Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

1. To what extent was Lincoln "uncompromising"?  To what extent was Thaddeus Stevens (leader of the Radical Republicans) "uncompromising"?  What were they willing to compromise on?  What were they not willing to compromise on?  Abraham Lincoln was uncompromisable keeping the Union and Constitution in place and unscathed. Thaddeus Stevens was uncompromising to the right of race equality in the United States. He wanted to even go further and push the right to vote and the right for African American political leaders. They were both willing to compromise their idea of political rights and fight for equality of all men in the United States. 

2. To what extent did the movie provide evidence of Lincoln's perspective as depicted in the Lincoln letters? The movie provided evidence that he wanted to keep the Union in working order and abolish slavery. The movie showed how he later thought that ending slavery would inevitably keep the Union in tact. 

3. Why did Lincoln believe the 13th Amendment was essential?  Lincoln believed the 13th Amendment was essential, because without the 13th Amendment the Union would fall to the Confederacy and slavery would never end. 

4. How did the film complicate the narrative that the North was against slavery and/or for racial equality, while the South was for slavery and against racial equality? The film complicates how the North was against slavery and the South was for slavery. This was because, the film shows many more people with slaves in the North than any in the South. There are slaves or very low paid servants seen working in the houses (which were against slavery) these men and women were never labeled as a free man or slave but appeared to be slaves.

5. For what reasons did people seem to resist the ending of slavery?  Did the film depict this as a matter of concern for property rights, or something else?  Some resisted the ending of slavery, because their farm depended on slaves to keep it maintained. Without slavery they would have to pay workers to keep up with the plantations. Owners of slaves had depended on these men and women for daily care. Some feared how life would be for those who were freed. The film also showed how many people were worried what would happen when African-Americans had political power. 

Soldiers Civil War Letters

Soldiers Civil War Letters

Letter #1: 

“Tis hard to see the mighty prancing war horse, trampling the dying and dead beneath their merciless feet. No dear wife, near to speak a word of comfort. No living sister or Mother to administer relief in that hour the most sad in the history of humanity. O the humanity. O the horrors of war. Truly it may be considered the most cruel and awful scourge which can befall a nation. Heaven grant there may be an end soon.” 

(Samuel D. Lougheed, October 7, 1862)

This letter is written by a Union solider named Samuel D. Lougheed on October 7, 1862  to his wife. In this letter he says he hopes the war will soon come to an end. The death of a fellow solider is hard to watch with his own eyes. He also describes that death of many is one of the most unpleasant things of war. 

Letter #2:

"The battle has been raging all day in the distance and I am unable to ascertain whether any thing has been gained or not. O how I long for this war to end. How I long for peace. How will I hail the day when I return to the bosom of my family. My Dear I hope to see you." (Samuel D. Lougheed, October 7, 1862)

This letter is written by a Union soldiers named Samuel D. Laugheed on April 30, 1863 to his wife. In this letter he is describing the war is bad for both sides. He hopes it will end soon. He is exhausted and is homesick. 

Letter #3:

“We have just returned from a trip into East Tenn where we got big amounts of everything to eat and everything we eat is so good to me as I had been starved out so long on some bread & beef, all that we got while we were here besieging Chattanooga. up there we got sweet and Irish potatoes, chickens, molassas, wheat bread and everything that was good for a poor soldier. Oh, how I do wish that I could be at home now, for it is getting late in the evening and I have had nothing to eat since breakfast and no telling when we will get rations for our rations are out, since we left our ration wagons behind in coming here to this place, for I know you have all had a good & plentiful dinner. I know you will say poor John, but this is only a chapter in military service which we often read, but I am content and will be more so when we get rations. The independence of the bounty is what I want and I am I am willing to suffer for something to eat many, many days if it will only send me to my dear parents, a full and independent boy.

The enemy still holds their position in Chattanooga and our lines drawn up close around the place. We are now on the top of Lookout Mountain overlooking the town. We have a fine view of our entire line and also of theirs. It is said that we can see into five different states from our position. It is very cold up here, as cold as it is where you are in mid-winter. You must excuse this exceedingly bad letter as I have written in great haste. My love to you and all. Write when you can and a long letter as I am very anxious to hear from you.” (John H. Sweet, 1863)

This letter is written by a Confederate solider named John H. Sweet in November 1863. In the letter he describes he was more concerned in how his home and family was doing. He says the war is bad, but there was no physical evidence of that showed he was worried. He was mostly fighting for his American liberties. 

Letter #4:

“Dear Mother and family.

I will take the pensil to let you know we are all well. At present hoping this will find you in the same. we let White Hall Station on Thursday about 4 Clock in the afternoon and got into Washington about 4 oclock in the morning on Friday whitch maid about 12 hours on the way, we then stay ther untill yesterday when we had orders to march about 6.5 miles and when I heard this I went to the head doctor ast him what I would do for I know that I could not carry my knapsack, so he told me that I would have to stay hear and so all them that could not stand the march was sent to the hospitle. Ther was 10 out of our Companny and that was myself and a nother young man, we did not hear the name of the place that they wer going to, but both James and Bob said that they would wright as soon as they wer sitteled that is they would wright home to you, ther is abut 50 sick and wounded in the department that I am in, I think that I will not be in hear very long, for I will try and get eather home or get to my Regiment for I don't like this very well, it is not because I am not treated well for it is six times better than I expected but I canot be contented a way from my companny, my arm is about the same, I wright this mearley to let you know something about myselve for I canot say anything about the others now but I will have to stope so no more at present but reman your son and Brother.”

(Francis M. Russell)

This letter is written by a Union solider named Francis M. Russel on December 14, 1862 to his mother and family. This Union soldier is injured. He has no money and is alone in a department full of very ill people. He also tells his mother and family that he is very homesick. 

Letter #5:

“Dear Bro. Henry:

You are probably going to church, as it is about 9 o’clock …

I saw Dewitt Perine yesterday … He was in fight at Gettysburgh. Says it was the hardest he ever saw. Lost 26 men in his Battery “B”. I suppose you have heard that Otis Billings was killed and buried on the battle ground. We had in our Regt. only 3 killed and 3 wounded. Capt. Weir of Hebron Co. was shot in leg. Had to be amputated. The Rebels lost a good many men there at Gettysburgh. I was over the battlefield the 4th. Our men were burying the dead, put 15 or 20 in one grave (or rather hole). Our men were buried separately, and head boards put up with names on.

In the afternoon of the 4th we had a hard thunder storm. I put on my overcoat and sat with my back to a tree and had to just “grin and bear it” for 3 hours. I did not get wet through as those did who had no overcoats to put on. …”

(William Clark McLean, 1863)

This letter is written by a Union solider named  William Clark McLean on July 12, 1863 to his brother named Henry. He writes his brother to inform his brother of the men they have lost in battle. In his letter he does not indicate any passion or emotion toward the wars. He also shows how he see himself as fortunate to have a raincoat in the rain durning the war. 

These letters are of five separate mailing occasions in the Civil War between 1862-1863. All of these letters written in the Civil War were written by soldiers. Four of the letters were from Union soldiers and one was from a Confederate solider. In all of these letters from both sides they go into detail about the casualty and homesickness. Two of the these letters were from the same man named Samuel D. Laugheed reaching out to his wife. One could ask themselves why would the author of these letters durning such a horrific time, be able to write a proper salutation and letter to their families durning the war? These letters all signify five lost souls in war, whom all miss their home and their loved ones.

Resources:

http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/mssc/cwletters/index.html

https://www.americancivilwar.com/kids_zone/soldiers_letters_civil_war.html

http://content.lib.washington.edu/civilwarweb/index.html

13th Amendment

13 Amendment

      The 13 Amendment abolished slavery in the United States of America. The 13th Amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865.  This gave the African-American slaves in America a new start and freedom from slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation pushed for slaves to become free and and give them rights and equality after slavery for the Union States. The Emancipation Proclamation led to the push of the 13th Amendment for the rest of the country.

13th Amendment ratified on December 6, 1865 

Uncle Abe's Valentine, Thomas Nest Newspaper, 1865

http://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/cartoon-corner/emancipation-and-slavery/uncle-abes-valentine/

https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=40

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/thirteenth-amendment

US History - Flag Research

United States Flag

1. ORIGIN: When and where does the US flag originate? Durning my research of when and where the first American flag was originally from. Many Historians believe that Betsy Ross was the creator of the American flag with the thirteen original colonies. Other historians believe Francis Hopkins was the original creator of the flag. The creation of the flag has no official origins of who made it and where. The year the flag was made was in 1776, and it included the thirteen original colonies. I believe that Betsy Ross was the true creator of the original American flag. 

2. EVOLUTION: When and why has it evolved? As I was researching the evolution of the flag, I discover the flag has been changed 27 times ranging from 1776 to present day. The flag has had more stars added to it every time, starting from 13 to 50. 


3. DESIGN ELEMENTS / CHOICES: What factors have shaped the look of the flag, including the shapes, colors, and arrangements of stars, stripes, red, white blue, etc.?  Is there a history and purpose to these graphic design choices? There are many representations of the USA in the flag itself. The flags stars represents the 50 states. The 13 stripes are represented by the 13 original colonies that were first established in the United States. I also found durning my research that the color of the flag has a significant meaning. The color blue found on the flag represents justice, the color white represents purity, and the color red represents valor.

4. For what is the flag a symbol?  Does consensus about the meaning of the flag appear to be fairly widespread?  How can you tell? Does it seem to be widely understood as a positive symbol of national unity? The United States flag is a symbol of freedom in the United States.  Yes, the flag's symbolism of freedom is seen throughout the United States. The flag can be seen in movies, song, and book representing freedom and bravery. 

5. What are the flag’s nicknames?  What can you learn about where those nicknames originate in our culture? The flag has many nicknames such as "Old Glory" and "The Stars and Stripes". These nicknames originated from people who were brave and showed valor in the society.
  
6. What can you learn about the flag in popular music?  In both songs "Where were you World Stopped Turning" by Alan Jackson and "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood show American patriotism toward the flag. In both songs the Flag represents Freedom in the United States. 

7. HABITS/USE:  What evidence suggests that the flag is generally understood, within our culture, as something that is worthy of respect and more careful treatment than you might otherwise provide to a piece of fabric? Our culture understand the how to respect the flag, by not letting it touch the ground and having a light on it if it flies at night. 

8. CONTROVERSY:  Can you find any evidence to suggest that the flag itself is controversial?  Or do there just seem to be ways of using it that are controversial? The American flag has created controversial issues over America, such as race equality. This has been seen in the NFL, by players sitting down durning the national anthem. Protesting the unfair rights and liberties of equality.  

Neil Armstrong planting American Flag in the moon durning Apollo Mission

Sources:

US Flag Supply, The History of the American Flag This website is where if found out the history and creation of the American Flag. It also aided my research to help find who created the American flag and when. 

History Channel, The Origins of the American Flag  This website helped me find out more information on the origin of the American flag. 

US Flag, "Old Glory" This website helped me find more information on the nicknames and representing on the flag.

Business Insider, The American Flag on the Moon, This was the website I used to get my image of Neil Armstrong planting the flag into the moon. 

Annotations

What is the Definition of an Annotation? 

• to make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comment; to make or furnish annotations for (something, such as a literary work or subject); a note added by way of comment or explanation (Merriam-Webster)
• to add notes or remarks on a piece of writing (Cambridge Dictionary)
• Annotating is any action that deliberately interacts with a text to enhance the reader's understanding of, recall of, and reaction to the text. (Writers' Center)

Annotating a source

Introduction to the Text

1. The text is found in chapter 12 of the book. The page the Republican Party is founded on is 385.

2. The heading that the Republican Party is found on is called: “The End of the Second Party System, 1850 - 1858”. The subheading is the “Emergence of the Republican Party”.

3. The text discusses how the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 led to change of the whole political system and lead to the second political party. The passage also discuses the anti-slavery movement that lead to creation of the second party. 

4. I did not know that the Free Soil of America people joined with the Republicans to form the Republican Party. 

5. Annotate poster

6. History Textbook
7.

Republican Party Founded in 1854

8.  The purpose of today's exercise was to learn how to use our textbook and find information through the index.