Need for more land or thrist to be known as a World Power?

Adams-Onis Treaty:

In 1812 the United States of America was at war with Great Britain. During the war the United States was under a lot of pressure to use this opportunity to expand their territory. In the spring of 1813 the United States Congress authorized the occupation of a Spanish owned town and port, Mobile, in West Florida. In retaliation to the United States actions, Spain allowed Britain to use Pensacola for a base camp, in addition to helping the Creek Indians fight the United States. After the war against Britain ended in 1815, Spain made an effort to resolve its disputes with the United States. In 1819 Spain and the United States both signed the Adams-Onis Treaty that would bring tranquility to the two nations. The treaty allowed Spain to keep its territory in Texas but all the land formally owned by Spain east of the Mississippi river was given to the United States. After this treaty was signed both Spain and the United States abandoned their claims to damage caused by the previous wars.

George Washington would have been disappointed in the events that led up to the signing of the Adams-Onis Treaty due to the United States' thirst to become known as a World Power. "Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?..." (77). In George Washington's Farewell Address, Washington expressed that the United States should not involve itself and commit acts with Europe that would threaten the peace and prosperity destined for the United States.

This event shows how much the United States has grown as a country. It shows that the new form of government was successful. The United States was thought of as young and weak, but is now showing the world that it is becoming quite powerful. This event shows that the United States will not be limited to the little land it was given when it was first created. The United States has the liberty to expand their territory in a fair manner. I believe this event helps accomplish the goals set in the Preamble because it helps bring prosperity to the country by acquiring more land in which to trade with and prosper from.

Connecting Historic Documents to Today

"They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year?" (Henry 36).

I believe the words written by Patrick Henry in 1776 directly relate to the picture taken in 2001 of the ruble where the World Trade Center use to stand. These two pieces of evidence are so strongly related to each other because Henry describes the united States of America at a point in time when it was a weak and frail country. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001 the United States of America was practically frozen in fear. Henry talks about how long will it take for the united States of America to be strong, would take a week or a year? Henry expresses his uncertanty of how long it would take for his country to become strong, but it was something that would happen eventually. Even in 2011 I believe the the United States has not fully recovered from what happened on September 11, 2001. Yes we are a very strong and outspoken country but, are we as strong and confident as we were before the 9/11 attacks? There will always be a point in the history of the United States, where fear ran wild in its streets.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close: Blog 1

My perspective of Oskar has had a definite change from the beginning of the book to "Heavier Boots." At the beginning of the book Oskar had inappropriate thoughts, but knew what was deemed inappropriate to say out loud. As the book continued Oskar's filter became smaller and smaller until he was unable to determine what was acceptable and unacceptable to say outloud. Oskar asked if he could kiss Abby, "'I dont think that a good idea'... I asked why not. She said, 'Because I'm forty-eight and you're twelve.' 'So?'" (99). This was a mojor indicater that Oskar was beginning to lose sight of what was acceptable. I believe that at the beginning of the book before Oskar started his search for the missing lock, he would have been able to identify that his question to Abby was unacceptable. At the end of "heavier Boots" it was really clear that that filter Oskar once had, was gone. Oskar argues with his mom, "If i could have chosen, I would have chosen you" (171). Oskar angrily told his mom that if he could have chosen which of his parents died in the 9/11 tragedy he would have picked his mother. This really jumped out at me because that is probably the worst thing Oskar could have said to his mother. Oskar has gradually been losing his way as the book went on and i think the end of "Heavier Boots" was his breaking point.