Davy Crockett

The article that I read was entitled “The Deaths and Three Resurrections of Davy Crockett“ and was written by Daniel G. Hoffman.  Daniel G. Hoffman main emphasizes what a strong cultural impact Davy Crockett has on both young and old Americans. Why is this? Perhaps it is the simple ideal of a rugged individual and heroism. Davy Crockett was the classic frontiersman with a coonskin cap and was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. There is something classically American in this imagine of Davy Crockett. An important part of our American culture is rugged individualism- our wonderful nation was carved out of a hostile and beautiful wilderness. We are individuals with help of God conquered the wilderness, and have a tough fighting instinct to us. Another part of our American culture is standing up for what we believe in. Throughout American history we American citizens have cherished our rights and liberties and would defend them with our lives. When King George III of the United Kingdom was trying to take away our rights, the American citizens rose up against. We the American citizens eventually had a revolution and broke free from the United Kingdom. This is only part of why we American are so protective of our rights, and shows what an important cultural aspect this is. Americans love Davy Crockett since his determination and leaderships seems like something out of the American Revolutionary era of an earlier day than Crockett.  

Not only is the story of Davy Crockett for those in the 19^th century, but for us today also. People need heroes to look up to and admire- Davy Crockett’s courage can be applied to situations today also. It may make us unpopular, but in the long run standing up for your rights is more rewarding than sitting down and letting your rights disappear.

Davy Crockett is according to the article a wonderful picture of a hero. This is true, Crockett was not perfect by any means but history is full of stories of real men and women. The beauty of history is we can learn from these great and famous people of the past to better our own lives.

 

 

 

 

Citations:
Hoffman, Daniel G. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/4610304?seq=3>

The Eaton Affair

The Peggy Eaton scandal was one of the most shaking and dramatic social events of the Andrew Jackson presidential administration. Peggy O’Neill Timberlake Eaton was the wife of Secretary of War John Eaton. Peggy Eaton was accused of adultery, and snubbed by all of the other cabinet wives in Andrew Jackson’s cabinet. President Andrew Jackson decided he had to defend Peggy Eaton’s honor, because Peggy Eaton reminded Andrew Jackson of his own wife Rachel. Rachel Jackson was married to a man who did not have a good relationship with her, so Rachel devoiced him and married Andrew Jackson. The divorce was not finalized correctly so Rachel’s ex-husband sued for adultery. In the intense 1828 election, Rachel’s so called “adultery” became a huge issue. Rachel Jackson was very sensitive, and upon reading a pamphlet accusing her of adultery Rachel Jackson suffered a heart attack and died. Andrew Jackson was very outraged, and took it as his own responsibility to defend the honor of women. When Andrew Jackson saw Peggy Eaton being snubbed Andrew decided to defend Peggy’s honor as well.  In Margaret Coit’s book “John C. Calhoun: American Portrait” Vice President John C. Calhoun brushes this whole Peggy Eaton scenario off as a silly women’s game. Calhoun was wrong, analyzing this from history shows the social schemes of Washington do effect policy. Andrew Jackson forced most of his cabinet to resign over the Peggy Eaton affair. This may have been silly business as John C. Calhoun would have said, but it did effect the atmosphere of Washington, DC.  Not only is this a story of the past- but the Peggy Eaton story can be applied to present also. Our actions are being watched by the world, they want to see what we are doing and they will try to watch us stumble. We may be thinking what John C. Calhoun was thinking that “this is silly business having people judge us by rumors” but it is sadly true. We must always be lights to the world.  God calls us to be salt and light to the lost, this does not mean to ignore and shun those who are sinners like Peggy Eaton was- but instead we should minister and reach out to the Peggy Eatons of the world and show them Christ’s love.

American Political Culture- HIST316 Assignment

The article that we had to read was entitled “The Early Republic’s Political Culture 1789-1840” and it was written by Robert P. Formisato.  The beginning of the article starts out talking about how political parties were formed by daring men who wanted to create a new system. When the republic started out most of the founding fathers were opposed to the idea of political parties, although they formed their own out of necessity. For a brief time during the Era of Good Feelings Americans were united under one political party. This all changed after James Monroe’s presidency. Martin Van Buren was a huge proponent of political parties and wrote papers convincing people of their necessity. Martin Van Buren believed political parties were a positive good uniting people of diverse backgrounds under a common goal.  The article explains how the party system started out with the “Federalists” and “Democratic Republicans” and goes into a brief history on how these parties evolved, and how certain core principles remained the same. Martin Van Buren even pointed out how two forces drive political parties throughout US History- those who want centralization of power like the monarchists during the American Revolution, and those who want decentralization of power. Over time these two ideas compete with each other and do compete till this day.  This article also mentions how parties have different parts- you have the party leaders, activists, voters and they all play an important part in the party’s creation and functions as it interacts with the citizens of these United States.  The article by Formisato also critiques the use of party language. “Republican” and “Federalist” meant different things during the American Revolution, but when they evolved into parties they because the party titles and rhetoric.

                This article offers a very interesting analysis of our American political party system and how it changes, and stays the same throughout the years. It is very interesting to observe that our own political system is actually not very different at all from the early 1800s. We have people who hate parties, some people who promote parties as a positive good. The citizens today of the United States are arguing over states’ rights, federalism and a centralized government almost the same way they did in the early 1800s.  There is not any real “biblical” stance on the issues of states rights. Personally I favor states rights because I believe man is sinful by nature, and therefore we must have decentralized government to check the other branches, and states to check the federal government. This issue of political parties however, is in the “Christian liberty” zone.

This was a very well-written article on political parties.

John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams was the son of John Adams, and was our sixth president. In the year 1824 these United States were approaching an important annerversary, the 50th annerversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Also on this date on Independence Day the two most influential signers- John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.  President John Quincy Adams had to deliver a speech commemorating these two great men (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=66658) John Quincy Adams believes that God's providence was a key and vital part of his father's and Thomas Jefferson's lives. John Quincy Adams frequently references God and believed God had an ever present hand on these men's affairs. John Quincy Adams also believed providence was specially protecting these United States, John Quincy Adams said; "A coincidence of circumstances so wonderful gives confidence to the belief that the patriotic efforts of these illustrious men were Heaven directed, and furnishes a new seal to the hope that the prosperity of these States is under the special protection of a kind Providence." (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=66658)   These quotes show a glimpse into President John Quincy Adams' faith. Faith was a vital part of John Quincy Adams' life, and even influenced his speeches and politics. Talking about God's providence comes very easily for John Quincy Adams.  John Quincy Adams' Christian worldview shaped his life, and really impacted him. John Quincy Adams' worldview comforted him in knowing his father John Adams was in a better place if he was a believer. 

                In John Quincy Adams’ Newburyport Orientation (http://archive.org/stream/orationdelivered00adam#page/n7/mode/2up), Adams riddles his speech with allusions to how important Christ’s birth was. Adams firmly believes that Christ has his protective providential hand on these United States.  John Quincy Adams fundamental belief is in God’s providence. This is very evident by these two speeches and addresses Adams’ made. People usually talk about things they love and feel strongly about; John Quincy Adams talks often about Christ and his providence.