LAD #20 Emancipation Proclamation

This Proclamation stated that all the slaves in the south were now deemed free by the Union. Also this proclaimed that these newly freed slaves had no obligation to an owner anymore. This freedom included that all free slaves were treated as so in the military. In the North all the slaves would be considered free from any from of indentured labor or servitude as a result of this proclamation.

LAD #19 Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

This speech is much more laid back and less important because this time there is no imminent Civil War. Sadly though there is huge conflict between the North and the South because of slavery. Lincoln also states how he hopes that slavery will be abolished because it is a problem plaguing the United States. Lastly Lincoln talks about how he wants and hopes that the Union is able to recover from the destruction that has occurred as a result of the conflict and war,  and also that the Union will be able to move on as a whole unified nation.

LAD #18 Dred Scott Decision

The presiding judge in this case, which was a case that questioned the fundamentals of the Missouri compromise, was Roger Tainey. Tainey ended up ruling in favor of Sanford. What was in question during this case was  whether Dred Scott was considered a citizen or not, and this came about because he felt that his rights were being violated. By ruling in favor of Sanford it was also made clear that Scott could not sue the courts because he is not considered a citizen by law.

LAD #17 Ain't I a Woman? Sojourner Truth

In Sojourner Truth's speech she brings up the issue of inequality for blacks but also for women. She talks about the issue of women having a lower position in society in men's minds, and also lower capability to do certain tasks. Then Truth talks about the kindness women are treated with but that black women, including herself, do not receive this same treatment. Lastly Sojourner Truth speaks to the fact that even though she is a female she is still a human and even though her skin color is different, that none of these factors should make a difference when it comes to treating someone in a kind and equal manner.

LAD #16 5th of July Speech

During Frederick Douglas' 5th of July speech he begins to talk about how slavery has been a wrongdoing of the white Americans for a long time. The utilization of the hierarchy in society with the labor class of blacks being the bottom, has been cause for pain and resentment towards the whites, from the blacks. Also Douglas states that the continuation of slavery in the United States would be a clear showing of the ignorance and lack of morals that some of the white population holds. The date of Frederick Douglas' speech was an important part of his speech in that he spoke to the fact that the 4th of July was supposed to be a celebration of American independence, yet for the black American's it was nearly impossible to celebrate because they are still lacking that freedom. This thought is then concluded in that the nation is unable to see their hypocrisy in keeping the blacks in slavery, and because of this the United States is, in Douglas' mind the most corrupt and cruel nation in all of the world.

LAD #15 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

This address was made by Abraham Lincoln shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg where the Union army defeated the Confederate opposition. He talks about the fact that it is sad soldiers had to be lost in such a conflict, that was between forces within the same Nation. Lincoln then regards that a civil war is occurring to preserve the Union because the Union follows the beliefs that the United States were founded upon. To close this address Lincoln states that he hopes the American government does not perish as a result of this Civil War.

LAD #14 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

In his first Inaugural address as the 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln spoke to numerous things that all, either indirectly or directly, related back to the South in some way. Slavery was one of the main points in his address, Lincoln made it clear that he did not want to slavery to spread. To contain this wanted growth of slavery by the south Lincoln said that interference should not occur and all states without slavery maintain that way. Next he acknowledged that the South were clearly unhappy with the North and that he would not use force unless an uprising against the government were to occur. Lincoln also says he wants to protect and preserve the constitution and that the South should also share this feeling because they also signed and helped to create the Constitution.

LAD #13 John Calhoun

Throughout John Calhoun's  speech the main focus is the dividing topic of slavery. During this time slavery was causing massive division amongst the United States people in the North and South that had not been seen before. Calhoun said that if the issue is not resolved then it could cause America to crumble as a nation. He proposed that the North who had been the more dominant of the two regions give up some of its political  power to satisfy the Southern peoples wants. This was because the North had a higher population, and therefore had greater representation. Also the North had a greater resources, funding, and land. This was also one of the causes for the Southern frustration. Lastly Calhoun wanted the political parties to unite because he believed it would cause a stronger more unified United States.

LAD #12 Polk

James K. Polk was President of the United States during a time where relations with Mexico were strained. His war message addressed this strained relationship with Mexico. Since the two countries bordered each other there were many border disputes as a result, but Polk wanted to achieve peace. Sadly the Mexican people did not have peace on their mind and they murdered many Americans across the borders. The American people now created an army base in Texas to help stop these murders from continuing, as a result of all these events President Polk admits that America will not be able to trust Mexico and that war is imminent.

LAD #11 Declaration of Seneca Falls

The Seneca Falls Declaration had two sections that made up the meat and potatoes of  the document. The first section established one of the basic ideals that is a foundation to our Country today, that being that all men are created equal. This is vital to America because it shows that as a country we believe everyone is equal and that no one is lesser in any way. It then begins to get into the fact that women are treated as lesser and that they really don't have many rights. This transitions into the second part of the document in speaking to the need for women to gain these rights that will help them become more successful as a population. For tis to occur, it stresses the need for men to back women with their efforts to gain more rights.