Social Darwinism is a term used for various late nineteenth century ideologies which, while often contradictory, exploited ideas of survival of the fittest. Meaning if you're rich you're meant to be rich and have higher status because you're strong in society.
It is a belief, popular in the late Victorian era in England, America, and elsewhere, which states that the strongest or fittest should survive and flourish in society, while the weak and unfit should be allowed to die. The theory was chiefly expounded by Herbert Spencer, whose ethical philosophies always held an elitist view and received a boost from the application of Darwinian ideas such as adaptation and natural selection.
One quote from this is: "Those who are bound to solve the problems are the rich, comfortable, prosperous, virtuous, respectable, educated, and healthy; those whose right it is to set the problems are those who have been less fortunate or less successful n the struggle for existence." Meaning being poor and lower class sucks more than being rich and higher status.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Abraham Lincoln's Gettsburg Address
Lincoln effectively summed up the consequences of the war in ten sentences. The controversies that rule exact words and transcriptions merge in agreement of the main strain of thought. Lincoln stressed on the harmony between the early settlers and the Native Americans in the early years. He highlighted the fact that liberty and equality were the core components for the emancipation of America. Lincoln urged the common man and politician to consider the lives lost in the attempt to save the nation from colonization, and pay tribute to the unsung heroes. He emphasized on the fact that the Gettysburg Address may be forgotten in time, but not the soldiers who willingly laid down their lives. He urged the gathering to take up the cause and complete the task at hand, to usher in a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Abraham Lincoln was a profounder of peace and the end to the civil war. The importance of the Gettysburg Address sent the uniqueness of the nation's commitment to democracy like a shaft into the opposition. Even though the emphasis on equal justice, unfaltering resolution and the new-world definition of democracy took time to sink in, afterthought invited reconsideration and quick commendation of the truth and appeal in his words.
Lincoln had effectively made the people aware of their rights and declared the government answerable to the people. He redefined democracy as an independent offshoot of citizen will and not some property of the state legislatures. The political orator stylistically delivered the address to consistently initiate inquiry and political shift, even after his death. His belief in the power of a democratic form of government sparked numerous varying interpretations.
The Gettysburg Address can be now viewed on the south wall of the Lincoln Memorial. This Lincoln Address has shown an enduring manifestation in American culture. It is an inseparable part of numerous works in popular culture, designed for contemporary audiences. Martin Luther King Jr. referred to the political orator as 'a great American' and the Gettysburg address as 'a great beacon light and hope to millions. Democracies around the world have now adopted the definition of democracy from the very words of Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln was a profounder of peace and the end to the civil war. The importance of the Gettysburg Address sent the uniqueness of the nation's commitment to democracy like a shaft into the opposition. Even though the emphasis on equal justice, unfaltering resolution and the new-world definition of democracy took time to sink in, afterthought invited reconsideration and quick commendation of the truth and appeal in his words.
Lincoln had effectively made the people aware of their rights and declared the government answerable to the people. He redefined democracy as an independent offshoot of citizen will and not some property of the state legislatures. The political orator stylistically delivered the address to consistently initiate inquiry and political shift, even after his death. His belief in the power of a democratic form of government sparked numerous varying interpretations.
The Gettysburg Address can be now viewed on the south wall of the Lincoln Memorial. This Lincoln Address has shown an enduring manifestation in American culture. It is an inseparable part of numerous works in popular culture, designed for contemporary audiences. Martin Luther King Jr. referred to the political orator as 'a great American' and the Gettysburg address as 'a great beacon light and hope to millions. Democracies around the world have now adopted the definition of democracy from the very words of Abraham Lincoln.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Civil Disobedience (1848) by Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau's Civil Disobedience supports the need to prioritize one's conscience over the dictates of laws. It criticizes American social institutions and policies, most prominently slavery and the Mexican-American War.
Thoreau begins his essay by arguing that government rarely proves itself useful and that it derives its power from the majority because they are the strongest group, not because they hold the most legitimate viewpoint. He contends that people's first obligation is to do what they believe is right and not to follow the law dictated by the majority. When a government is unjust, people should refuse to follow the law and distance themselves from the government in general. A person is not obligated to devote his life to eliminating evils from the world, but he is obligated not to participate in such evils. This includes not being a member of an unjust institution (like the government). Thoreau further argues that the United States fits his criteria for an unjust government, given its support of slavery and its practice of aggressive war.
In short, Thoreau believes that the government is nothing but dirty, unjust people. He believes the government is trying to take over the country with high taxes and dictatorship.
Thoreau begins his essay by arguing that government rarely proves itself useful and that it derives its power from the majority because they are the strongest group, not because they hold the most legitimate viewpoint. He contends that people's first obligation is to do what they believe is right and not to follow the law dictated by the majority. When a government is unjust, people should refuse to follow the law and distance themselves from the government in general. A person is not obligated to devote his life to eliminating evils from the world, but he is obligated not to participate in such evils. This includes not being a member of an unjust institution (like the government). Thoreau further argues that the United States fits his criteria for an unjust government, given its support of slavery and its practice of aggressive war.
In short, Thoreau believes that the government is nothing but dirty, unjust people. He believes the government is trying to take over the country with high taxes and dictatorship.
John Marshall
John Marshall was born on September 24, 1755 at German town (now Midland) in what became Fauquier County, Virginia four years later. He served first as lieutenant, and after July, 1778, as captain in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. John Marshall spent the winter of 1777-1778 with the troops in Valley Forge.
He began his legal education by reading law books and by studying law in 1780 with George Wythe at the College of William and Mary to acquire a secure foundation in English common law. As an officer in the Continental Army, he served as a judge advocate in 1777 and 1778. Marshall was admitted to the bar in 1780 and steadily built a law practice. He represented Fauquier County in the General Assembly for one term and served on the Council of State from 1782 to 1784. Marshall represented Henrico County in the House of Delegates from 1784 to 1787, and in June of 1788 was a delegate to the state convention called to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Marshall was also a delegate to the 1829-1830 Virginia constitutional convention.
He began his legal education by reading law books and by studying law in 1780 with George Wythe at the College of William and Mary to acquire a secure foundation in English common law. As an officer in the Continental Army, he served as a judge advocate in 1777 and 1778. Marshall was admitted to the bar in 1780 and steadily built a law practice. He represented Fauquier County in the General Assembly for one term and served on the Council of State from 1782 to 1784. Marshall represented Henrico County in the House of Delegates from 1784 to 1787, and in June of 1788 was a delegate to the state convention called to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Marshall was also a delegate to the 1829-1830 Virginia constitutional convention.
Brown v. Board of Education
The Brown v. Board of Education is landmark case in United States Supreme Court history that changed the way of segregation towards public schools.
It started with a child walking miles everyday to school because the closest school to his/her house were only for white children. In the summer of 1950, the parents tried to enroll their children into the white elementary school but were turned down. The parents flied a lawsuit towards the Topeka elementary school for unfairness and mistreatment towards African American parents not allowing their children to gain the knowledge that they need.
In conclusion, the case was approved and allowed minorities to enter all public schools without racial discrimination.
It started with a child walking miles everyday to school because the closest school to his/her house were only for white children. In the summer of 1950, the parents tried to enroll their children into the white elementary school but were turned down. The parents flied a lawsuit towards the Topeka elementary school for unfairness and mistreatment towards African American parents not allowing their children to gain the knowledge that they need.
In conclusion, the case was approved and allowed minorities to enter all public schools without racial discrimination.
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