LAD #5

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Factions prove difficult to eliminate because of the nature of a faction. A faction consists of a group of people who share the same passions and interests and therefore create a majority or minority party that is differentiated from the entire governmental party. Henceforth factions can only really be eliminated if we eliminate rights that directly allow us to have these factions. One way would be to eliminate the power to essemble these factions and the other is to elicit conformity of ideas amongst citizens. Neither of these ways would be appropiate because they tug at what is fundamental of the United States government. While factions can create problems within the government, the problem that would be caused by overturning these factions would be far greater. The United States does not allow for liberties as primal as the ability to create factions to be taken away.
2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
While there is no way to entirely remove a faction, there are methods of maintaining them so they do not get out of hand. First of all if a faction is just consisted of a minority of people then that faction will be overrun by the majority anyway. These minority factions are accounted for by the majority vote rule. However when a faction encompasses a majority of citizens then the solution is more difficult. While the democratic system can combat the minority factions, it takes a republic system to counter the majority factions. The system of a republic creates spheres of government which can divide a faction. A republic creates a national arena for problems that are effecting the ciitzines in general, while a local or state government is able to combat the problems that effect those citizens in particular. This system also creates representatives that give a wider perspective to a group of people, rather than direct control by the factions. Factions impede on the government, but through careful maintaince they are able to be controlled.

LAD #4

1. Firstly I learned the manipulative ways which men such as Adams and Washington made themselves a vital part of history. Washington encouraged praising biographies about himself to be published. While Adams depicted himself in a appealing autobiography.
2. Next I did not realize that the war was already underway when Thomas Paine published the pamphlet Common Sense. I had thought that it was propaganda to provoke war, on the contrary the war had been going on for eight months already. In addition I had not considered that his objective would be to ensure that reconciliation with Great Britain would be a lasting project.
3. Also I did not realize to the extent with which Loyalists were being attacked in the South. I figured that the Loyalists would be left alone for the most part. However the article states that the violence in the South against the Loyalists actually had never been greater. Furthermore the Continental Army went out of their way to destroy any property of the Loyalists and even take their land when the War was over.
4. I was not aware the amount of death that occcured in captivity. The article states that 47% of all Continental Army solidiers taken into captivity died. This is a huge amount of people that died after they were captured, that just never get talked about in most history classes.
5. Finally I learned the role the civilians were subjected to during the War of Independence. I was not aware that there were raids of civilian houses and frequent Indian attacks. It seems that most lessons on the American Revolution barely talk about the effect that this war had on the civilians and more generally the actual war itself.

LAD #3

The Declaration of Independence is an important document in American history because it creates the foundations of the belief system in America. Overall the document acts as a notification to King George III. It first tells why the colonists feel they have the right to do this, then transitions into the wrongdoings of the king and then finally it adresses the emancipation of the colonies. The first section is characterized by democratic principles that the United States wishes to install in later years of government. These principles started by outlining the basic human rights, which all citizens should be guaranteed to benifit from." LIfe, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," said Thomas Jefferson are the main human rights that we should automatically obtain. In addition it states that if any of these human rights are being violated, the people have the right to overthrow the government. Following this section, came the list of wrongdoings done by the kings. This ranged from taxing to refusal to pass needed laws. The list of grievances could be chalked up to the fact that King George III was essentially acting as a dictator. The main issues the colonists had was that he was not enforcing necessary laws and enforcing many unnecessary laws. The king was potentially causing harm to their economic system, through him shutting off their ports. But more over was impeding on their system of self-government which they had basked in for many years. The conclusion of this document ends by requesting the colonies be completly free and independent states. It restates how the British has been misguiding and misusing the colonies and just states a clean break, giving the people of the colonies the power to make governmental decisions. The Declaration of Independence illustrates what it is to be American, which is why this document is so vital and eternal.

LAD #2

1. John Peter Zenger was a controversial journalist who was not afraid to speak his voice about the injustices in his time. Particullarly during the year of 1733, Zenger spoke out against the recently appointed governor William Cosby. Zenger illustrated Cosby's injust practices within the judicial system, and while these articles revealed truth, they also were highly offensive. As a result of these articles Cosby arrested Zenger and one of the most influential trials was soon to be established.
2. Alexander Hamilton was the attorney appointed to Zenger's trial. The case itself had controversial origins because Zenger had been arrested for basically offending Cosby, not for violating any real law. Hamilton illustrated that the only way Zenger could actually be charged was that his articles were false, which they were not. Zenger was merely profiting from his right to freedom of speech and press that came along with being a human being. This trial marked the official recognition and protection of basic human rights.
3.This case illustrated much of what it is to be American. With a revolution on the rise, the colonists recognized that defending their basic rights was a must in setting up any new form of government. The American government has clearly made mistakes in regard to its sovereign but one thing that America can be characterized as is the land of freedom. Also this trial sought to end the judicial prejudices that can sway results in favor of powerful and rich men. While equal oppurtunity may never fully exist, basic rights such as freedom of press ensure that the pursuit of happiness and success can always be available.
4. This trial has a lasting effect on society in regards to the subject of debate within this trial. Basic human rights have been denied or only half-heartidly given during many centuries and even this even can hold true today. This case proved that the subject of freedom of speech and press would be given to Americans, if they were ever able to break away from their mother country. In addition to its foundation for the freedom of press it also called out against a unjust judicial system. This influence would never be forgotten, that this journalist could inform the public of the truth of the judicial tyranny this country was facing, in a way it was a precedent to the system of checks and balances. While it instituted no new laws, it established America as having the potential to grow as a just and prosperous nation.

LAD #1

1. There are various crucial concepts embodied in the Mayflower Compact which began to develop the American nation. The fundamental concepts started with the actual reason for a departure from England; the stated reason was to advance the Christian faith and respect the king. However, the most important concept is the mention of democratic assemblies. Perhaps without even knowing it, these colonists gave America a chance at a democratic future by engraining free speech into their roots.
2. The Mayflower Compact can be seen as a stepping stone from the "Oldd" world and toward a brighter "New" world. The premise of the voyage dips into ideas of religious advancement and an attachment to the king. The passage clearly emphassizes the adoration of the king and identifies it as a crucial reason for even embarking on the journey. Further in the passage, it talks about " Body Politick" as a loosely democratic concept, aslo recognizing the need for seperate governmental meetings for the colonists. While this article reiterates there compliance with the British government, it also begins the "New" world idea of seperate governmental features.
3. The Fundamental Order differentiates from the Mayflower Compact through its emphasis on a seperation from the body of English government and foundation of colonial sovereign. The Fundamental Order is fundamentally an appeal for heightened power in the hands of the colonists. The attitude of the Mayflower Compact appears to have a deeper adoration and respect for the king, and while that is still illustrated inthe Fundamental Order, it recognizes a need for seperation and greater independence.
4. The colonists were motivated to take this approach through a variety of factors. Initially the colonists feared a chaotic uprising and watned to be able to manage their fellow colonists in a judicial manner. As time progressed the colonists recognized their want for a democratic foundation. While this was not the original motivating factor it clearly resulted in heightened democractic practices.
5. Through the laws that were implemented within the Fundamental Order, there are key signs that the colonists strongly were trying to protect themselves of a dictator type of governmental system. Many inferences of checks and balances have been identified in the rules established. The emphasis on election of Governor is large, also the emphasis with being able to report corrupt leaders is one way this document identifies the colonists fears. The democratic princibles that were initally luminated through this document recognize the abundant fear of a single leader.

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