LAD #7 Washington's Farewell Address

In his farewell speech, Washington stated that he would be stepping down from presidency after two terms. Since he was the first president, he set the precedent for how many terms a president usually served (although terms weren't legally restricted to two terms until after President Franklin D. Roosevelt.) Washington said that he owed a great "debt of gratitude" to his "beloved country." Washington also spoke about his support of Republican government in the United States.

LAD #6 Proclamation of Neutrality

In the Proclamation of Neutrality, George Washington was advocating for the United States to stay neutral in foreign affairs. Even though European powers were at war across the sea, Washington wanted to make sure that the United States did not pick a side. He said that the USA should respect other world powers but avoid aligning with them.

LAD #5

1. Republican Motherhood Blog

What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

During times of "disorder and turmoil, when foundations...seem fast breaking up, and the flood of desolation threatening to roll over the face of whole society," (doc D) women were expected to be the most solid part of society. As early as 1787, only years after the Revolutionary War ended, it was said that "female education should be accommodated to the state of society, manners, and government of the country." (doc B.) In 1837, after the revolutionary war had been over for decades, it was stated that the "influence of woman is not limited to the domestic circle" and "society is [the women's] empire." (doc D.) 

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Now that women played a more prominent role in government and society, they could be blamed for their wrongdoings. After the Republican Motherhood movement began it was said that "whenever she neglects [her] duties, or goes out of this sphere of action to mingle in any great public movements of the day, she is deserting the station which God and nature have assigned to her." (doc A.) If boys were not raised "properly" and were not suitable to partake in society, then the women has, so-to-speak, failed her duty and can be blamed for doing so.


3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?

Before this stage, women were simply meant to cook, clean, and stay out of the way of their husbands work. When the Republican Motherhood ideology began to emerge, it gave women more of a purpose. Raising their children to be a part of the real world and being able to have a minute part of government was a big step for women of this time. Home was said to be the “nursery of the future man and of the undying spirit” and women were in charge of keeping it that way. (doc A.) 






1. Setting: Mary Gibson Tilgham and her children seem to be in their house and seem to be very comfortable where they are. They are sitting on a couch and her sons are sitting peacefully on her lap.

2. About the Woman: Mary Gibson Tilgham, the mother, is centered in the portrait because she is in charge of the household. She is responsible for taking care of the house, educating her children, and providing a suitable environment for her children to grow up in. Mrs. Tilgham has a content look on her face and seems to be happy.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?: Mrs. Tilgham's sons are dressed nicely and they are both smiling. One can infer that Mrs. Tilgham is educating the boys in many different subjects and arts and is teaching them how to be proper gentlemen.

4. Significance of Mrs. Tilgham's arm: Mrs. Tilgham's arms are wrapped around her children. It seems as though she is protecting her children and making sure her sons are safe.

Blog #4- Revolution Article

1. The American Revolution was America's longest declared war lasting for over eight years.

2. A lot of the information we know about the early founding fathers (Benjamin Franklin, George Washinton, John Adams) are from their autobiographies, biographies or memoirs (which may have been over-exaggerated or biased.)

3. Washington did talk much about the "terrible nature" of the Revolutionary war and even when he was president, he never asked congress to dedicate a day to the men who fought. On the other hand, Lincoln is remembered for his Gettysburg Address and travelled to Pennsylvania to dedicate it to "those who gave their lives."

4. In the Conitnental Army, 1 in 4 soldiers died.

5. During the Revolutionary War, the only way to portray what happened on the battle fields was through artwork. By the time of the Civil War, photography was being used and had a big influence on how news of the war was spread. During WWII, news and images were being spread cinematically. 

LAD #3 The Declaration of Independence

1. Democratic Principles--

In the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, it is made clear that the colonists want to be freed from British rule and have the power to rule themselves. The writers of the Declaration claim that in order to secure the "unalienable rights" of life, liberty, and the per suit of happiness, "governments [should be] instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This method of the people governing themselves was not commonly practiced in Europe, especially not in England, and the colonists were seen as very radical in their ideology. The Declaration also states that if "a long train of abuses and usurpations" come along then "it is [the people's] duty to throw off such government." In the first few paragraphs of the Declaration, the colonists outlined the basics of the Democratic system that America still operates under today.

2. List a Handful of Grievances--

-The king quartered "large bodies of armed troops" in colonist homes

-The king taxed colonists without their consent

-The king "plundered [their] seas, ravaged [their] coasts, burned [their] towns and destroyed the lives of [their] people

-The king cut off trade with the American colonies

3. Conclusion

In the concluding paragraphs, the colonies are finally referred to as "The United States of America." Pushing for freedom, the colonists state, "all political connection between [the United Colonies] and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." the two countries would now be "enemies in war, in peace friends" which was proven to be true in later years.

LAD #2 John Peter Zenger

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?

John Peter Zenger was a bold New Yorker who published a weekly journal that openly criticized Governor William Cosby. 

2. What was the controversy over his charges?

 Zenger was charged with criminal libel. Technically, what Zenger was publishing wasn't false, it was his own opinion. During Zenger's trial, Andrew Hamilton proclaimed that exposing public wickedness "is a duty which every man owes to the truth and his country."

3. What influence did his case have the American Government tradition?

The first amendment, set in 1791, states that all citizens have the freedom of speech and freedom of press. People can publish what they want and voice their opinions without being arrested or killed. 

4. What is the lasting significance of his trial?

Unlike the United States, in other countries people can be killed for criticizing their leaders. In Russia during WWII citizens could not criticize Lenin or Stalin without being punished or killed. Even today in North Korea citizens cannot speak out against their communist leaders. In the United States, however, it still holds true that citizens can voice their opinions and published hat they please without worrying about consequences.

LAD #1: Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

It is apparent that religion is one of the most important parts of life for the people of the Mayflower. They are coming to the New World by "the grace of God" and are of devout "Christian Faith." It makes sense that they included religion in the Mayflower Compact because the main reason for the voyage was to escape religious persecution. The colonists also stated they would join in a "civil body politick." They agreed to live under "equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and officers." They wanted to create a governing system that would benefit everyone in the colony.

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

 The Mayflower Compact reflects ideas of the Old World by referring to King James and by stating that their voyage was taken "in honour of [their] king and country." They still viewed themselves as Englishmen--not Americans.
Although the Compact has connections with the Old World, it has many new ideas. They speak of "combin[ing] themselves into a civil body politick." Now that they are in the New World, they have the ability to govern themselves because there is no monarch. They can choose their own officials and live under constitutions that they wrote for themselves. This is a new freedom to the colonists coming from Europe.

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

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are much more elaborate than the Mayflower Compact was. The Mayflower Compact simply states that they will no longer be living under a monarch's rule while the Fundamental Orders outline the specifics of electing a governor (how voting works, how often to vote, requirements of governors, etc.)

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

The colonists of Connecticut took this approach because they had finally escaped (for the most part) the binding control of King James back in England. They took advantage of their new freedom and outlined how their new system of government will work in the New World.

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?

It is apparent that the colonists of Connecticut are afraid that a strong leader will emerge and take control of the colony. Afraid of having a monarch-like leader, the colonists made sure to set regulations to rid all fear. First of all, the colonists were to be the ones to elect their governor using "one single paper with the name of him written on it whom he desires to have governor." The Fundamental Orders also stated that elections would be held frequently so that one person would not be in power for too long.