LAD #4 - the Federalist Paper #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
A faction is when a group of people, whether or not it is a minority or majority, unite as one and agree to disagree, "adversed to the rights of other citizens". Factions are the essence of man’s nature and therefore go hand in hand with liberty. The Tenth Federalist Paper says, "Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without it which instantly expires." This means that, in creating a a government whose foundation is based on liberty and equality, automatically sets up for factions to arise. In eliminating factions, one could remove the causes or control its effect. Yet by doing so, would be to abolish liberty or would create a robotic type of community. In this type of society, every citizen has the same opinions, the same passion, and the same interests, which would be a complete bore. Therefore it would be literally impossible to remove such factions without completely destroying the government which had been created under the Constitution.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
The American constitution, created a republican government. This means that a central, dominating power is eliminated from taking over. Thus, halting any action that would later erupt into a dictator or monarchy. Since factions are the nature of man, and since the cause of factions cannot not be removed for fear of destroying the liberty of the United States, the effects of factions therefore must be controlled. If the faction is less than a majority, the Federalist papers say "relief is supplied by the republican principle, which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by regular vote." Though this may mask the party's actions, it will not mask its actions under the Constitution. Under the American government, when the faction is a majority, the party is able to sacrifice its ruling passion or interest both the public good and the rights of other citizens. The Constitution encourages that the public vote for officers who they believe will represent them the best. Though they do not directly vote on each issue there is a trust that the elected representative will do what they feel is the good for the whole public. Elected representatives also means, that a diversity of people are elected, therefore eliminating the probability that a whole faction would be elected. Smaller and weaker factions can thus be controlled by a strong federal government. Though this does not totally eliminate factions, it does control the effect its actions have on the good citizens of America.

LAD #3 - the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson was essentially a list of colonists’ grievances and the justification for their claims of abuse of the King George II. He wrote, “We [the colonies] hold these truths to be self-evident”. This statement followed by the reasons the colonists’ felt justified their call for independence from Britain. It continues to say, “That all men (meaning white males, and most definitely not women and blacks) are created equal”. The Declaration of Independence states, that a government must protect the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness of the people. And if the government fails to do so, it is the duty of the people to overthrow the government and secure in its place one that would provide happiness and safety.

Following the opening statements of the Declaration of Independence, are the specific grievances of the colonies. The statements outright accuse King George III of abusing the colonies. “He [King George III] has kept among us [the colonies], in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures,” this demonstrates the colonists objection to the Quartering Acts which declared that all citizens if asked, would allow soldiers to sleep and eat in their household. “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world,” was one grievance that was caused by the Navigation Acts that restricted the colonies to trade solely with Great Britain and the British West Indies. “For imposing taxes on us without consent,” was one cry that was not unheard, since it was shouted as, “No taxation, without representation!”

The concluding statements of the Declaration of Independence announce the colonies’ right to be “Free and Independent States”. That those who signed it, “pledge to each other [their] lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.”

Political Cartoon #1 - the American Rattlesnake

1. Interpret the cartoon. What historical event/issue is being represented?

The cartoon, “The American Rattlesnake” is an etching by James Gillray, and was published in London by W. Humphrey in April of 1782. The coils of the rattlesnake encircle two British troops. It is implied that these are the British troops from the battles at Yorktown and Saratoga. The historical event being represented is the coming end of the American Revolution since this was published when peace negotiations were beginning to take place.

2. What is the message that the cartoonist is trying to convey? Which side of the issue does he support?
James Gillray is trying to convey that any further British efforts to supress the Americans would be futile. The caption at the bottoms reads, “Britons within the Yankeean Plains, Mind how ye March & Trench, The Serpent in the congress reigns, As well as in the French.” Which further emphasizes the confidence of Gillray that the Americans will come out on top. The rattlesnake has been tattooed on the tongue with, “Two British Armies I have thus Burgoyn'd, And room for more I've got behind." A sign has been drawn over the third coil; "An Apartment to Lett for Military Gentlemen." This demonstrates how the Americans felt they would have been able to capture yet another British army in addition to the two the Congenital Army had already taken. At this point many Americans were on top of the world, in the sense that as thirteen “little, weak, and young” colonies, they had basically defeated the “big, scary wolf” a.k.a. Britain.

3. What effect(s) did this cartoon have on American History? What were the results of this issue being addressed?
This cartoon along with Benjamin Franklin’s cartoon “Join or Die”, represented the symbol of freedom for many revolutionary Americans. It was said, “That the snake is solitary, but rallies together for defense; it never strikes first but is an implacable opponent once aroused.” This cartoon helped boost the moral of the colonists in the last stages of the Revolution. Though the cartoon did not directly facilitate the winning of the Revolution against the British, it helped instill confidence in Americans.

LAD #2 – the Zenger Trial

1. Who was John Peter Zenger?
John Peter Zenger was a German immigrant who immigrated to New York in 1710. In 1733, he began publishing a newspaper, the New York Weekly Journal. In it, he expressed his views that the British government was unjust and corrupt. Zenger was vehemently opposed to the recent appointment of Governor William Cosby of the royal party and the changes he had made. Upon his appointment, Cosby had an inflamed disagreement with the Council of the colony over his salary. Since the Council refused to meet his demands, Cosby removed Chief Justice Lewis Morris, and replaced him with James Delancey of the royal party.

2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton’s defense.
Governor Cosby condemned John Peter Zenger’s newspaper as “divers, scandalous, virulent, false, and seditious reflections.” He was arrested on November 17, 1734 and after eight long months in prison he went to trial, defended by Philadelphia lawyer Andrew Hamilton. Hamilton told the jury and the judge that Zenger could only be truly guilty if what he published against the British government was truly false. The judge ordered the jury to find him guilty but ironically the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty.

3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
Zenger influenced the drafting of the Bill of Rights, specifically the First Amendment. Which protects the freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, “and of the press”. The Zenger trial also set a precedent, not allowing judges to be politically influenced. The Supreme Court Judges are appointed for life; therefore they cannot be politically influenced by elections. The Zenger Trial moreover affirmed the freedom of press in America.

4.What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
The John Peter Zenger trial had a lasting impression on American governmental institutions. Over 40 years later, while Congress was writing the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Zenger trial was still fresh in their minds. Today, America’s freedom of press and freedom to openly criticize the government without being jailed or fined, is due to the Zenger Trial. Today many people openly criticize President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. Over three hundred years ago, these critics would have been jailed for publishing demeaning statements about the government. Jails would be full of reporters, writers, and everyday people who disagreed with Bush’s beliefs and actions. The Zenger Trail provided that everyone and anyone can critique the government without being chastised.

LAD #1 - Mayflower Compact & Fundamental Orders of CT

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact?
The main objective of the Mayflower Compact was to establish civil government to insure order and proclaim the colonists' allegiance to the king. Concepts of a divine monarchy are present since the Mayflower Compact addresses the King James as the “Sovereign Lord King James”. There also the beginnings of a written form of a republic government since the settlers want to establish a “civil body”, instead of directing all power and decision making upon one person. The Mayflower Compact also united the settlers with an objective to create order.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect an attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
The Mayflower Compact reflects a combination of both the Old and New Worlds. In the pledge of alliance to the “Sovereign Lord King James”, illustrates the ample amount of influence on the new colonists. A strong faith in God also demonstrates ideals of religion from the Old World. The colonists also make it clear that life in the New World will be different from the Old World, since they want to essentially establish a republic government with a civil body who makes decisions.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
The Mayflower Compact was a more formal and general contract binding the colonists to work together for the better good of the colony. The Fundamental Orders of 1639 was much more specific. The Orders were the fundamental beginnings of a checks and balances system. It only allowed certain political offices to be held for a specific amount of time. The Fundamental Orders also provided the rules of society by decreeing how warrants would be given out and how courts would be regulated.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution?
A written constitution restricts the ability of one person or a group to withhold power from the people without them knowing. Putting the laws onto paper provided a reference for the colonists if they felt their rights were being violated. A written constitution guaranteed individual rights and demonstrates how the government will continue to ensure these rights. It also set up a type of voting system, which allowed all free men to vote offices to positions of government.

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 Fundamental Orders was a basic form of checks and balances which protected the people against an individual or group of people from taking over, and denying one their individual “fundamental” rights. It safeguarded against a person holding office for a long period of time, restricting their ability to pass multiple laws and rules that would impede the colonists’ freedom of certain undeniable rights.