Seneca Falls 1848 “Resolved, that woman is man's equal, was intended to be so by the Creator, and the highest good of the race demands that she should be recognized as such” Seneca Falls 1848

Historical Context- what is going on in that time period and how it influenced the document Strong reform movements in northern states going on that want to… - abolish slavery - spread public education - create utopian (perfect) societies - early environmentalism - anti-war (Mexican-American war in this time period) - Women’s Rights In this time period… - only white males can vote and hold public office - husbands have pretty much complete control over all aspects of their wives' lives - Politics and business is seen as the realm of men (not women which would be back in the home)

MLK 1963 “In a sense we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.” MLK “I Have a Dream” 1963

Historical Context Slavery ended in the 1860s, however segregation took the place of slavery. Segregation - De Jure: in the South it was written into laws that Blacks and Whites were to be separated in many areas of society. Many denied the right to vote - De Facto: in the North & West some places it was written but many others segregation occurred by custom 1950s/1960s/1970s- many civil rights and protest movements Vietnam war Women’s rights (equal pay, equal opportunity, reproductive) Migrant worker rights Gay rights

Some legislative and legal change Tackling segregation and discrimination - 1964 Civil Rights Act - 1965 Voting Rights Act - Affirmative Action Tackling Women’s Issues Equal Pay Act of 1963 Roe v. Wade Title IX (9) Various other pieces of legislation and court rulings (not enough time to cover them all)

Obama Convention Speech 2004 “Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our Nation -- not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago:” (Obama, 2004)

Historical Context Democratic National Convention- 2004 Nation divided over the war in Iraq; also ongoing war in Afghanistan - failure up to that point to find Osama bin Laden Fear over terrorism (9/11 three year prior) Tight presidential race (incumbent George Bush (R) vs. long time senator John Kerry (D)) Economy had bounced back from a recession, but was still fairly weak