Keith, Patrick AMH2010
My understanding of Robert E. Lee had at least one slave even though he felt that the slavery was wrong. Lee was a good tactician, I do not know how good of a strategist that he was, because I do not know how much liberty he had in forming strategy for the Confederacy. Inevitable it was strategic error that cost the union the war, but then isn’t that always the case.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
John Jay-abolitionist
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
John Jay, our nation's first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was an ardent abolitionist. He was so adament about abolition that it even hurt his election chances in upstate New York, where slavery was still practiced in the late 1700s. He made practice of buying young black men as slaves, and freeing them when they were adults. He considered their work during time of enslavement as payment for their freedom. I think it is awesome that the first man to head the Supreme Court was against slavery. I was honestly surprised to find this out; I assumed that an abolitionist would not be able to attain such popularity.
John Jay, our nation's first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was an ardent abolitionist. He was so adament about abolition that it even hurt his election chances in upstate New York, where slavery was still practiced in the late 1700s. He made practice of buying young black men as slaves, and freeing them when they were adults. He considered their work during time of enslavement as payment for their freedom. I think it is awesome that the first man to head the Supreme Court was against slavery. I was honestly surprised to find this out; I assumed that an abolitionist would not be able to attain such popularity.
The Donkey and The Elephant
Keith, Patrick AMH2010
It seems to me that the rise of the Republican Party revolutionized politics in the United States. The Republican Party developed a central and specific platform to campaign from. This platform galvanized its supporters, socially conforming them to a specific ideal, and further polarized politics forever more in the United States. Because of the early development of the GOP, parties other than the surviving Democratic party and the GOP could never find room in the political landscape to survive.
It seems to me that the rise of the Republican Party revolutionized politics in the United States. The Republican Party developed a central and specific platform to campaign from. This platform galvanized its supporters, socially conforming them to a specific ideal, and further polarized politics forever more in the United States. Because of the early development of the GOP, parties other than the surviving Democratic party and the GOP could never find room in the political landscape to survive.
Who's First?
Keith, Patrick AMH2010
It is an interesting nuance of distinction of who was the first none elected president of the united States. John Tyler was elected to serve as vice president of the U.S., so that under the protocols of the constitution he would then be President of the U.S. He was elected to the presidency it seems, though not elected to be President of the U.S. Gerald Ford was not elected at all to the presidency, he was appointed to be the Vice-President of the U.S by Richard Nixon.
It is an interesting nuance of distinction of who was the first none elected president of the united States. John Tyler was elected to serve as vice president of the U.S., so that under the protocols of the constitution he would then be President of the U.S. He was elected to the presidency it seems, though not elected to be President of the U.S. Gerald Ford was not elected at all to the presidency, he was appointed to be the Vice-President of the U.S by Richard Nixon.
Joseph Smith's death
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, met his demise at the hands of an armed mob. He was being held in a jail awaiting trial for the destruction of a newspaper. In fact, he was supposed to be under the protection of the state, as there were non-Mormon mobs who wanted him dead. He had pistols that a friend had smuggled in, though he was unable to escape the confrontation with the mob. He jumped from a second-story window in attempt to escape, fell injured, and was shot to death. This is a very controversial religion so I am not surprised to find out that Joseph Smith's life ended like this.
Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon religion, met his demise at the hands of an armed mob. He was being held in a jail awaiting trial for the destruction of a newspaper. In fact, he was supposed to be under the protection of the state, as there were non-Mormon mobs who wanted him dead. He had pistols that a friend had smuggled in, though he was unable to escape the confrontation with the mob. He jumped from a second-story window in attempt to escape, fell injured, and was shot to death. This is a very controversial religion so I am not surprised to find out that Joseph Smith's life ended like this.
John Adams defends slayers of Crispus Attucks
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
John Adams handled the criminal defense of the soldiers who opened fire during the Boston Massacre. He was able to get the murder charge down to manslaughter. He called the assembly that day in Boston: "a motley rabble of saucy boys, negros and molattoes, Irish teagues and outlandish jack tarrs." I think this is an incredible piece of information considering the role that Adams played in American history. I never would have expected him to defend British soldiers in a court of law.
John Adams handled the criminal defense of the soldiers who opened fire during the Boston Massacre. He was able to get the murder charge down to manslaughter. He called the assembly that day in Boston: "a motley rabble of saucy boys, negros and molattoes, Irish teagues and outlandish jack tarrs." I think this is an incredible piece of information considering the role that Adams played in American history. I never would have expected him to defend British soldiers in a court of law.
The Confederate Flag
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
I had heard that the flag some southerners display as the "Confederate Flag" has been inappropriately designated as such. Upon investigation, it turns out that the modern Confederate flag is a combination of a couple different designs, and was never actually flown by the Confederate States of America. This common design is also often called the "Stars and Bars," another misnomer. The Stars and Bars was the first flag design for the CSA, and looks little like the flag of "Dixie" we see today. As the flag we know today was never even flown, I am appalled that it is recognized as the symbol of the Confederacy.
I had heard that the flag some southerners display as the "Confederate Flag" has been inappropriately designated as such. Upon investigation, it turns out that the modern Confederate flag is a combination of a couple different designs, and was never actually flown by the Confederate States of America. This common design is also often called the "Stars and Bars," another misnomer. The Stars and Bars was the first flag design for the CSA, and looks little like the flag of "Dixie" we see today. As the flag we know today was never even flown, I am appalled that it is recognized as the symbol of the Confederacy.
George Washington's Teeth
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
I thought it would be fun to look into the story of our first president having wooden teeth. Though he did in fact have false teeth, they were made from gold, ivory, lead, human teeth, and animal teeth. These primitive dentures even had springs to open and shut them, and bolts to keep the unit together. Apparently horse and donkey teeth were common components of this style of denture. It is amazing what dentists were able to accomplish even back in colonial times. Now I would just like to know how they would have fit a person for dentures.
I thought it would be fun to look into the story of our first president having wooden teeth. Though he did in fact have false teeth, they were made from gold, ivory, lead, human teeth, and animal teeth. These primitive dentures even had springs to open and shut them, and bolts to keep the unit together. Apparently horse and donkey teeth were common components of this style of denture. It is amazing what dentists were able to accomplish even back in colonial times. Now I would just like to know how they would have fit a person for dentures.
Monitor vs. Merrimack
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
Most students are well aware of the battle between these two ironclad ships in 1862. The four-hour battle proved to be a stalemate, which most people know. What is interesting is the fate of these two ships. The Merrimack was intentionally blown up by the Confederates about two months after the battle in an effort to prevent the ship from falling into Union hands. The Monitor was sunk while being towed during a storm about fifteen miles off the coast of North Carolina. I think this is an ironic end for the two deadliest ships of the time.
Most students are well aware of the battle between these two ironclad ships in 1862. The four-hour battle proved to be a stalemate, which most people know. What is interesting is the fate of these two ships. The Merrimack was intentionally blown up by the Confederates about two months after the battle in an effort to prevent the ship from falling into Union hands. The Monitor was sunk while being towed during a storm about fifteen miles off the coast of North Carolina. I think this is an ironic end for the two deadliest ships of the time.
William Lloyd Garrison
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent white abolitionist. He was known for his "radical" belief in immediate and complete emancipation of slaves. He even publicly burned a copy of the U.S. Constitution, declaring the document as being pro-slavery. Though a good friend of Frederick Douglass, they disagreed about the Constitution. Douglass thought that it guarranteed rights for all men regardless of color, ethnicity, or creed. I am quite shocked to learn of his burning of the Constitution, and though I understand his point, I liken this to burning the flag.
William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent white abolitionist. He was known for his "radical" belief in immediate and complete emancipation of slaves. He even publicly burned a copy of the U.S. Constitution, declaring the document as being pro-slavery. Though a good friend of Frederick Douglass, they disagreed about the Constitution. Douglass thought that it guarranteed rights for all men regardless of color, ethnicity, or creed. I am quite shocked to learn of his burning of the Constitution, and though I understand his point, I liken this to burning the flag.
Frederick Douglass
Evan Squires, AMH2010, Monday-Friday, 10:30 am
Surprisingly, Douglass did not harbor resentment against his former owners. Though he acknowledged their harsh deeds and cruel behavior in his autobiography he does not speak hatefully about his experience. Instead of blaming the slaveowners, he blamed the system. He said that slavery itself was responsible for the degradation of both slave and slaveholder. I think this is quite remarkable given his upbringing and the horrors he experienced during his time as a slave.
Surprisingly, Douglass did not harbor resentment against his former owners. Though he acknowledged their harsh deeds and cruel behavior in his autobiography he does not speak hatefully about his experience. Instead of blaming the slaveowners, he blamed the system. He said that slavery itself was responsible for the degradation of both slave and slaveholder. I think this is quite remarkable given his upbringing and the horrors he experienced during his time as a slave.
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