Monroe Doctrine Summary:
First, the Monroe Doctrine talks about negotiations with
Russia and Britain pertaining to colonization of the Americas. "The
occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the
rights and interests of the United States are involved, that the American
continents...are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future
colonization by any European powers..." President James Monroe then discusses
and addresses the topic of neutrality in the United States. He does not want
America to be involved in any European wars and said that America would not align
themselves with any European country in case a war did break out. America will
only fight in order to protect its people's rights and/or for public safety. He
then further discusses what would happen if another country tries to colonize
any part of the Americas which they already viewed as independent. Monroe said
that the United States was intrinsically tied to all the other colonies and
nations on the American continent, therefore, America would help protect and
fight along with another American nation if necessary to keep peace and safety
of its people. But, staying neutral was the top priority for America at that
time.
I know Columbus day isn't until tomorrow but...
Should Christopher Columbus be considered a hero or villain? The truth is Columbus had both heroic and villainous qualities, however, his nefarious actions far outweighed his superhuman actions. On the voyage to America, there was going to be a monetary reward given to the first person to spot the new land. When one of the sailors on board spotted the land from a distance, Columbus argued that he had seen the land the night before and ended up getting the reward. Then, once they arrived in America, they encountered Indians. As soon as Columbus saw the Indians he wrote, they would "make fine servants...With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want." To top it all off, in order to collect enough gold to repay the government Columbus told the Indians that they had to gather a certain, almost impossible, amount of gold every three months or he would chop their hands off. When one thinks of a hero they don't normally think of a lying, cheating, and cruel person such as Columbus.
Thomas Jefferson first says in order for the new union to be successful, the people must “unite in common efforts for the common good.” He adds that although peoples opinions differ, everyone's idealistic principles are very similar. Jefferson fully believes that everybody, even the minority, should have freedom of religion and also of opinion. He leaves the nation to develop their own views of federalism and republicanism. America has to create a foundation of public virtues which Jefferson says should include civic virtue (that every man has “equal rights the use of their facilities”), honesty, temperance, gratitude and lastly, that honor and confidence come from our actions not from our birth. Some of Jefferson’s personal practices include support of foreign policy, equality for all men (regardless of their background), the maintenance of a well trained militia, and freedom of speech as well as freedom of the press. In conclusion, Jefferson says that he will try his best to uphold all of the practices he has listed and asks for forgiveness if the people are unhappy, however, he will do his best to keep everyone as happy as possible.
Monroe Doctrine Summary:
