L.A.D. #5: Federalist #10

1.) Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
-The factions were groups people united for a certain cause of interest, and were commonly "adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." One of the main methods thought to remove a faction was by removing their cause or controlling what every person thought, granting them the same opinions and interests. This goal was fairly unattainable because of the variety of opinions that would exist due impart to the liberty granted in the community and diversity was difficult to compete with. Different opinions involving religion, government, leadership, and other topics had separated people into different factions, and were more likely to "vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good."

2.) If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?

-Keeping a common opinion among them all was thought to have been a method to control these factions. It soon became evident that the causes of the formation of these parties could not be removed, the only compensation for putting up with these independent minded parties was by acquiring control of the effects the factions brought about. The majority could also be deemed by the government unfit to continue with its support of a certain idea or topic, the faction could "...lose their efficacy in proportion to the number combined together...in proportion as their efficacy becomes needful." The republican government also decided that "If the impulse and the opportunity be suffered to coincide, we well know that neither moral nor religious motives can be relied on as an adequate control" involving certain factions and their people.

Blog #4- Revolution Article

New facts learned from "Rethinking the Revolution" by John Ferling:

1) The American Revolution is and was actually thought of as less important and vital to American History, paling in comparison to the casualties and widespread suffering seen in the Civil War that took place nearly a century later.

2) July 4th lectures have made the Boston Massacre, Boston tea Party, Liberty Trees, Liberty Poles, and the Sons of Liberty themselves the focal point of the time. These have also continually served as remembrances for those killed in past wars.

3) In George Washington's letters to Congress he said nothing notable about the war, and neglected to discuss the nature and other gruesome aspects about the fighting. He also made no mention about any battles or the war itself during his term as President, unlike Lincoln, who established a day to remember those who fought in combat.

4) One of the most savage periods in the Southern colonies took place from 1780 until 1781, in which Colonel Banastre Tarleton led Loyalist cavalrymen in South Carolina's Waxhaws, killing off roughly seventy-five percent of the rebels who had already laid down their arms in a rampage. What remained of these rebels were able to gain retribution now and again however.

5) The British rarely ever suffered the same as colonial troops, who often ran short of food and clothing, resorting to eating pet dogs, their own shoes, and tree bark as means of sustenance. It was not uncommon for the rebels who seized British and Hessian strongholds to rob them of their own clothing, leaving the foreigners out in the cold.

LAD #3: Declaration of Independence

1.) Democratic Principles
-All men are created equal and have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and all citizens have natural rights in general. Those governed have the right to abolish a government and establish a new one if the governing body was ever to become corrupt. The consent of the people was also necessary for the passage of laws in the new government.

2.) Handful of Grievances
-King George III of Great Britain disabled the civil liberties of many of those in the colonies, also appearing to pass laws in the colonies that better the economy and lifestyle in his own country, rather than in his settlements overseas. Legislative bodies in the colonies were also been shut down at the King's will as he believed them to set up in opposition to him. He had also kept a great deal of his soldiers in the colonies and allowed them to stay in any quarters they see fit without the consent of the colonists themselves. Taxes were passed with the representations of the colonists, resulting in resentment as well as limiting the nations the American colonies could trade with.

3.) The Conclusion
-The assembly of the General Congress declared that the United States had the right to be free and independent of Britain and that any political ties were to be thereby severed. As a free nation the United States would therefore reserve the right to declare war or peace along with creating alliances and establishing commerce as needed, just like many other countries in the free world.

LAD #2: John Peter Zenger

1.) Who was John Peter Zenger?

-John Peter Zenger was a printer and an editor in the New York Weekly Journal. He arrived in the colony of New York in 1710 from Germany and was an apprentice of William Bradford of the New York Gazette. He printed articles that criticized the colonial Governor William Crosby, who had him arrested for these publications.



2.) What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.

-Zenger's lawyer Andrew Hamilton admitted that while Zenger had taken part in the publication of articles criticizing the governor, he also said that these stories were merely attempts at bad-mouthing the official unless proven otherwise, as the persecution had already claimed that the evident publication was enough to convict Zenger. Hamilton appeal to the jury to take into account the law and the facts, and was able to get Zenger acquitted.



3.) What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?

-This trial involved the use of the truth as a defense against slander. Hamilton's defense also became an example to be following in subsequent trails opposing tyranny in the regional and colonial governments.



4.) What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.

-Zenger's trial and the defense of his lawyer proved to be a step forward with the idea of 'freedom of the press', successfully establishing the policy in the colonies. This was mainly a result of Hamilton's defense, in which he claimed that a single statement is not a lie exactly, unless proven otherwise.

LAD #1 Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1.) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?

-The concept of colonization in the new world for -what could be considered- the glory of King James of England, along with the basic idea for a similar religion in this region of the New World. There is also the concept of self-government hinted at, as reflected in the quotation, "...hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers...as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience", although at the end it may be implied that the obedience may be toward the officers in the colony or the King.


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

- The Compact reflected on how the religion of both 'worlds' were similar, and the spread of the Christian Faith became a goal for many of the colonists in the new world. The "Old" and "New" worlds both had some common ground as well, as most settlers overseas shared the same background as some people back in England and the rest of Europe. As for further attachment, the colonists all but promised continued loyalty to King James of England, also going as far as referring to him as their "Sovereign Lord."

3.) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
- The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut dealt mainly establishing a form of government in Connecticut, and had little to do with anything else in the colony. Although the Mayflower Compact did in fact hint at some ideas of self-governing, there was no concrete evidence of it every actually happen in that time. The Fundamental Orders set up an entire system of Magistrates and a Secretary, along with elections and how one way to go about it. These Orders revealed the backbone of a planned government, while the Mayflower Compact as a whole did not.


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

-These colonists were residing in a fairly large number along the Connecticut River, and believed that an established government would be needed to keep them all together in order to maintain peace. It was also thought that this was the idea of prosperity and unity according to God, as religion played a key role in most of their lives. This written Constitution was not only forming a government in the colony, but uniting the people within it -through both religious and social aspects-, and also may have been written as a way of unknowingly showing that the colonies had the basic ideas of how to take care of themselves.

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?

-The Orders allowed for one Governor for a year, yet there would always be six other Magistrates with power at the time, and all would have the power to administer justice as seen fit. Freemen also had the ability to 'petition' the Governor or the Magistrates neglected or refused to call the General Court when necessary. Towns were also able to four Freemen to each General Court, therefore having somewhat of a say in the laws and orders that were to be passed in the towns. All actions were to be voted upon as well, and none of the Courts could disassemble without the consent of the majority in said Court. Complete power was not given to one sole person, rather it was divided amongst a body of colonists, each with their own degree of control.