LAD #20 - Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation (issued September 22nd, 1862, effected January 1st, 1863:) stated that all slaves, in any state, were declared free. Lincoln said that the executive branch as well as the army and navy would “recognize and maintain the freedoms of such persons.” President Lincoln lists off the southern states which are in relbellion and tell them that their slaves are from that point on free. Lincoln then addresses the newly freed slaves and warns them to stay out of trouble and violence. 

LAD #19 - Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address

Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address was quite short. No skocking news about the war was shared that the general public did not already know. In Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, he had talked about trying to perserve the union without a war, however, "one party would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish.” He says that main cause of the civil war was due to the issue of slavery. The Lord has plans to repay the slaves for their years of suffering. He closes his speech with his resolution to end the war, repair the union, care for the soldiers/widows/orphans, and finally how to achieve lasting peace.

LAD #18 - Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott, the child of immigrants to the United States,  went to court against Sanford because he felt that his rights were being violated. Under the Constitution , Scott, felt that he should have the same rights as other men. However, since his parents were immigrants and did not have rights, Scott too was not a citizen and therefore could not obtain equal protection under the law. At the time, Roger B. Taney was the Justice of the Court.  He ruled that slaves were no different than property and therefore, Scott’s rights were not being violated. In the Scott vs. Sanford case, Sanford, a white landowner, won because under the constitution he had the right to keep his property (his land and his slaves a.k.a. Scott). Taney also declared the Missouri Compermise unconstitutional at this time. 

Blog #17 - Sojourner Truth: “Ain’t I a Woman?” Speech

At the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio, Sojourner Truth, an African American women, gave her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech. She spoke about her beliefs that women should not be discriminated against and that they are just as capeable of being successful as men. Truth believed that many men’s perception of women was degrading. She herself has accomplished many tasks that men would normally do and she was still a woman. Finally, she sums up her speech with the conclusion that men were created by God and a woman, therefore women should be given more respect and rights than what they currently had. 

Blog #16 - Frederick Douglass: 5th of July Speech

Frederick Douglass gave his “5th of July Speech”
in Rochester, NY)

Frederick Douglass, a former slave, opened his "5th of July Speech” with his angry thoughts. He was heated because the Declaration of Independence said that all men were created eaquily but in reality, they were not treated eaquily. On the fourth of July, white men celebrated their independence, however, black men could not because technically they were not free. He expresses his wished that the slaves nd would be freed and gain the same liberties that the white Americans are granted. 



LAD #15 - Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address is where the famous line “four score
and seven years ago" comes from.

The Gettysburg Address, given by President Lincoln, serves two purposes. The first is to thank and remember the soldiers who lost their lives fighting to preserve the union in the Civil War. Secondly, to address the importance of the cause. Lincoln understands that words alone cannot show how greatful the people of America are. Therefore, the living must give their utmost devotion from then on to the cause of preserving the union. The government was created by the people and for the people. It will continue to protect the rights of its citizens.

LAD #14 - Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln focused on the issue of slavery in his First Inaugural Address because it was creating a split between the North and the South. He clearly states that he is not taking sides in this fight. His sole goal is to preserve the union of the United States as a single country. According to the constitution, a person held to labor in one state is not able to shake that duty and become free by entering another state. This statement specificly refuring to the fugative slaves that escaped from the South to the North. Lincoln strongly and repetativly states that we must preserve the union. Any act of secession would be very harmful to the unity of the union. He says, “we must not be ememies,” but friends. Both the North and the South need to realize that these problems of slavery many not go away, however, the union must be preserved.