Paul Cooney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American History
16 October 2006

LAD 8- Monroe Doctrine

In 1832 the Monroe Doctrine was released to congress, proclaiming the United States’ foreign policy. It expressed the opinion that the European powers should no longer peruse colonization of North America and Mexico, and if they did so, the U.S would view this as a hostile act of war. This also meant that the United States would remain neutral in European affairs such as wars. This was to be achieved by maintaining a “frank, firm, and manly policy” with the European nations. This could be viewed as isolationism, but it would seem as if following Washington’s course all along my have been the best thing for the country at that time.

Paul Cooney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American
October 10, 2006

LAD 7- Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address

Jefferson was very excited, and very humbled, to be taking the position of the President of the United States. After some thought about the task that lay before him, he realized that doing his job would depend on the use of the Constitution, which would provide him with the “resources of wisdom, of virtue, and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties.” Going along with Washington’s farewell address, Jefferson states that if there is “political intolerance,” then little had been achieved from the days of religious intolerance. To help with the process of political tolerance, he offers the words “difference of opinion is not a difference of principle,” in an attempt to convince people to unite. He then continues on to talk about the principles of the United State’s government, the same principles he says his administration will adhere to. Jefferson speaks of the civil over the military authority, the preservation of the General Government, and the “encouragement of agriculture,” which he supported strongly. Towards the end of the address, Thomas Jefferson states that his duty will be to the people’s peace and prosperity, and will retire when ever they see fit.

Paul Cooney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American
October 4, 2006

LAD #6- Washington’s Farewell Address 1796

In September of 1796, Washington published his Farewell Address in newspapers all over the developing nation. In the form of a written speech, Washington announces he will step down from the Presidential position, which set a precedent for the number of terms a President may hold office. Within the address, he highlights the main points of the developing political “landscape” as he views it. He sees an increasing amount of political factionalism, quickly sectioning the country off, dividing it politically. Washington thinks that for the well-being of the nation, the people must unite in order to preserve the country. Washington himself could have been categorized as a Federalist, going against the growing number of Republicans. The Republicans favored farmers over city people, and did not want manufacturing as the Federalists did. Washington saw this as the biggest problem that faced the new government, and warned against it in this address.
Going along with his Proclamation of Neutrality, Washington again warned against partnering with other nations, especially the super powers of Britain and France. The two developing political parties were inevitably going to side with either Britain or France, and in the end they sided with opposing nations. The Federalists favored very strong ties to the British were as the Republicans were more loyal to the treaty with France the United States had signed in 1778. Despite the many factions that had the potential for decaying the new nation, Washington was ever hopeful. He wanted to preserve “political prosperity” through morality and religion, which is understandable given the time period.

Paul Cooney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American
October 4, 2006

LAD #5- Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality

In April of 1793, George Washington issued a proclamation declaring the neutrality of the United States towards the war between France and Great Britain that began with the French Revolution. The document was purely a symbol of Washington’s opinions, as he thought not being involved in the Conflict would be the best course for the new nation. Some thought that the United States should aid France, just as France had aided them during the Revolutionary war. Others thought that the U.S should aid Great Britain, hoping to foster a strong relationship with the ultimate super power. The proclamation itself did not pass any laws restricting the aid of the countries involved.