LAD #20 The Emancipation Proclamation

In his 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln declares that all United States slaves are now free and that both the government and the military will defend their freedom. Additionally, he claims states that do not comply will be recognized as "in rebellion against the United States". Lincoln appeals to ethos by noting his authority: he is both the United States President and the military's Commandeer-in-Chief. He further asserts the slaves freedom by mentioning that all states that are not deemed rebellious by the government must provide fair wages (exemplifying a push for equal rights). To provide one such job oppurtunity and to gain a greater military support for war, Lincoln makes it known that he could easily find a job for a freed slave in his military.Lincoln conlucdes that he has "fixed" America by moving it in this Constitutionally appropriate direction.

LAD #19 Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln discusses issues brought by the Civil War in his Second Inaugural Address. He begins by arguing that both the north and the south did not want war. But, despite diplomatic measures in an attempt to maintain peace, Lincoln asserts that the southerners would rather have war than peace, leaving the northerners no other option aside from preserving the Union. Unfortunately, neither side was capable of understanding how long it would take for such issues to resolve, which only further fueled the sectional hatred between the two groups for years to come. Lincoln mentions that several individuals prayed for the aid of god in order to attain victory in war against their hated opponents. Lincoln then proclaims that praying (alluding to hatred) is useless because none of the people's prayers have been answered. Lincoln states that he does not know the end result of this war, but he believes that the result is in God's hands and he will know what is best for the nationn. Lincoln concludes by attempting to inspire the people to remain strong, and that the people must not fight only for the nation, but for each other.

LAD #18 Dred Scott vs Sanford

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney sided with Sanford in the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case. Taney made the court's reasoning known, stating that the court concluded that because Scott was a slave whose parents had been born in another country, he cannot be recognized as a citizen and therefore cannot legally receive any American liberties prescribed in the Constitution. Instead, Taney believed that Scott (a slave and a foreigner) should be recognized as a lesser person, or a peice of property. As a result, Scott can neither receive protection through the American Constitution nor receive the liberties of a common white man, culminating down to the fact that Scott has no right to fight for his rights in the judicial system. Conversely, Sanford has rights given to him from the Constitution to use Scott as property. This court decision contradicts the Missouri Compromise because Scott had lived in slave free Illinois, but he can still be recognized as property. Because of this decision Scott once again became a slave and the precedent Taney set pitted the north and the south against each other, leading to the Civil War.

LAD #17 "Ain't I a Woman" Speech

Sojourner Truth argues against injustices she receives because of gender and color in her 1851 speech, "Ain't I a Woman?". She begins her argument by noting that although social reform is taking place in the north, there is still a large amount injustice taking place in the south. One example she points out is that there may be men who help women out of chivalry, no man has ever helped her becaue of her skin color (which makes her lowly regarded part of a lesser being). To provide evidence to support the claims of injustice she receives she argues that she has all the other strengths of a woman - she can plow, farm, and "work as much and eat as much as any man" - while also having to take the tasks and bear sufferings that other men cannot have, such as having thirteen children while later being burdened with grief that most of her children would be sold into slavery. Additionally, Truth advocates for women's rights by arguing that women are as "intellectual" as men. She also counter argues claims men have made such as "Christ wasn't a woman" by asserting that Christ came from God and a woman. Truth concludes that Women need to turn the world "right side up again", otherwise, not only African American women, but women in general will continue to be oppressed.

LAD #16 5th of July Speech

Frederick Douglass proclaims that the 4th of July is meaningless (in his words, "a sham") in the eyes of his fellow African American slaves in his speech "What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?" Douglass begins his argument by announcing the hypocrisy concerning Americans' celebration of independence because while they believe that they have eliminated all tyrannical elements from their nation, in reality, they are directly responsible for oppressing the African Americans. As a result, Douglass tells his audience that because they continue to celebrate Independence Day, Americans are still neglecting to see the dark and ugly underbelly of the nation - socioeconomic injustice. Douglass finds that by enslaving African Americans and that by treating them inhumanely, they will never have any actual freedoms in the home of the free. Douglass asserts that beliefs that African Americans are lesser than their white counterparts is foolish, as they perform labor which Caucasians have also performed, noting that they have built houses, constructed bridges, and have taken part in fishing. Additionally, Douglass tugs on the emotions of his audience by asserting that the oppressed are men of faith and believers of God. Douglass concludes by claiming that despite being a free, independent nation, there is an incomparable amount of injustice and atrocities here than anywhere else in the world.

LAD #15 Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Lincoln honors the soldiers who have so far sacrificed themselves to preserve the Union during the Civil War while also recognizing the significance of this action in his Gettysburg Address. In his address he solemnly states that nothing he could say can properly represent the sacrifice made by the Union soldiers. Lincoln claims that it was because these soldiers sacrificed themselves that the union has so far been preserved. He also makes an appeal to pathos by proclaiming that the battlefield will be these soldiers final resting place. Because of their sacrifice Lincoln tells his audience that they must continue fighting so that the soldiers do not die in vain and that the people's freedoms and democracy are preserved. Lincoln concludes that the people "shall have a new birth of freedom" by the end of the war and that this fighting will ultimately make both the nation and its people stronger.

LAD #14 Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Lincoln discusses the slavery issue between the north and the south in his First Inaugural Address. Lincoln begins this address by stating that he does not intend to abolish slavery and he believes his purpose is to preserve the union for the people. He thus proclaims that it will be the Consitution which decides this situation. For example, he notes that in the Constitution, no person who was in forced labor in one state cannot escape this duty and claim their freedom in another state. Lincoln is obviously refering to fugitive slaves who have fled their southern masters to their supposed freedom in the North. Lincoln then points out fallacious reasoning made by both groups: the northerners complain that the southerners are illegally partaking in illegal slavetrade while they are harboring fugitives and vice versa. Lincoln understands that the slavery issue will be ongoing he believes that by leaving such an ordeal alone it would only worsen with time. Aside from slavery, Lincoln also address the need for the nation to remain unified, as this has been the case since the very beginnings of the nation, before even the Constitution's time. He finds that regardless of how interrelations between the states were before his time, Lincoln believes that the states must now work together for the betterment of the nation, and that the only alternative to this lack of cohesiveness would be anarchy and secession. Lincoln concludes by proclaiming that "we must not be enemies" and that our actions must be guided "by the better angels of our nature". Otherwise, American society will fall to despotism and anarchy.

LAD # 13: Calhoun's Speech

John Calhoun address slavery and the growing disunity in the nation in his 1850 address. He asserts that the Northerners have gained a large population in recent years, and this will result in an imbalance favoring the north in Congress. He supports his claim by providing evidence of this imbalance: Calhoun ponts out that the nation recently admitted five new northern states from territories such as Oregon, Minnesota, and regions of Mexico, while at the same time no new northern states admitted. In addition, Calhoun believes that the national tariffs have only benefitted the north while harmed the south, leading to embittered sectionalism. This sectionalism is portrayed by the difference of ideology between the two groups. One instance which Calhoun points out is that while northern abolitionists want to free the slaves, this freedom in turn would destroy the Southern economy. Calhoun offers a solution to these present issues between the groups: he proclaims that the northerners must make concessions by protection the Southerners rights, accepting slavery, and giving them the oppurtunity to take land and gain representation. By doing so, Calhoun believes that true American democracy will be restored and the Union would flourish.

LAD #12 - Polk's War Message

In his address, Polk asserts his reasons for entering war with Mexico. He begins by noting that in recent years America's diplomatic relations with Mexico became strained because of disputes over land claims. He continues by noting that the United States tried to maintain "honorable terms" by sending a negotiator James Slidell to speak with the head of the Mexican government, General Herrera. Unfortunately, the Mexicans were not in a position to negotiate. Throughout the 1840's, Mexico underwent several revolution, and the political system was constantly changing. The negotiations would also cause a revolution because the Mexicans were disgusted by Herrara decision to allow an American to enter their country. As a result,  Herrara lost his position of power and the Mexicans decided to stop the negotiations. The Mexicans instead worsened their diplomatic relations by attacking American troops near the Nueces River in Texas (which was unnacceptable because the 1836 Treaties of Velasco made the area officially American territory). This would grow further out of porportion as future Mexican attacks would lead to the deaths of American troops. Because of this, Polk asserts, America had enough reason to enter war.

LAD #11 - The Seneca Falls Convention

The 1948 "The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions" represents an initial attempt for women to achieve equal rights and liberties to man. The declaration contains similarities to the Declaration of Independence (for example, they both begin with "we hold these truths to be self- evident" and both declare that the people want "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"). However, unlike the Declaration of Independence, the women advocate for equality between themselves and men, arguing that the men have created a "tyranny" oppressing the social and political rights of women. The writers of the Seneca Declaration continue by providing a list of grievances committed by men, which include: denying women the right to vote, advocating the idea that women are of a lower moral standing, and not allowing women full rights to property and wages. In their conclusion, the writers provide a list of resolutions to support their argument that this oppression cannot be justified.