In the case of Scott vs Sanford, Chief Justice Roger Taney made two important court decisions that would anger abolitionists and anti-slavery activists across the nation. He stated that Negroes did not receive the full benefits of the Constitution as they had come from another country as slaves. And, thereby could not sue in a federal court. Second, Roger Taney declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, saying if a citizen takes his slaves into a free land, he cannot have them removed as that would be denying that citizen his property. Taney finished with crushing Scott's last hope for freedom by saying that if a slave runs away to a free state it is based on the laws of that state whether or not to send him back. The overall outcome of this case was that the court was in favor of Sanford and the Missouri Compromise was declared unconstitutional.
Frederick Douglas states in his speech that Americans celebrating the 4th of July is absurdity, since the celebration is all about being free from tyranny while whites still hold power over black slaves. He also states that as long as the blacks are property of the whites, America will continue making a mockery of itself as a country who lives a lie, claiming freedom for all but still supporting slavery. Douglass concludes by saying that at the very least black's must be made equals as they have carried on for decades doing the jobs as white men have while still having to prove their equality.
In Sojourner Truth's Ain't I A Woman Speech, she keeps herself relaxed while still making her case for women's and negros' rights. She states that she can do just about anything as well as a man but is still not given the same treatment, while also doing things men do not do, such as childbirth and child rearing. She dismisses all the reasons she has been told as to her why women are not or cannot be equal. She defeats each argument, whether religion or reason with logic and calls those who refuse to accept equality for all ignorant, racist, and even sexist.
In his Gettysburg address, President Lincoln reminds the troops of what they are fighting for: a single unified nation. He goes on to state that there is no commemoration possible that will honor what those fighting have died for. This address is the best possible way to commemorate those already fallen while convincing the remaining others that the outcome will remain worth the effort. Also, that their victory will signal a return of their nation to what was envisioned by the founding fathers and the nation will return to its former glory, now in danger of being lost in this vicious war.
In his First Inaugural Address, Lincoln stated that he never did or would intend to do anything about the slavery issue in the south. He did not view it as his duty as president to deal with the problem. He believed it was Congress' duty as the representatives of the nation, and that they should decide whether or not to outlaw slavery. President Lincoln did make another comment on the issue, saying that many states were in favor of the fugitive slave law even though there was still some controversy on the issue of whether the duty of capturing them resided with the federal or state government. He stresses in this Address that his major goal as president would be preserving the union of the nation and that he will carry out that duty as he sees fit, using force only when required. He then goes on to state that his administration will strive to pass or modify laws that will try to cede some provisions to the minority opinion as well, even though (he says) no law can please every individual. This is the case with the slavery issue where some states support abolition of the slaves and others do not. He closes by urging the nation to think hard on the slavery issue, reminding them that it was even before the constitution the nation was held together only by unity and even now, without they will be destroyed. He finishes by stating that he will neither 'condemn nor condone' their actions towards each other as long as it is within his power to "preserve, protect, and defend" the nation from itself.
John Calhoun's speech focuses on how at the beginning of the creation of the constitution and the three-fifths compromise,the representation between the North and South was balanced in government. Since then, he states that the North has gained the upper hand in congress through use of taxes more heavily taxing the South. He also mentions the acquisition of territories desired by the North as free, and the arrival of new states from areas like the Oregon territory, Minnesota, and Mexican territories which. The problem with these territories is that if labeled free states, they will decrease the southern say in goverment allowing them only 25%t of the overall Congress. Calhoun continues on to talk about the new states and how they are not offered the possibility of joining the southern states in their induction into the union. He is now accusing the North of trying to weaken the southern states. Calhoun mentions the import tariffs imposed on the southern states by the north using it to further expand their infrastructure. The last issue Calhoun brings up in his speech is the slavery issue. He also talks about the growing abolitionist movement which he says is the major source for a poor relations between the two sections of the country. He says the issue may be "forcing the south to choose between abolition and secession". The more likely outcome would be secession (as we will soon see in the Civil War) as the southern economy depends heavily on slave labor. Calhoun believes the only way to avoid secession is if the stronger, richer, northern states drop the slavery issue and allow the southern states their space to develop. This meant the southern stattes would get to receive territories, fewer taxes and escaped slaves had to be returned. He says the meeting of the demands is the only way to avoid further conflict between the two. Calhoun's speech clearly reflects the growing sectionalism in the U.S. which will be a main reason for conflict between the two sections, and eventually leading into the Civil War.
In order to inform people that the actions of the Mexican government had initiated a war with Mexico, President Polk addressed Congress. This conflict came up when President Polk dispatched an American envoy to Mexico to resolve disputes that had existed between them for some time. One of the most important was the mistreatment of settlers on the border. Unfortunately, General Herrera was thrown out just as the envoy reached Vera Cruz. The government refused to recognize the envoy's duties and threw them out of the country. The Mexican government also did more than that. Things such as engaging in hostilities with local troops over border issues and the annexation of Texas which Mexico viewed as their territory. Even though, Texas had established independence before being annexed in 1836. The issues brought up to the Americans gave Polk the justification he needed to go to war with Mexico resulting in the Mexican-American War.
The Seneca Falls Convention created the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions in order to express womens' opinions that as women, they were being treated as second class citizens in a country where everybody was supposed to be equal. The Declaration of Sentiments and Resoulutions paraphrased the Declaration of Independence and modified it into the new document based on what the people there felt the Declaration of Independence had failed to do: uphold women's rights, making them subservient to men in a society where equality was to be enjoyed by all. The document lists grievances made upon women by men such as denial of property rights, laws which she has had no part in creating but is forced to follow, and general denial of womens' rights in marriage. The document also states resolutions to the grievances which they will pursue using all the resources within their power to see that the resolutions listed are to become reality within society.
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