Democracy |
The ballot is stronger than the bullet.
-Abraham Lincoln 1856
Democracy |
The ballot is stronger than the bullet.
-Abraham Lincoln 1856
What is Democracy?Democracy is a government created by the people, to serve and benefit the people through representation from citizens. |
The Presidential Election of 1860The election of 1860 was an example of how divided America had become. From opposing military parties, to corrupt ballots, it was one of the strangest elections of American history that eventually lead to rebellion and civil war. The candidates included: Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, Stephen A. Douglass of Illinois, John Brekinridge of Kentucky, and John Bell of Tennessee.
Abraham Lincoln pulled through with a victory, earning the position of the 16th president of the United States of America. However, his victory was anything but ordinary. Lincoln won the election with only 40% of all votes. All of these votes were cast in the northern states. In fact, in ten southern states, he wasn't even on the ballot.
Connection to the IdealThe election of 1860 is one of many examples of America's struggle to uphold it's democratic ideals. The north and south were unable to reach agreements, ballots were rigged, and opposing political parties butted heads. How was the nation supposed to be governed by the people, if they people were divided? This event in American history created a lifelong split between the north and south, one that is still not fully healed to this day. It brought Americans farther from their ideals of democracy by creating civil unrest, ideas of secession, and the inability for government officials throughout the nation to work together.
Failing Donald Trump Has a New Enemy: DemocracyDonald Trump has been in office for over one hundred days, and so far it is universally agreed that it was a failure. Although the 100-day mark is not an official deadline for any specific decisions and changes, over the years it has become a traditional point to evaluate the new administration.
a Overall, Trump's biggest roadblock is one of the five ideals of America, democracy. With detailed plan of everything he was to achieve during his first one hundred days as president, it seemed as if Trump had a good idea of what he wanted to accomplish. However, he did not account for the opposing views from congress that made passing these laws and regulations nearly impossible. For example, Trump's party voted sixty times to repeal Obama Care, finally succeeding, but failing to formulate an alternative plan. Opposing politicians who are revolted by Trump refuse to let him carry out his plans and are causing grief for the Trump Administration.
Connection to the IdealDonald Trump's current struggles as president relate to the ideal of democracy, since he is finding it particularly had to work with congress to get laws passed. As a result of the president's controversial ideas, America, yet again, finds itself dividing based on political views. Democrats who oppose Trump, and Republicans who support him. Like during the election of 1860, America is losing its ability to work together, drawing it away from the ideal of democracy, and hopefully not towards another civil war.
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