Chicago Anarchists (Soaptone)

SOAPTONE Chicago Anarchists

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

Dyer D. Lum

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

He was a 19th-century American anarchist labor activist and poet. He was a left wing intellectual of the 1880s.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

The point of view missing is those of the big corporations that he condemns.

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

This source is a reliable source on documenting the fact that class prejudice did happen, but it may exaggerate the facts for dramatic effect.

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

1886

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

this document was written during the industrial age when big businesses and monopolies dominated the labor force.

What other historical events were going on during this time?

Audience  

The Haymarket Affair

To whom is the author writing?  

The author is writing to the general public

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This is an excerpt from a book. 

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

Because this is a public document that is trying to persuade the public on the injustices of class prejudice agains the working class and not a private letter we do not know exactly if the author found any good in the system. 

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

This document was written to address the citizens of the United States. It was used to inform and persuade the general public on the injustices of class prejudice. It was written to oppose the big buisnesses and support worker's rights. 

What is the document saying?

See above. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is condemning towards big business and corporations and liberating towards the working force.

SOAPTONE: Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural address.

SOAPTONE Lincoln's First Inaugural Address

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

Abraham Lincoln

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He was raised as a poor man and became a self taught lawyer. Eventually he challenged Senator Douglas to a debate duel and lost the senate but won his chance at presidency in his famous Lecompton declaration. He opposed the mexican American war and maintained during his first election that the Civil war was not fought to free slaves, but rather to preserve the union. Also, his face is on the penny. 

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

This public speech shows Lincoln's reasoning for the civil war (if it came to that). It does not show his advisors reasoning or the abolitionists whom believe that the war was fought over slavery.

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

The source is reliable to represent how desperately Lincoln wished to keep the Union together, but because it is a public speech does not recognize his own personal feelings of slavery. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

March 4, 1861

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

This decision was in the middle of many important historical times that dealt with the issue of slavery such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act and John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. It was during a time of high tensions between the North and South and states, in fact, seve had already seceded. 

What other historical events were going on during this time?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for popular sovereignty which directly went against the Missouri compromise of 1820. 

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

The author is directly addressing the American population, specifically the south. 

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This is a public speech. 

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

Because this is a public speech and not a private letter we do not know exactly what Abraham Lincoln's personal opinions on slavery were. 

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

This document was written to address the south. It stated that the South could not secede because of two main reasons. The first, they joined into a union together and they must separate together. Also, because there are no geographical boundaries it is impossible to separate from one another. The document also is informing the south or warning the south that there will be no blood shed unless the south is the first to commit the crime. Furthermore, Lincoln will always uphold the constitution and nowhere in the constitution does it say that slavery is illegal. 

What is the document saying?

See above. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is pacifying. He is attempting to hold together the union, but admits that if the nation goes towards civil war he will not tolerate disunion. 

Soaptone Dredd Scott Case

SOAPTONE Dred Scott Case

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

Chief Justice Roger Taney

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

Roger Taney was the Chief Justice of the Supreme court. He was a jacksonian democrat that freed his own slaves, but was most famous for declaring slaves to be non-citizens in the Dred Scott Case.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

Dred Scott and other colored people also the abolitionists who supported them. 

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

The source is reliable to represent the point of view of a section of America's view on African Americas and slaves in general. It does not accurately portray abolitionists views of slavery and African American's views. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

1857

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

This decision was in the middle of many important historical times that dealt with the issue of slavery such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This simply added to the already tense relations between the North and South. 

What other historical events were going on during this time?

The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for popular sovereignty which directly went against the Missouri compromise of 1820. 

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

The author is directly addressing the court room, but his ruling addresses the entire nation of America. 

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This is a public speech. 

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

Because this is a public speech and not a private letter we do not know exactly what Roger B. Taney's personal opinions were. he freed his slaves why would he deny this freeman freedom?

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

This document was written to put in affect the Dred Scott decision which stated that black people were not citizens, and slaves were property so they therefore could not be taken away from citizens of America. 

What is the document saying?

See above. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is condemning towards slaves and strict no-nonsense type. He has declared what the law is and there will be no question about it. 

SOAPTONE William Barret Travis' letter

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

William Barret Travis

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

William Barret Travis was a Texian rebel that was holed up in the Alamo.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

The mexicans 

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

It is a reliable source for the point of view of those trapped in the Alamo, but does not accurately portray the reasoning behind the Mexican attack, or the feeling of Americans against the fight with the Spanish. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

February 24, 1836

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

This was nine years before the state was officially accepted into the union.

What other historical events were going on during this time?

This was a time of expansion for the United States. Missouri had just been ratified into the union in 1821 causing no further slave state to be developed above the 36 30 line.

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

The author is writing to all other americans. He states "fellow citizens and compatriots"

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

Although this is in a form of a personal letter it is more like a public speech because Travis wants it to be widely published so that he can get help.

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

BEcause Travis is making a public statement and trying to persuade others for help we can safely assume that he is bias. He is desperate for aid and will paint the wicked mexicans as horrible to get it.

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

Travis wrote this letter to urge his patriotic American listeners for aid at the Alamo. 

What is the document saying?

The document states that he is trapped in the Alamo, surrounded by Mexicans, and that they need help. There is hope, however, for they have found many foodstuffs that have been able to sustain themselves. 

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The Speaker is patriotic, enthusiastic, and persuasive. 

SOAPTONE Madison's war Message to Congress

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

James Madison 

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

James Madison was the fourth president of the United States. He led America into the War of 1812, helped draft the constitution, created the bill of rights, and supervised the Louisiana Purchase.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

The British, the native americans and the general population of America 

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?
This is a persuasive piece created by James Madison to convince Congress to declare war on Britain. In any persuasion speech there is bias. So in this way the piece is reliable to express the viewpoints and reasons for declaring war against Britain, but does not justly represents the cons against war. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

June 1st 1812

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

It was 19 days before the war of 1812 officially starts. This means that James MAdison was successful in his persuasion. 

What other historical events were going on during this time?

The Napoleonic wars were going on at this time. America took the stance as neutral, but could not remain out of the politics between the British and the French.

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

James Madison is addressing congress: "To the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States"

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This document is a public Speech.

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content
(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?

Due to the fact that the document is public in nature, you can be sure that James Madison was very careful in conducting his words. This may veil his true intentions of going to war with Britain because he was trying to persuade congress and the public.

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

James Madison wrote this document to encourage congress to declare war against Britain. 

What is the document saying?

Madison asks that Congress declare war against Britain, listing four major grievances to justify action: impressment, illegal blockades, the Orders in Council, and British responsibility for renewing Indian warfare in the northwest. The President insists that a state of war already existed and to ignore these grievances would undermine U.S. sovereignty through an implicit acceptance of British actions.

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is condemning towards Britain and patriotic for America. 

SOAPTONE An Attack on the Salem Witch Trials

SOAPTONE An Attack on the Salem Witch Trials

Source  

Who wrote the document?  

Thomas Brattle

What is the author’s background/point of view?

Thomas Brattle was a well educated Boston Merchant.  He had interests in science and mathematics as well as commerce. Brattle was a liberal in both his political and religious views and opposed Puritan ways.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is
missing?  

The accused “witch”.

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

Yes, it accurately portrays the view of non supporters of the Salem Witch trial. It does not portray all views of the Witch trial, and is biased because it is written by one person.

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

Around 1692

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?

It was during the time of the Witch Trials. This means that the article was written during the time of the trials meaning it is a primary source.

What other historical events were going on during this time? 

Salem Witch trials

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

Unknown English clergy man

What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

Private letter that got circulated

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content
(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?  

The privatness of this letter allows Brattle to condemn the ongoing of the witch trials without being judged.

Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

This document was written to condemn the way the witches were judged (not whether or not they were witches).

What is the document saying?

That the witches testimony, being affected by the devil, should not be taken seriously.

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

Condemning.