LAD/Blog #21: Emancipation Proclamation

On September 22 of 1862 Abraham Lincoln issued what is called the Emancipation Proclamation. The most significant part of this proclamation is stating that any slave engaged in the rebellion is free, and the government and army will fight to ensure that they remain free. A second major prospect mentioned is that if a state is part of a rebellion and they peacefully send an official to congress, they will no longer be in a rebellion. Lincoln then states which states are in rebellion: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. However, he pardons parts of Louisiana and Virginia saying that they are not in rebellion. This part of his proclamation was powerful because it put the power of decision making into the states hands urging them to choose peace. he encourages that all freed slaves be peaceful and cautious. he urges that all people show kindness to everyone in hopes of changing the future of the nation. 

LAD/Blog #20: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address

In this Inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln starts off by saying how since America is in the midst of civil war and he has been sharing speech after speech, there really is not a whole lot more he has to say which has not been said. He is hopeful for the future of America, but does not firmly say what he thinks will be of the end of the civil war. He does not know when the war will finally be over, but mentions that it will not be done until justice is done. He recognizes that the nation is so split but is hopeful for peace and an end to the war soon.

LAD/Blog #19: The Dred Scott Decision

The Missouri Compromise stated that Maine would be a free state, but that Missouri would be a slave state. it also set up the idea that no territory west of the line 36 30 excluding Missouri would become slave territories. This relates to Dred Scott's case because he lived in territory beyond 36 30, never filed for freedom, but then decided to and was denied his freedom regardless of the fact that he lived in free states. Taney made Dred Scott as object and possession saying that he was property and property could not sue, thus he had no right to sue let alone sue for freedom. This case was a major cause of the Civil War. It showed just how little respect Slaves had from Whites.

LAD/Blog #18: Sojouner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman" speech

In this moving speech, Truth exposes the reality of how she is treated and lives her life. she starts by saying how there are so many activist movements going on everywhere. So many people who want change.   She goes on to talk about Man's view on how women should be treated. That they "need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere." She does not get helped into carriages. hse does not get lifted over ditches. She does not have the best place everywhere. but "Ain't [she] a woman? why does she not get treated like a woman based on the color of her skin. She mentions how intellect has nothing to do with it, and dives in to the religious aspect of it. Stating how Christ came from a woman, she reinforces that women were given the power to turn the world upside down so women have the power to turn it right side up again and change it. Regardless of the color of their skin. 

LAD/Blog #17: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech

This speech was ironically given on America's Independence Day- the 4th of July. A day to celebrate our freedom, our rights, our independent nation. However, Frederick Douglass makes this speech because he does not have anything to celebrate. He talks about slaves and blacks and how rights that white American have the luxury of having, exclude African Americans. He does not come out and just say this however. He asks the audience if the rights extend to African Americans. He says he would be so happy and would have something to celebrate on the 4th of July if so. He asks why he was invited to speak. He asks if he was called in so that the White people could mock him. He knows how terrible African Americans are treated. He knows how little respect, worth, and rights, if any, they are given. He intends to use his power in his speeches to bring about the realization of these truths, and to ultimately make a change.

LAD/Blog #16: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

This is probably one of the most iconic speeches throughout history. Among Martin Luther Kings "I had a dream" everyone always remembers that this Gettysburg address starts with "Fourscore and seven years ago." This speech takes place on a battle field. Such a significant action. Lincoln is addressing the people about how the Nation is being so strongly tested right now, and he's talking while standing on ground where, earlier, men lost their lives. He dedicates the land to the fallen soldiers, and speaks of the great importance this land and the memory of those who died have. "That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." This speech was Lincoln's eulogy for everyone who died, and a way to show that they will never be forgotten. 

LAD/Blog #15: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In his first address, Lincoln starts by immediately addressing the obvious tensions between the North and the South. He had previously stated he will not get involved in the issue of slavery, for even more problems could arise and the South would have no reason not to secede, but focuses on a balance of power in each state compared to federal power. Lincoln firmly believes in the constitution and reiterates that he will uphold the values in the constitution, and also uses the constitution in his speech reading straight from it. Lincoln has arguably entered office at the most difficult time. Some states are threatening to secede, but he addresses this issue with talking about how regardless of whether or not a few states wish to leave the union, unless every state leaves the union the union still exists. This was a way to bring bout hope with all the chaos going on at this time. He stresses that no violence or blood should be shed or necessary. It is his job to preserve the union, and his job to make sure laws are enforced making sure the union remains preserved. He expects people to respect the Supreme Court, but that they maintain control over it so ‘democracy does not disappear.’ On the topic of slaves, he recognizes that America is completely split, but addresses the issue by saying that men should think long and hard about their beliefs, what is wrong, what is right, and also to think about if secession and civil war is the right choice.