It states “that no person be chosen Governor above once in two years” which shows how controlling this constitution is. The constitution was a safeguard and was important.

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