Fighting for Rights

Haymarket Square Massacre

The Haymarket Square Massacre occurred in Chicago Illinois in 1886. It involved workers who wanted to shorten their hours in the work place. Many were working 8 hours a day and they wanted to change that. The workers went on strike and caused a lot of problems, shooting cops, and causing chaos. This made the labor union very upset.

Women's Rights

At one time, women were told what to do in every aspect of their lives. They cooked, cleaned, and cared for their husband and children. In 1920, the 19the Amendment was passed which gave women the right to vote. While this was a big movement in the progress of women's rights, did it really equalize women and men? Does voting make people equal? In a way yes, because it gives everyone the right to put out their own opinion and the chance to affect the governments decision.

I Have A Dream Speech

Martin Luther King's 'I Have A Dream Speech' is an incredibly influential speech in our history. It gave African Americans hope for the future. There were thousands of people crowded around Washington, black and white, supporting him and the goals of his speech. I think his speech had influenced more than people of his time, but of people today as well. The goals of his speech were to rid the people of racial inequality and discrimination. He was a very powerful speaker.

Observations From Class

1. What is the worth of a human being?

I think that every person in the world is important, and worth is not the right word. I think that what a person does throughout their life can determine their imprint on the human race and earth. I think that people who have contributed to society in a positive way and helped the progress of our society have a greater impact and will be remembered more than someone who doesn't contribute to society in any way. I feel like the people who have helped us evolve in the way of science and the universe have more of a benefit to us than movie stars.
America determines a persons worth by placing people who do notable things on a stand where they can be looked up at as role models. They get media attention for whatever they do, be it good or bad. In America, I feel like a person's worth is based on the amount of media attention they receive, there is a lot of money involved.

2. Ethnic Minority Groups

American Indians, Caucasians, Hispanics, African Americans, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Caribbean, Pakistani

3. Ethnicity Graph

https://www.edsource.org/assets/images/Data-Charts/AdminEthnicity11_07.gif

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

This paper is the foundation of our government and it argues for American Independence. There is a lot of general argument about religion and government but then transform into a more specific argument on the colonial dilemma.

Paine talks about 1. Government (protects us) vs. Society (people coming together). He hypothetically discusses a situation involving a small group of people on an island completely cut off from society and how the group creates laws and such. Represents that people who make the laws will be more likely to abide by them and be much happier if they create them. Representation is the way to go. Paine obviously dislikes the British system because of its complexity and contradictions. He also talks about religion.

I think this is an important document, and it really gave us a lot of help with out government and how it is the way it is today.

Declaration of Independence: Locke's Influence on Jefferson

Was Thomas Jefferson influenced by John Locke?

Yes, I believe Thomas Jefferson was influenced by John Locke because 1. Protection from the government. 2. There is an agreement between the two that the people have the power to rebel if the government does not represent them correctly. Because these ideas correspond with each other it is very likely that Jefferson read Locke and was influenced y him when writing the Declaration of Independence.

There are some similarities between the two in their writing that bring across the same idea. While Locke said, "no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions" Jefferson tweaked into something more appropriate for the Declaration, transforming it to "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."

There are many similarities between John Locke and Thomas Jefferson and I think it is clear that Locke influenced Jefferson.

John Locke's Second Treatise, of Civil Government

I think that Locke's Second Treatise of Government is an important part of America's politics, and has been very influential throughout the history of United States politics. His writing is very democratic.

He pretty much decides to create laws in order to keep morality in society. The people give up some natural rights in order to enter into a or social compact. In this society Locke basically says that people have to submit their natural freedoms to the common laws and then if they do that they get government protection. Allows people to take control if the government doesn't represent the people correctly. Gives the people some authority and the right to take control if they are not treated right.

Locke tries to argue against unjust governments. I find Locke kind of negative because he thinks that all people are bad, he gives no chance to let people be wholly good. Locke ideas are kind of a forceful way to make people respect the law but in fear. He thinks that government is only necessary because there are bad people. He also notes that there must be a higher power over everything.