Lincoln Questions

A scene from the 2012 movie, Lincoln. Here Lincoln expresses how important passing the 13th amendment will be and what they need to do in order to make it happen.  

1. Lincoln was uncompromising in his views of what it was going to take to end the war and abolish slavery. Though the people around him might not have had faith in passing the 13th amendment, Lincoln continuously put energy into it, because he knew what it was going to take to pass it. Thaddeus Stevens was uncompromising in his views towards slavery. He wanted it abolished and wanted the 13th amendment to pass. Stevens compromised through expressing his views towards slavery while taking the floor he said no more than, "equality before the law" for all.  
2. Letters two and three that we looked at in class, parallel with Lincoln's views of slavery in the movie. Letters two and tree were written during his presidency, at that time Lincoln's priorities were saving the Union and abolishing slavery. His need to end the war is seen as his very first priority and this is apparent in the movie. I think his second view of abolishing slavery is apparent at the beginning of the movie but is becoming more apparent as events such as talking with Thaddeus Stevens occur. His conversation that he has on the porch with Elizabeth Keckley might be an event that slightly encourages his views to abolish slavery as well.   
3. The 13th amendment was so essential because he believed it would end the war and abolish slavery.  
4. The movie complicated the narrative between the north and south's views by focusing on the political side of things and showing some Republicans that wanted the 13th amendment to pass and some Democrats that were being encouraged to change their vote to pro-13th amendment. 
5. White people did not want African Americans to have freedom. They were concerned that African Americans would be allowed to have a say in the government and vote. In many of the Democrat's eyes, Africans were seen as the inferior race, therefore they did not see it morally right to allow African Americans freedom. The film depicted the matter of concern for property rights as an additional reason for resistance to the end of slavery. 

Civil War Letters Collection

The letter above was written by Lyman Whitney Strong to his son Arthur Tappan Strong, a Union Soldier, on September 7, 1861. In this short letter, Arthur's father expresses his thought on his son's interest in joining the army. He is proud to see his Arthur's patriotism but does not give his consent because he believes Arthur is young. Ultimately Arthur joins against his parent's wishes.

This letter was written to President Abraham Lincon from Arthur Tappan Strong in 1862. Arthur expresses his concerns that the secessionists will succeed in dividing the Union. He recognizes that becoming a Union did not come free, there were blood and tears shed, therefore why would one want to split the Union. He says, "[...] for I could not breathe with traitors nor turn my face to the sun nor dwell in the land of the living when the states are no longer won."  Through this, Arthur tells how he could not fathom living where the states are divided or not fought to be united.

This letter was written by Lyman Whitney Strong to his son Arthur Tappan Strong on January 18, 1862. His father's tone in this letter is concerned, he has written to Arthur twice before this letter and has not heard back from him. Arthur's father tries to make sense of what is happening on the front through the newspaper but wants to hear it from his son. His father also seems proud and in awe of what he is experiencing, along with astonishment that he is still alive. He is also concerned about Arthur's well being and mental health, he encourages him to stick to his roots even if it is difficult. His father is afraid he is losing heart and emotion, he says "My dear boy, will you allow me to talk to your heart a little bit." His father is almost fighting his own fight with the feeling of pride and worries.

The letter above was written to Arthur Tappan Strong from his friend Robert on February 9, 1862. In this letter, Robert simply updates Arthur about what is happening back in Seville, Ohio, Arthur's home town. He talks about the weather, what news they have received from the war, and comments on his bravery. Arthur is encouraged by his friend to keep on fighting until the end, but warning him about how the war is really playing out. At this point in time, the Union has a greater loss than the Confederacy and it looks like the war is not ending anytime soon.

This letter was written by Lyman Whitney Strong Jr. to his brother Arthur Tappan Strong on February 18, 1862. Arthur's younger brother had some spare time to write this letter to tell Arthur of the good news form the war. Lyman says, "It was that Front Dolanson was taken by troops, 15,000 rebels taken prisoners, 10,000 killed and wounded and 5,000 escaped. They fired cannons in the night to celebrate the good news. His brother goes on to update Arthur on what is happening at home and at school.

This collection of letters written and received by Arthur Tappan Strong covers the wide verity of letters a soldier may have received during the war. From considering joining the war, receiving support from friends and family while at war, to voicing his opinions on what he was fighting for, Arthur's letters display both his and his communities' view of the war within a two year period. Sprinkle throughout each of the letters, patriotism is present. Although the first letter, written by Arthur's father, is short he is pleased with his son's willingness to get involved in the war although he also expresses concerns about the safety of his eldest son. The collection of letters also displays what a sense of community can do for an individual. Arthur was constantly reminded by his friends and family to keep fighting and to stay grounded in his roots and values. How can you encourage others in your community to speak their truth? and Will you support them in their truth?   

The Thirteenth Amendment

The 13th Amendment states that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." It was ratified on December 6, 1865.

The 13th amendment was a follow-up amendment to The Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery. It only applied to the states that were not already under Union control. Lincoln realized that the Emancipation Proclamation would have to be followed up by an amendment to completely abolish slavery in the United States.

13th Amendment to the U.S Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865) From this source I learned what the 13th Amendment had done that the Emancipation Proclamation did not

13th Amendment, History.com. This website confirmed the information I had previously researched. It also provided me with the date it was ratified.

13th Amendment to the U.S Constitution, Primary Documents in American History This website told me what the 13th Amendment stated

13th Amendment Political Cartoon

Flag Research

The US flag is mentioned in various movies, for example, Captain America. Here the stars and stripes are clearly referenced, but also Captain America's character reflects a true American superhero  

1. ORIGIN: When and where does the US flag originate?
1. I learned that Betsy Ross was the upholsterer who made the first flag, but who designed it first is ultimately unknown. It had been said that Francis Hopkinson was the first to design the flag because of a bill that was submitted to Congress by him that said for designing the flag. This evidence suggests that he designed it, but there is no picture, written description, or a sketch of the flag. The "first" flag was made in Philidelphia in 1776. 
2. EVOLUTION: When and why has it evolved? Note eras of significant and permanent changes. Note the lack of any big change, if you find that's the case.
1. I learned that the "new" American flag came about June 14, 1777, when Congress passed the first three major flag acts. This flag had 13 alternating red and white stripes with 13 stars on a blue field. There were no specifications on which way the stripes should be placed, horizontal or vertical, where the field was to be placed, what pattern the stars were to be arranged, and how many points the stars had. The star pattern was not specified until 1912. In 1792 two new states were added and it raised questions about the flag and what to do, thus the second flag act was passed. The act stated that for each new state another stripe and star would be added. The flag with 15 stars and stripes was known as The Star Spangled Banner. After 1812 more states were being added, which meant more stars and stripes. In 1818 Congress passed the third major flag act. It stated that the design of the flag would revert back to the 13 alternating stripes but continue to add one star for each new state. In 1912 President Taft established the star pattern we know today.
3. DESIGN ELEMENTS / CHOICES: What factors have shaped the look of the flag, including the shape, colors, and arrangements of stars, stripes, red, white, blue, etc.? Is there a history and purpose to these graphic design choices.
1. I leared when George Washington left the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, he took with him "The Continental" which had 13 alternating red and white stripes, which signified the 13 colonies. This flag did not have the stars, instead, it had the Union Jack. This flag meant that we were fighting for the 13 united colonies under Britain Rule. The flag made in June of 1777 had 13 alternating stripes and 13 stars. Though many of the other factors like the arrangments of the stars, how many points on the stars, and how the flag should be displayed were still unknown. The first use of the star pattern found on the flag today was from the Washington's Headquarters Flag. The first flag has been referred to as "The Betsy Ross", the star pattern has been referred to as the Betsy Ross Pattern, The Philadelphia Pattern, and The Single Wreath Pattern. The blue field has been referred to as the field, the union, and the canton. 
4. MEANING: 
1. For what is the flag a symbol? Does consensus about the meaning of the flag appears to be fairly widespread? How can you tell? Does it seem to be widely understood as a positive symbol of national unity?
1. The flag is a symbol of the United States' democracy, justice, and freedom. It also commemorates those who have sacrificed their lives to defend the United States of America. I found overall that the flag appears to be understood as a positive symbol. I even found a website from the National Museum of American History that explained a project called the "Share Your Story", where people have stated what the flag means to them, whether it be a sing of freedom, loyalty, or pride. 
2. What are the flag's nicknames? What can you learn about where those nicknames originate in our culture?
1. I found that the flag has been known by multiple names, "Old Glory", "The Star-Spangled Banner", and "The Stars and Stripes". The flag with 15 stars and stripes was known as The Star Spangled Banner. This flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Old Glory was the US flag of sea captain William Driver. This flag has become a great symbol of Union loyalty.
3. What can you learn about the flag in popular music? Consider songs, genres, album covers, and lyrics.
1. According to my research country has been seen as one of the most patriotic genres of music. Many songs reference the flag or have lyrics that are about America, the troops that have fought/are fighting, and about the stars and stripes.
5. 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?
1. While I was researching I found that the flag in many cases represents patriotism which can be seen in various war movies in their covers like in Patton 1970, in art such as the painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, and obviously flagpoles notably the flagpole of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. The flag is seen through culture in various forms, but ultimately the meaning is the same no matter where you see it.
6. 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? 
1. For the most part, I found that the flag is respected and used for "good". There are ways that people abused the flag such as burning, dragging, cutting, spitting, and sometimes displaying the flag in the wrong fashion. All these things done to a flag can be seen as disrespectful, but sometimes people abuse the flag in protest against something.   

History of the American Flag written by Terry Ruggles This website cleared up some of the "myths" that have come with the flag, like Did Betsy Ross truly design the first flag? It provided me information of where the different parts of the flag are said to have originated from.
The Mysterious Origins of the American Flag This website told me the story of how the flag, with its stars and stripes, came to be. It confirmed the information that I had researched previously.
State Symbols USA, The Flag of the USA This website simply named names that the US flag is referred to. It also explains the symbolism of the stars, stripes, and colors.
What the American Flag Means to You by Dana Allen-Greil, from the National Museum of American History This website gave me an insight of what people believe the flag means, and what it means to them.
How the Flag Came to be Called Old Glory, from Smithsonian.com This website educated me on one of the names the flag has been referred to, Old Glory. It told me the history of the Old Glory flag owned by William Driver.
The American Flag in Popular Culture This website touched on the flag in relationship to culture. It pointed out movies references, statues, and art.
Country songs Honoring the Flag This website talked about five countries songs that reference the flag. It showed me that country is one of the most patriotic genres of music.

Case Study: Sources Use and Citation

Michael Bess, the author of Choices Under Fire Moral Dimensions of World War II

1. The standards Bess include are the Author's name, the title of the book, the publisher, the date of publication, and a page number in the notes. The first time he uses a source he cites all the information. The second time he cites the same source he eliminates the publisher and the date of publication. The third time he uses Ibid, if the source is directly below the already cited Author and title.
2. The annotated notes can include additional information or information from primary sources.
3. Notes without page numbers are referencing a whole source, like a book, and not a specific page. The reason he uses many notes instead of one is that he could be dealing with multiple sources from the same author.
4. We are told the title and the authors of some of the sources but without the bibliography, we would not know specific pages that he referenced.
5. He integrates primary and secondary sources into creating an individual argument.

Introducton to the text: America's History 9th edition (Iroquois Confederacy extension)

The Iroquois Confederacy was based upon the condolence rituals that Hiawatha, a Mohawk man, that he had learned through an encounter with spiritual grief.  These rituals determined the leaders of the Confederacy.

1. The Iroquois Confederacy is mentioned in chapter 1  on pages 13-14. They are also briefly mentioned in chapter 3 on page 78, and chapter 4 on page 129.
2. In chapter one of the textbook, it is under the heading of Chiefdoms and Confederacies, and subheading of Eastern Woodlands.
3. The textbook uses the Iroquois Confederacy as an example of a group of Native Americans whos leader is not a single chief, like many Native American groups, but a council of chiefs. The textbook also mentions that the Confederacy was one of the most powerful Native American groups in the Northeast.
4. The textbook clearly specifies that the Confederacy was run by councils of sachems, leaders. This information was difficult to understand while researching it for the first time. 
5. (reference poster)
6. Link to America's History 9th Edition 
7. image
8. The research I did, using the textbook helped me get familiarized with the textbook and helped me broaden my knowledge of the Iroquois Confederacy.