Megan's AP American Blog

LAD/Blog #11: Monroe Doctrine President Monroe begins by addressing relations and negotiations with Russia and Great Britain regarding the colonizing of the Americas. He declares that, “the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers…”  He then speaks to American neutrality, saying he would not involve America in the European conflicts (or in already established colonies)- only when the US’ rights are infringed upon will it fight. He points out that European governments are very different from those to the west, and that any attempts to establish them would be seen as a threat. He also says America would not take sides with any European countries if there was a war. He announces that America will treat all other governments equally, not showing submission to any but also staying neutral. He ends by saying if European countries attem...

LAD/Blog #10: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address Jefferson begins his speech by saying how grateful he is to have been elected president, how humbled he is to be in this position, and how he plans to look to others for guidance. He says he will rely on his virtues during difficult times. He then says that although the government represents the will of the people, and that the majority will prevail, the minority will still have equal rights. He then begins to speak about political divisions (parties), and says that since religious intolerance has ended, it is destructive to create more toxic separations between people. He says the very famous lines, "But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists." After asserting this, Jefferson continues on and says that some may not think the government is strong, but declares that he believes it is the ...

Blog #9: Columbus After receiving funds from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492. He was searching for India, and was trying to find a route to help bring back goods to Spain. However, 33 days after leaving, instead of finding a path to India, Columbus reached land in America- the New World. After making landfall, he influenced both the natives as well as his mother country. He was both a villain and a hero, but a villain to a greater extent than a hero.                             Christopher Columbus was much more of a villain than a hero. This mainly is because of his treatment of the natives, who he named Indians. His initial reaction after seeing them for the first time was to make them slaves. Columbus himself even wrote that “They would make fine servants… With fifty men we could subjugate them...