Margaret Fuller: American Transcendentalist and Feminist

Margaret Fuller to many America's first true feminist or at least holds a distinctive place in the cultural life of the American Renaissance: a time of reform. Her long career lines as literary critic, editor, journalist, teacher, and political activist resulted ultimately into a turned revolutionary. She was charismatic and a spellbinding conversationalist who attracted not only the wives of prominent citizens, but also other sympathetic social reformers. Fuller was a outside their "sphere" thinker with intoxicating proposition on the issues and views Transcendentalist and equality. After The Dial  ceased publication in 1844, Fuller was to relocate to that New York City and to serve as literary and cultural critic for the paper: the New York Tribune. Where she underwent a time of personal growth with  increased awareness of urban poverty and strengthened her commitment to social justice and to the causes that concerned her: prison reform, Abolitionism, Women's Suffrage, and educational and political equality for minorities. Margaret Fuller was a woman of many causes and as said by Higginson, “many women in one.”

Margaret Fuller was born on May 23, 1810 in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts and received an intense education from her father Timothy Fuller. He taught her Greek and Latin at a very early age. With his prominent role a Lawyer and later role as Congressman he provided Margaret Fuller with a fine education. However her father's death brought financial problems for the family, and she became responsible for the education of her younger siblings. She taught school at Bronson Alcott's Temple School and the Green Street School in Providence for two years; in this of this also had time to write. In 1839 she she established formal conversations on various topics, primarily for women, which were very successful for five years. From 1840 to 1842, she served with Emerson, an intellectual, as editor of The Dial a literary and philosophical journal. She wrote many articles and reviews on art and literature and in 1843 The Dial published her essay The Great Lawsuit. Man versus Men, Woman versus Women where she called for women's equality. She later wrote expansion of her essay titled  Woman in the Nineteenth Century, which became a classic of feminist thought under the newspaper Tribune. In 1846, as foreign correspondent for the Tribune Fuller traveled to Europe. Where sent back articles about letters and art in Europe and  meet many well-known European writers and intellectuals. She was also involved in Italian revolution of 1847; where she met her husband and had a child a year later. When the revolution failed, they decided to sail to America: in May 1850. This trip back to the Americas ended in tragedy after the captain died of smallpox and was hastily replaced by a less accomplished replacement who crashed in a storm off of Fire Island, New York, on July 19, 1850. Where Fuller, her husband, Angelo, and her baby, Ossoli, sadly drowned.

Fuller advocated overall the movement of women suffrage and the importance for equality in the time of reform of the nineteenth century. This equality was directed to everyone those of color, those who were minorities and of course to women. She expressed her strong views through conventions and her writings. Fuller soon became the voice of feminism through her writings: The Great Lawsuit. Man versus Men, Woman versus Women and Woman in the Nineteenth Century. Fuller believed that the only  way to bring about social reform was through understanding human nature. She articulated the unique Transcendental approach of interpreting the world and with that bettering the condition of humankind through the use of Enlightenment and Humanist ideas. And rejected Calvinism and the concept of original sin and instead took a more optimistic view of human nature. Where human nature was  fundamentally good and how legislation tended to blur the morals and ideals of those with power. Fuller wanted to see any type of improvement in society when it came to equality be it through equal educational opportunities to women or the right to vote. However Fuller did long for  immediate changes to society and express dissatisfaction with what she saw as a lack of progress. Reynolds asserts that she “advanced the powerful idea, adopted by her fellow Transcendentalists, that oppression, when resistant to words and moral suasion, must be met with righteous violence.” and advocated for “Radical Reform”. She was molded by the larger reform movement in the American republic as well as by being an active contributor towards reform. This shaped her view of a good society in one that offered equality rights, opportunities and stance to all, not just the Protestant man.

Arthur Tappan American Abolitionist

Arthur Tappan was an American abolitionist with strong and strict moral views . He was the brother of Senator Benjamin Tappan, and abolitionist Lewis Tappan. With help of his successful businesses he contributed a large amount of his wealth to campaign against alcohol and tobacco and more importantly helped fund several anti-slavery journals and in 1831 helped establish America's first Anti-Slavery Society in New York in 1831. Two years later it became a national organization and Tappan was elected its first president. Its main supporters were from religious groups such as the Quakers and the free black community. However some members of the Anti-Slavery Society considered the organization to be too radical. Leading Tappan to leave and form a rival organization: the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. Who was more flexible in critiquing the US Constitution and giving a prominent role to women in the society. He also backed the new anti-slavery Liberty Party. After the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850, Tappan realized that the time for change was now and helped fund the Underground Railroad; regardless of the legal and social cons
equences. The Underground Railroad freed thousands of slaves during the time leading up to the civil war and depicted the struggle and need for freedom in the United States.

Arthur Tappan was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, on 22nd May, 1786 and moved to Boston at the age of 15. Tappan was a generous philanthropist and abolition was one of his chief causes. By 1807 established his own dry goods business in Portland, Maine. He expanded his business investments and had a silk-importing firm based in New York was particularly successful. With his brother, Lewis Tappan, he established America's first commercial credit-rating service in New York City. These business help fund Tappan's radicalist and humanitarian ideals. That often made him the target of hostile northern anti-abolitionist mobs; however this hate did not cause Tappan's fire for equality to dwindle. On the contrary he funded many more Anti-Slavery campaigns like, William Lloyd Garrison's: Thoughts on African Colonization which attacked the American Colonization Society In 1832. With Tappan's support, the pamphlet gained a wide circulation, reaching as far west as Ohio. This pamphlet later had put Tappan head wanted in the South in 1835, southern governments: in East Feliciana, Louisiana, and Mount Meigs, Alabama, he was worth $50,000; New Orleans offered $100,000 for his delivery. Apart from the dangers that arose Tappan helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society; the first national abolitionist organization.. Which he also served as president of. Arthur Tappan died on 23rd July, 1865 in New Haven, Connecticut along with leaving a legacy any abolitionist would be proud of.

Arthur Tappan believed in the importance of temperance in American Society; however believed that Slavery was the biggest issue that America was facing at the time. Due to the major standstill between half the nation and the polarizing effect it was having on the nation’s unity. But overall stood up for the immoral dehumanizing attitude the United States was taking on African Americans. After the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1850, Tappan realized that something future then conventions needed to take place in order for social justice to be achieved in the present system. The system would lead no where if not parallel to action. This action was in the form of the Underground Railroad, a maneuver around the Fugitive Act. Being part of the Society of Friends, Tappan was a radical Protestant who challenged traditional assumptions of mankind’s evil nature. These were known as Quakers, they emphasized the inherent dignity of the individual, human equality, and each person’s capacity for goodness. Tappan believed that slavery would be the end of the United States if it continued due to immorality of legislation and not being true to the Constitution and the moral values the country was founded on. Only then would the United States be a good society. Legislation has taken the issue of equality in the back burner to economic stability and according to Tappan this moral dilemma needed to stop. This reform could only be achieved through extensive assembly of radicals willing to take action for the cause of abolishment of slavery;even if it meant breaking the law. Active involvement of its citizens was another essential part of good society in the eyes of Tappan.

Jacksonian Democracy: Arthur M.schiesinger, Jr Point of View

Jeffersonian Democracy was a scapegoat for the times problems of industrialism and aristocracy. It was a mere set of social choices for the rich aristocracy class to insure a “common vision” and offered possibilities of success and prosperity to the millions who suffered the tyranny of Britain and now were apart of state not of evil, but of one of sacredness that can be compared to nothing else. This hopla was a theological way of dealing with the government/democracy and had it’s limitations through maximums of the freedom of enterprise without government interference; making it very one dimensional. The issue of competition, in the eyes of Jefferson, was simple those most power will complete amongst themselves. However a the system of enterprise is far more complex than that, one central power arises it monopolizes the business around it. When these monopolies arise there will no longer me room or the possibility of composition for all the power is in one central group; this was the Jacksonian point of view.Jacksonian democracy, putting aside the centralized power issue, placed government in a more practical view in one that need government interference in order to exercise true freedom of enterprise and back to the root of true American democracy.

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A War of Three, but of Many: The French and Indian War

Tensions between French escalated when France expanded into the Ohio River and brought repeated tensions of the British Colonies French and English Colonies. As the name implies the French and Indian were involved in the French and Indian War; however not as adversaries but as allies against the British. This was the first ever war in the Americas; however it was also an international battle that was fought in Europe, West Indies, Philippines, Africa and even was fought on the Ocean. The main adversaries of Europe in this international battle were Britain and Persia against France, Spain, Austria, Russia and of course the natives of the Americas. The French and Indian War was an international conflict between the French and British that pulled allies from from the entire war; thus was cost full and ultimately was an enormous role in of the start of the American Revolution.

While the French and Indian War or the Seven Year War was an international war the "most" activity was seen in the Americas. These wars where seen as a beginning of open hostility between the English and French as they battled for colonial domination in North America, the Caribbean, and in India. However the also English sought to protect the lands in the Ohio country that have been compromised by the French which was essential due to the copious amount of trade and commerce taking place there and also had an obligation as Mother Britain to pleasing the English colonies. Thus they acted on complains of American Colonist against the French. Another essential part of the war were natives of the Americas, because the war took place in neither participants homeland the French and English heavily relied on the natives numbers. Due to their "high demand" natives sided on both the French and English side. Different tribes sided with the country that would offer the most benefits in fighting in the war. It was very common for generals to bribe tribes with goods and benefits to gain their army.

The aftermath of the French and Indian War gave birth to American Revolution; giving birth to a new nation that would later be the world's ultimate powerhouse. This secediton between Great Britain and the English or now known as the American colonies started from before the war with Britain's polices aimed to hinder colonist trade with the Trade Navigation laws that enraged colonist for Britain not seeing the Americas capable of take charge of their own systems of trade. Over taxation played another essential role of the separation of the Americas. Britain placed many licences in hope to get revenue back from use of navy and military in the war. Such taxes includes policy's such as the Tea Act, the Molasses Act, Stamp Act and etc. that enraged colonist that only were willing to pay there local representatives not the taxes of Mother Britain. However taxation was exaggerated and brought few actual profit back to the Americas nevertheless this sparked the American need for liberty away from Britain's "tyranny". The French and Indian War was an intentional war involving countries as well as forming new country with the emergence of the American Revolution.

Louis Morris representative of New York

During the time of instability between Great Britain and the Americas in the aftermath Indian and French War came many taxation due to the expensive endeavor of of war; consequently a extra-legal conference came to be in between delegates of the Americas to oppose such taxation. On July 1, 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, these states included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Islands, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia. In this meting of independence there was total of Fifty-six delegates signed the United States Declaration of Independence, a statement announcing that the thirteen American colonies were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. These delegates were chosen due to the superb reputation and experience each acquired; one of the many delegates being Louis Morris representative of New York. Morris was elected as one of representative of New York the in Second Continental Congress due to his well standing social status knowledge of politics and his unbiased assessment. 

Louis Morris, born in New York, was born into a high ranking family who were both wealthy and politically involved thus setting up Morris whole future to be invincibility in the direction of politics. Morris came from an influential political family in New York politics who owned the land that is now in the Bronx and the city of Morrisania that was later inherited by Morris with the death of his father and controlled the estate. While his political future was set in stone when he graduated from Yale College in 1746.  He served in the Provincial legislature before the troubles with Great Britain began and joined with the patriots. With his 

high ranking education and family pedigree Morris gained a sturdy place in New York politics and ideal receptive for New York in the Continental Congress. Morris was also an advocate for the poor often siding against his wealthy neighbors and was known for his strict morality, uncommon dignity and graceful demeanor. Thus he's morality was one desired by the New York citizens to represent them in this all important meeting discussing the fate of the Americas in regard to the tyranny of Great Britain. 

Due to Morris outstanding family line, education and fair ruling his place in the Continental Congress and signing of the Declaration of Independence was both well earned and inevitable. As well as his later contribution in  as a brigadier-general in the New York militia that brought conflict between his duties in congress and to the defense of his own colony.  In 1777 he returned to his local duties, served as a judge in Worcester, and served intermittently as a member of the upper house of the new legislature until 1790. As well as rebuilding his estates that was destroyed in the revolution;(which Lewis Morris had three sons that served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War) the he later  died in January 1798 at the age of 72.

Did Pocahontas save John Smith? I think not.

Though historical context there is a blur of the actual encounter of John Smith and native Pocahontas. Whether the iconic heroic act of Pocahontas to save John Smith from her enraged father, Chef of the Powhatan tribe, was more then just a myth. At the time English were beginning the act colonizing the Americas quite late in the game compared to the Spanish and  Portuguese, in the 1600's. In which they encountered conflicts amoungst natives through bloody wars in the few colonies such as, the first surviving settlement of the English, Jamestown whose ruler was John Smith due to his ability as a captain and later wrote experiences in the Americas in England that quite differed. This Inconsistency of documentation provides this level of hearsay that discredits the works of John Smith. Thus Pocahontas did not save John smith due to the the inconsistency of written statements and the later documentation of Pocahontas by Paul Lewis discrediting the "saving" story which was just that a story.

The events that transpire in the aftermath of John Smith captivity of the natives blur in the time rage of 1607- 1624 along with secondary view that clears the overall "encounter"  John Smith, governor of Jamestown and captain, documented his experience with Powhatan in 1607 depicting the natives a kind and generous in the True Revelation; document A. This document is the primary recording of the Natives toward John Smith himself. While Smith later changed his perspective in General History(Document B) in 1624 his published work is prone to influence resulting in false events required by Smith. Later seen in Paul Lewis sum up the actual events that transpire. Thus all documents prove that the interaction between Pocahontas and John Smith never happened.

The Portuguese and Spanish Impact to the Americas

The Portuguese and the Spanish were the first to colonize in the Americas from the old world, taking over and claiming lands and interacting with natives. Exchanging resources, ideas/religion, and of course disease; thus causing the early years of colonization being a deadly one and was later greeted with mistreatment and enslavement of the same natives that greeted Europeans with hospitality. The Spanish and Portuguese brought forth the colonization of the new world and a the harsh introduction of a new religion Christianity, through inhuman ways. The arrival of the Portuguese in the Americas paved the way for the america known today from its colonization to religion ans well as way of life, through the extreme extent of colonization, the introduction of religion as well as the extermination of another and the crops and livestock brought over by Portuguese and Spanish.

The Portuguese were the fist to develop ships fit to travel the harsh currents of west-bound winds and be able to venture outward. While the Spanish stumbled into the Americas treasures accidentally in search of a new trade route to the indies where commerce and trade was highly profitable. Yet found the Americas and went on to colonization when the discovery of a new land was realized. Started immediately into colonization and exploiting everything the Americas had to offer.The Portuguese and the Spanish both shared one major goal: wealth. That they acquired with settlement in the Americas, due to rich soil, profitable metals(gold, silver etc) and a blank canvas; however not so blank. Natives/"Indians" (Due to mix up between trade routes) spread throughout the land, that proved a nuisance to incoming settlers that wanted to claim the land for the self's. Colonization did not serve to be such a problem due to the drop of population of natives caused by disease (small pox, measles, syphilis)  brought by the Spanish and settlers, thus natives were earlier to control. Yet this did not stop revolts amoungst natives, yet unfortunately were unsuccessful, but brought better treatment from settlers. Apart from treatment the Portuguese and Spanish also had trade in common. Well the mainly Portugal who traded spices, gold and sugar cane, which made up most of their profit with the prosperity of sugar plantations. While the Spanish mainly relied on slavery from the natives allowed via the encomienda system. Which allowed the right to demand tribute and forced labor from the Indian inhabitants of an area and put the spanish on a golden pedistle about saving natives from there savage lifestyle and beliefs; however Bartolome de Las Casas (1474-1566). Who spoke against the church (saying alot due to priest status) and the Spanish actions in the natives in the Americas. As well as giving the voiceless a voice, he provided the world a written report of time, which was hard to come by at the time period.

As the Portuguese and Spanish conquered the Americas and underwent rapid colonization the Treaty of Tortillas was developed. Which divided the Americas by the catholic church; west of the land to the Portuguese and north of the land to the Spanish. While this evaded conflicts between the Portuguese and Spanish it brought no consideration to natives whose say deserved no needed to be heard and considered. However among st these tragedies the triangle trade took birth into a more elaborated triangle trade wholes wing span expanded the whole world. Into an essential part of the economy thriving the profits and the value of the Americas and building the bones of a future World power on the bones of natives and there traditions. These trade networks mirror those used today, as well as our diets connect the the resources brought over from the Old world to the New; as well as religion of these times still influencing our modern day world and societies. Thus illustrating the impact of the Portuguese and the Spanish on the Americas and the Modern day world.  

Spanish and Portuguese Expatiation 1400-1600

Spanish Impact of the Americas

Abraham Lincoln : Historical Figure worth Admiration

Abraham Lincoln : Historical Figure worth Admiration

Throughout my academic experience one historical figure has always stood out: Abraham Lincoln. For his just deeds and humble beginnings, he was truly a perfect picture of a worthy leader. His cadency brought forth a civil war; however the outcome was in the form of a step closer to a better country with correct morals. Despite Lincoln's harsh childhood, losing his mother at a young age, he persevered towards the only thing that would bring benefit to himself, education. Rather then letting this tragedy be a scapegoat for his failure, on the contrary he taught himself law. Not soon after that he took a interest into politics and ran for presidency. It is because of these traits that shaped Abraham into not a man of excuses but one of actions. His
charismatic personality did not hurt either. Wherever Lincoln would speak everyone listened, this made him a shoe in for president. It is these traits that gain my praise for Abraham Lincoln. He was man of action and amazing leadership skills; that could move people with his speeches. He stood up for his ideologies till the end regardless of the outcome; for better good of a nation or in this case a union.



Abraham Lincoln was a man of values and notion of right and wrong. Whose most famous deed was that of the liberation of the group people whose rights were being denied; the abolishment of slavery. That is seen through the document: The Emancipation Proclamation. Which proclaimed that all slaves were freed; however this was just in a warring state. Thus not permanent, this deed was later legalized with addition of the thirteen amendments to the bill of rights. That includes the famous rights of freedom of expression including speech, press including assembly and of cause religion along with other amendments. However his liberalist opinion soon came at a cost, with the supremacist propaganda of the time taking over. Naturally he gained enemies, partially those in the south; who depended on slavery for a prospering economy. This eventually led the sedition of a large number of confederate states. That led to a civil war, that incially was an attempt to keep the union in one piece. That eventually turned to fight of right and wrong, a final decision to the morals of a nation that had grown tied of decision of compromise. Yet as almost out of a storybook right won; leaving the United States of America a free country. However reality soon kicked in with the assignation of one of America's greatest presidents, due to primal ideas and an enigma of "doing right". President Abraham Lincoln was murdered in cold blood.

Though his second presidential rain ended bloody, with his murder in April 14,1865. Abraham Lincoln left more then just his body but his legacy as well. Not only did Abraham Lincoln
abolish the idea of slavery, but also kept the union in one piece. Thus keeping the United States as the name implies untied. His life story is awe inspiring, something that gives me and I hope others promise. A promise of becoming something great, regardless of your background or setbacks. That us as individuals can leave our fingerprints on the world and inspire others to do the same. Thus Abraham Lincoln, in my opinion, is the a historical figure that demands recognition for his resilience, bravery and perseverance.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/civil-war-overview/overview.html

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/alrintr.html