Dred Scott V. Stanford Summary

Dred Scott V. Stanford

by Elyssa Hodge

    Dred Scott V. Stanford was a court case concerning an African American man (the plaintiff) and Stanford. Stanford, the defendant, (a citizen of New York) pleaded that Scott was not a citizen of The State of Missouri (the plaintiff was of African decent). The plea denied the right of the plaintiff to sue in a court of the United States. The question was can a negro become a member of the political community, and have the same privileges and rights as a citizen of the US. Negros have no rights unless it is the choice of the government to grant them. Whether they have rights or not varied between states. The founding fathers in the US constitution would have stated clearly if Negros were aloud rights, therefore the court concluded that they were never intended to have any rights. Negros are treated as merchandise and therefore have no rights. The plaintiff was in error so they decided in Stanford’s stead.

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The Missouri Compromise Summary

The Missouri Compromise

by Elyssa Hodge

     The Missouri Compromise was created in order to authorize the people of the Missouri territory to form a constitution for themselves and state government. The Missouri compromise is very detailed it has the coordinates of each area involved and the laws that come with it. The voting age was still 21, and you couldn’t vote unless they were a white male who had resided in that territory for 3 months prior to the election. Certain amounts of representatives from each area were required in order to create a convention. Certain days were appointed for the election of these representatives. Lastly, resources were shared among the states.

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The U.S Constitution Summary

The U.S Constitution
Summary by Elyssa Hodge

     The U.S Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation, which contained some problems. In the Articles of Confederation each state was able to make pretty much all of their own laws and in order to pass a law between all the states there had to be a Unanimous vote. However, the Constitution changed this. They changed it so that the Constitution has three main functions. The three branches are legislative, executive (which is the president), and judicial. Each branch divides power among themselves. The Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention, which was from May 25,1787 to September 17, 1787. The Constitution is a living proof that there is always room for improvement.

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The Scarlet Letter (Spoilers Included) Persuasive Speech

Some Secrets Kill

(by Nathaniel Hawthorne) Summarized by Elyssa Hodge

  Have you ever kept something a secret in order to save someone? Everyone agrees that Hester Prin didn’t tell anyone that Arthur Dimmesdale was the father of Pearl. However some people believe that Hester should have told everyone that Arthur was the father, while others believe she shouldn’t. Hester shouldn’t have told everyone that Arthur was the father for these three reasons: It was better kept as a secret, she might have been harmed, and he fessed up himself.

    Hester shouldn’t have told anyone that Arthur was the father, because it was better kept as a secret. Arthur was holy and perfect in the people's eyes, therefore the people probably wouldn’t believe her. And, If the people did believe her they would most likely hate her and blame it on Hester that Arthur did this sinful deed. Lastly, if Hester told everyone that Arthur was the father she might have received a more stern punishment.

    Hester shouldn’t have told everyone Arthur was the father, because she might be harmed. Her baby might be hurt which would in turn injure her. Hester’s husband was deeply angered that Hester and Arthur had an affair, so he might hurt or even worse kill the baby in his anger. Also her husband, whose name was Roger Chillingworth, had already gone to the point of knocking Arthur out so he might have also killed the Arthur. And lastly both Hester and Arthur would be at the risk of a hanging.

     Hester shouldn’t have told everyone Arthur was the father, because he fessed up himself. Because of Hester’s loyalty to Arthur, Arthur felt in debt to her and stood up for her in hard times. He also daily payed for his wrong doings. By lying to the people about who he was. As Martin Luther said “A lie cannot live.” In the end Arthur died. He was so worn that after he finally told his secret to the people, he died. And I believe that the lie he had to tell for years and years killed him in the end.

    Hester shouldn’t have told everyone that Arthur was the father because it was better kept as a secret, she might be harmed, and he fessed up himself.

     This matters to Hester, because if she did tell everyone whom the child’s father was she might have gotten the child taken away from her and she herself would probably be killed.

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Defence of Fort McHenry (Star Spangled Banner) Summary

Defence of Fort McHenry

(by Fort HcHenry) Summarized by Elyssa Hodge

    

The Defence of Fort McHenry (the star-spangled banner”) also known as the National Anthem was written by Francis Scott Key on September 19, 1814. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” When he heard about the flag, which flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the 1814 battle at the fort. The Star-Spangled banner is important because it is the national anthem of the United States of America, and it basically represents America. When the National anthem is played we are expected to stand and face the flag. Civilians should stand with their right hand over heart, while military personnel and veterans should salute throughout.

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Johnny Tremain (Spoilers included) Persuasive Speech

The Cup

(Johnny Tremain: Persuasive speech)

by Elyssa Hodge

    Have you ever done something idiotic and foolish? In the story Johnny Tremain, Johnny did something just like this. Johnny should not have tried to sell the cup to Mr. Lyte for these three reasons: It was too dangerous, odds were against him, and he was being greedy.

     The Primary reason Johnny shouldn’t have tried to sell the cup to Mr. Lyte is because it was too dangerous. Mr. Lyte believed that Johnny was a thief, so if Johnny tried to sell the cup to him Johnny might get hurt. Also Johnny had just won a court case with Mr.Lyte about stealing the cup, so Mr. Lyte would probably be upset. Lastly, Mr. Lyte was devious. In the end Johnny ended up getting the cup stolen from him because he tried to sell it to Mr. Lyte, so Johnny shouldn’t have tried to sell it because it was dangerous.

    The second reason Johnny should not have tried to sell the cup to Mr. Lyte is because, the odds were against him. Mr. Lyte was a very popular man. He was rich, well loved by the people, and he was a very good liar. Also when Johnny had won the court case the Judge had told him not to try and sell the cup to Mr. Lyte because if something happened the court would no longer be able to help him. So Johnny shouldn’t have tried to sell the cup to Mr. Lyte because the odds were against him.

     The Last reason Johnny should not have tried to sell the cup to Mr.Lyte is because he was being greedy. Johnny just wanted a higher price. He could have sold the cup to a different buyer. They wouldn’t be able to give him quite the amount he was hoping for, but he wouldn’t have to risk his life in the process. Lastly, Johnny’s mother told him not to sell the cup. So, he was deliberately disobeying her.

     Johnny should not have tried to sell the cup to Mr.Lyte because it was too dangerous, the odds were against him, and he was being greedy.

    This matters to his future, because if he hadn’t tried to sell the cup to Mr.Lyte he wouldn't have gotten it stolen from him.

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Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments- Elizabeth Stanton Summary

Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments

Summarized by: Elyssa Hodge

     In this document Elizabeth Stanton clearly states how women were mistreated and how she strongly wanted to change that. She states that in the history of mankind the men have been a tyrant to women. Men have never permitted women any right in elective franchise, they have been forced to submit to laws, even in a divorce the wife has no say. Rights were given to ignorant, unworthily natives and foreigners, yet never to the women. A married woman might only be recognized when her property becomes profitable. There are no avenues to wealth, no college, no worthy and useful jobs, such as law, medicine, and theology for women. She is allowed a position in the church, but even that is tainted by her husband will. He may exclude her from her ministry work if he likes, and with some exceptions even public church affairs. Men were basically “playing God”. Elizabeth Stanton’s last two paragraphs were basically saying: Give women their rights! And they will do their very best to hold up the Law, and work aside man.

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