A Little Interruption... Wednesday, October 29

Today we were supposed to be working on the research for our papers as assigned. However, as on occasion happens, we get a bit sidetracked.

We discussed some of the latest happenings as we near the November 4 election day. In particular, we talked about biases and fairness...

If Sara Palin is being criticized for the cost of her wardrobe, why are the men of the campaign not questioned about their costs?

We discussed whether or not there is a different standard for women than for men in the media and the latest issue which has received so much attention -- the hanging in effigy of Sara Palin and whether or not the reaction to having Barack Obama pictured the same way would be also protected as free speech or not.

Below are a couple of links addressing this matter:


http://www.reuters.com/article/sarahPalin/idUSTRE49Q79N20081027

http://www.sundriesshack.com/2008/10/27/sarah-palin-hung-in-effigy-and-the-ap-has-no-opinion/

If we can assume that there will be people who will vote against John McCain because he is older or against Sara Palin because she is a woman or against Barack Obama because of his race, or if we can assume hanging one candidate in effigy is somehow more acceptable than hanging another in effigy, it is clear that (at least sometimes) fairness and impartiality has little to do with election results or the choices people make.

Much the same way as historical neutrality is a sham, so is an unbiased electorate. It is human nature to be subjective. Perhaps that helps to explain why many of the "news" stories of the campaign have less to do with public policy matters and issues and more to do with personality and choices made in private lives. The general populace claims to be opposed to such coverage, yet they consistently pay attention to these things. Voters generally criticize politicians for not talking about the issues... The fact of the matter is politicians want to get elected -- and it may be that to do so, they are simply giving the public what they demonstrate they respond to.

Consider this an issue that may be part of the next blog test.

After the Revolution and Before the Civil War - Tuesday, October 28

Today, you were given your readings which will serve as a point of departure in your study of the time period for which you are responsible after the American Revolution and prior to the Civil War.

In the next days, I will lay out specifically the parameters of this assignment. For now, know that you are going to write a three page essay which looks at the significance of the time period for which you are responsible.

This assignment serves as the culmination of our work to date. You will be practicing your skills in historical criticism and analysis. That is to say that you will be examining, with a critical historical eye, the specified time period for the purposes of determining the following:

If the colonial period represented the "incubation period" and the War of Independence represented the "birth" of the United States, then what role did your specific time period have in its development? And in support of your analysis, what specific events and people led the way in that development?

Also, just a reminder about the presidential election study... it will be due November 18, two weeks after the election is over. Remember, you can find the required structure for the study on the Thursday, September 16th edition of the blog.

Revolution and Dinner Speeches Friday, October 24

Today you finished researching the five most significant occurrences of the Revolutionary War.

You also got to see John McCain and Barack Obama's speeches at the Al Smith fundraiser in New York.

The Revolutionary War - Thursday, October 23

Today you reviewed the chapter on The War for Independence (1775-1783) in the Davidson & Lytle text. In the same manner that a historian considers sources and cross references accounts of the past, you were asked to look at the Revolutionary war and consider:

What were the five most significant occurrences in the war?

We will continue with this activity for part of Friday's class.

From the Declaration to Constitution... You've Come a Long Way, Baby - Wednesday, October 22

Today we discussed the Constitution and how America's republican system of government reflects the values enunciated through the Declaration of Independence.

Recognize that the Constitution is a working, living document. As any nation's constitution does, it influences the life of its citizens daily, as the Supreme Court applies and interprets the meaning of this document.

America's constitution is actually a remarkably brief document and despite the Declaration of Independence's exhortations that Americans have a right to change the form of their government as they see fit and to suit their purposes, the Constitution has undergone only sixteen amendments since the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments) was added in 1791.

Here is a general overview of the Bill of Rights:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights

Here is a general overview of the Second Amendment right to bear arms, which we have discussed at some length.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Much of the rest of the Constitution dealing with checks and balances and the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches has been covered in class previously through our study of the political system.

Please read the remaining three short Articles (5, 6, and 7) as found at the site below:

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst.html

The Essence of Jefferson's Declaration - Tuesday, October 21

Today we looked at the first two paragraphs and the last three paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence.

A few things to remember:

• It serves as a formal and honorable notice to the British and a letter of explanation to the world for why the colonies were parting ways with the Mother country.

"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,... a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."

• It lays out the fundamental values that the American nation will be based on...

Equality -

"...all men are created equal..."

The Natural Rights of Man -

This was the idea that fundamental freedoms flowed from God to the people as individuals and not "rule by Divine right", where freedoms and rights were at the discretion of the monarch who was "chosen by God".

"...that they (the people) are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..."

• This simple belief in individual liberty is the fundamental principle that lies at the foundation of the republican system of government.

"...to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

• The belief in individual freedom was stronger than anything. It even surpassed the founding fathers' faith in the republican system of government that they would create, as Jefferson acknowledges the "right" and later what he refers to as the "duty" of the people to change not only their political leaders, but their entire political system.

"...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, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

"...when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them (the people) under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. "

• After laying out the greivances the colonists had with Britain, the Declaration closes with three paragraphs. The final portion of the work explains how the colonists sought to settle their differences amicably with Britain...

"In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms..."

"...We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence."

However, Britain did not listen...

"...our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury."

...Resulting in the decision to form their own country...

"We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends."

"We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. ..."

• Finally, the Declaration is a blood oath between the signers and, on a larger level, among the states.

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

Note: See the link at the bottom of the page to additional information on the Declaration of Independence. There is some good material to be found concerning Locke's influence on Jefferson (something we discussed in class).

Personalities of the American Revolution - Monday, October 21

Today we listened to the presentations that people prepared regarding some of the more notable personalities of the American Revolution. If you have not already done so, email me your file so I can put it in the drop box for the course.