LAD #37: Brown vs. Board of Education

The case of Brown vs. Board of Education dealt with the issue of a supposedly all white public school in Topekam Kansas denying little Linda Brown, a black girl, the right to attend the school. She lived closer to this all white public school than the black school that she was walking a mile to in order to attend. This case caused many conflicts regarding segregation in schools to arise. The NAACP was eager to aid in the case, striving to end this segregation in schools and other areas of daily life. Additionally, the case of Plessy vs. Ferguson was discussed which had established that separate but equal was unconstitutional which was exactly what the case of Brown vs. Board of Education was dealing with. The schools available for blacks during this time were obviously not equal. Linda Brown challenged this. Her case resulted in the desegregation of the school system which forever changed America. Although desegregation happened very gradually, it began with the victory of Linda Brown. This revolutionary event in history also sparked the Civil Rights Movement, forever impacting and progressing the United States into what we have become today.

"To separate children solely because of their race
generates a feeling of inferiority that may affect
their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone."

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was created and then presented to Congress when the President decided that the involvement of the United States in world affairs was necessary in order to preserve democracy across the globe. President Truman asked Congress to aid and support Greece and Turkey in order for them to overtake the political challenges that they were experiencing and achieve democracy. Although establishing and preserving democracy was an extremely important aspect, one of the even more important parts was eliminating any kind of Marxist rule. The Truman Doctrine is known one of the first attempts of the United States in containing communism. We strived to cease European nations from to the plague of Communism which was also the government of the powerful Soviet Union. President Truman decided to take a huge step in providing these countries aid as Britain had grown financially weaker and could no longer support these nations with the funds necessary to prevent a Communist takeover. President Truman then expressed that it was the duty of America to provide aid and support in helping other nations to establish the same freedoms found in the United States, economically and militarily. "If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation."

LAD #35: FDR's Executive Order #9066

 

In the period after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, many American citizens were wary of Japanese Americans residing near them. Quickly a very prevalent anxiety arose among the country, stemming from the Japanese Americans. This prompted the Executive Order #9066 which said that alternate locations or referred to as "military areas" were created in order for Japanese Americans to be sent to and live on. Their freedom was basically stripped away however, as they could not leave these bases. Much of the time the bases were surrounded by fencing or some sort of blockade to prevent the people from leaving the premises. These "areas" mostly existed in the sparsley populated West in order to isolate them from the rest of the country. Virtually, all of their natural rights ceased to exist in these bases and many of the "homes" provided to families, were old horse stalls. Frequently, there was a lack of food and the education provided to the children was limited to none. It became legal to send Japanese American individuals and families to these areas based on any sort of "suspicion", even without any sort of tangible evidence or proof. Often times, families were sent to these bases, void of reason, solely because they were Japanese Americans which brought fear to many.

LAD #34: FDR's Declaration of War

Franklin Delano Roosevelt begins with speaking of the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy." He quickly requested a declaration for from Congress after the attack.   Japan's entire attack on Pearl Harbor had obviously been very planned out as well as various other hostile attacks on surrounding pacific islands. Furthermore, Roosevelt also acknowledged the fact that Japan simply was undisturbed by the conflicts at hand, and went on as if there was nothing awry. This prompted Roosevelt request to declare war. He asked America to take a stand and fight against Japan and regain justice. He concluded with saying that the only way America was to prove itself against Japan was to fight.

LAD #33: FDR's First Inaugral Address

In the days before Roosevelt took office in 1933, America was in a period of distress and turmoil. The economy was continually struggling, as businesses were crashing, banks were closing. The life of comfort and luxury was over for many Americans, as living on the streets became a harsh reality. The construction of "Hoovervilles" outside major cities were swamped with the poor and homeless desperately seeking any kind of job. Unfortunately, President Wilson could do nothing but sit and watch his beloved country struggle and suffer. However, once Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected in 1933, the spirits of hopeless Americans were rejuvinated by his first inaugural address. He begins his speech stating that "our distress comes from no failure of substances." He wants to acknowledge that the hardships experienced are not things that the public can control but that perseverance and cooperation were necessary to change the present circumstances. "We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for. Nature still offers her bounty and human efforts have multiplied it. Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply." He goes on to say that it was the money changers which had lead to the failure of the banks. He states that the restoration of our great country is up to the extent in which we apply social values rather than solely profiting monetarily. Roosevelt demonstrates his trust in the American people that by working together, the country could again become economically stable and then prosperous once again. Roosevelt declared that he wished to implement action in the restoration of America at that very moment. Roosevelt stepped away from Wilson's ideas of letting the people solve the problems of the nation and decided to take charge and direct the nation so the country could then be repaired and replenished.

LAD #32: Kellogg Briand Peace Pact

The Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact declared a “renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy” to promote the welfare of mankind through peace, and specifically without the use of violence. With the refusal of war as a tool in the national policy, cooperation between nations of the world in a common rejection of war is necessary in order to make this the national policy of every nation in the world. The treaty then states that if a nation does use war or violence to promote itself in any way, then it will not receive the benefits of the Peace Pact. The treaty also placed criticism in the use of war to solve internal problems within the nation as well as "international controversies." Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Kingdom of the Serbs, Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Siam, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Panama all signed the Act. These coutnries participated in signing this act with the belief that they would reap the benefits of cooperating peacefully with other nations and that if any sort of warfare was used, then that nation would automatically be excluded from the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact.

LAD #31: President Wilson's 14 Points

Many participant in the war expressed their desire for peace among the nations. Many issues had erupted and there was an obvious need for negotiation. Wilson wanted to reassert the reason for the involvement of the United States in the war. He reminded them that they were fighting for the safety of our country and democracy. He then listed his 14 Points which included:

1) No private alliances internationally and diplomacy will be present and open to the public.
2) Freedom of the seas even during wartimes.
3) Equal trade among all nations that desire peace as well as no new barriers constructed.
4) The reduction of the national army to while still maintaing domestic safety.
5) In colonies, the interests of the people must have equal importance to that of the government.
6) Evacutation of Russia in order for its development.
7) Restoration of Beligium.
8) French territories will be freed and France will be righted to ensure peace and cooperation in the future.
9) Italian frontiers to be righted among clear nationalities.
10) Austria-Hungary will have opportunities to autonomous development.
11) Balkan states will be evacuated.
12) Turkish portion will have secure sovereignty.
13) An independent Polish state will be built.
14) The League of Nations will be created.

LAD #30: Schenck vs. US

Schneck vs. the United States on March 23rd in 1919 was a  case which backed the Espionage Act of 1917. The Espionage Act denied any interference or involvemnet in military plans and operations. Despite the protection of freedom of speech by the first amendment, Schenck’s distribution of printed documents posed a grave threat therefore leading Congress using their right to cease his actions. Schenck’s messages were: “"Do not submit to intimidation” and to “Assert your rights”. His passionate and intense document was to prevent the draft. “It denied the power to send our citizens away to foreign shores to shoot up the people of other lands, and added that words could not express the condemnation such cold-blooded ruthlessness deserves”. This was the "clear and present danger" , which consisted of information about the draft and many arguements fighting it. In many cases, the context of the words in which one speaks and the nature they were spoken in are the leading determinant in if the Congress has a clear path to defend. For example,“The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic. It does not even protect a man from an injunction against uttering words that may have all the effect of force.” Schenck simply commited a crime that was an obstruction of the recruiting services.  In the Schneck vs. the United States, Schenck was found guilty and was sent to jail for six months. He had appealed to the Supreme Court because he felt his right to freedom of speech had been violated.

LAD #29: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

In the early 1900's large businesses and corporations aided the United States for economic reasons byt gave little thought to the American people, especially those working for them.Workers in cities suffered grueling conditions, long hours and little pay. Often times, instead of working toward an education, children would be working day and night in factories, mills, and farms in order to bring in an additional profit for their family, even if just a small one. Problems in the workforce were worsened for young children as they did not have labor laws to protect their rights and they were often hired solely because they could fit into small, dangerous spaces and they could be payed less. Men and organizations like Lewis Hine and the National Child Labor Committee worked endlessly to put a halt to the atrocities. In 1916, their goal was achieved with the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act being put into action, making strides to reform many of the hardships that working youth faced. Its goal was to restrict child labor which would lead to more open jobs for adult men. The act prohibited the sale of goods produced in factories by children under 14 years old, and mines operated by children under 16 years of age. Furhtermore, the Keating-Own Child Labor Act prevented children under 16 from working more than 8 hours a day, or at night. Unfortunately, the act was soon declared unconstitutional, however the next attempt to limit child labor came with the Revenue Act of 1919. Again, this stride towards reform for children was declared unconstitutional. It was not until 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act was finally passed and still remains in place today.

LAD #28: Wilson's First Inaugural

When Democrat Woodrow Wilson took office, the shift from predominantly Republican to Democratic took place. In his presidential address, he acknowledged the that Democrats now made up a majority of Congress, acquiring more influence in the government. However, he also stated that power within a political party is meaningless unless people use it reform and carry out necessary changes. Wilson also recognized the problems facing the nation such as large businesses and corportatioins taking advantage of the government and society as a whole. While these successful industries were economic advantages of the United States, their impact on the people needed to be considered. During his address Wilson additionally mentioned his disapproval of an extensive tariff, taxation, as well as businesses overtaking the government and people of America. Wilson put a specific emphasis on the need and continuance of social reform, showing support for advances in sanitation and labor reforms. He finishes his presidential address with the statement that this day should be a day that marks the dedication of the American people and Democratic party to a common cause.

LAD #27: The Clayton Anti-Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was passed by Woodrow Wilson's administration after being introduced by Alabama Democrat Henry De Lamar Clayton Jr in October, 1914. The act was ordained to strengthen the power of government in dealing with monopolies, a vital part of the process. It also aided to set a foundation for the regulation of business presently practiced by the government. Before, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was the only act which allowed the government to be involved in the control of  large businesses.Theodore Roosevelt utilized the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in order to become America's first trust buster. Furthermore, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act regulated the decisions of powerful corporations which often times got away with unlawful transactions.The most significant difference between the two acts is that the Clayton Anti-Trust Act can not be used against labor unions. However, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was indeed utilized hover and impend upon labor unions such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor. The new act allowed labor unions to be formed and activities such as boycotts, picketing, and strikes to be carried out without government interference. In the end, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act is still fulfilling its purpose as it is used in our present government.

LAD #26: MLK's 'I Have a Dream' Speech

Martin Luther King Jr. is still most often the first to come to mind when thinking of a civil rights activist, relying solely upon peaceful protest and civil disobedience such as Mahatma Gandhi. King is continually recognized as a powerful and moving writer and speaker. Two of his most prominent works including his letter from Birmingham jail as well as his "I Have a Dream" speech have remained examples of rhetorical strategy and argument for decades. Today, they are still studied and analyzed by high school students and even prominent writers. King began his revolutionary "I Have a Dream" speech by declaring that it would be one of the most inspiring speeches in America which clearly was true. In his opening he begins with "Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation", an allusion to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address. He goes on to speak of the Emancipation Proclamation which was meant to free the slaves and bring about equality, however it was unsuccessful. Blacks still faced countless prejudices and even dealt with the emergence of the Jim Crow Laws. They virtually received alteration in their rights as American citizens. With this, King states that change needs to take place now and that the American people, no matter one's race, need to come together and be treated as equals. He expresses his feelings that blacks need to receive and have their rights acknowledged in order for peace to emerge in America. He says that things willl not be satisfied until prejudices are put aside and until the "white only" signs are put away and everyone is treated as equals. With this, he begins his famous "I Have a Dream" section of the speech using parallel structure to create an overwhelming amount of emotion and imagery, with the words that inspired a nation.

LAD #25: Dawes Act

The Dawes Act other known as the Dawes General Allotment Act, was a law established and passed by congress in 1887, regarding the Indian policy. The law focused on  how reservations would be divided into sections of land assigned to individuals. Each head of a family was given one-quarter of a section. Every single person over the age of eighteen as well as each orphan child under the age of eighteen was given one-eighth of a section. Lastly, each other single person under eighteen was assigned one-sixteenth of a section. Lands that were not given to Indians were open to settlement by non-Indians and  for the continued development of railroads.Even if a Native American did not live on a reservation, they were still entitled to their plot of land, and they would receive a patent for it which would be protected by the government. The act emphasized individual land ownership, which contrasted the unity and culture previously held by many Indians living in communal villages. In a way, the act can be seen an attempt at assimilation and to further deprive the Indians of their lands in order to use them for development of infastructure, especially railroads.

LAD #24: Cross of Gold Speech

In William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech he focuses on the inflation rates and of whether silver should be freely coined at a 16:1 ration with gold. He states that he is speaking on the behalf of the people of business, not the capitalists but the hardworking businessmen. He then go on to say how he speaks in order to create an accepted resolution that benefits the American people. He knows that Americans have tried to speak but in the past have not been heard. He wanted to avoid the defiant response that the people could carry out in order to be heard and get what they want. Many spoke their disagreement of Bryan's ideas and policies,saying that his income tax was unconstitutional but Bryan responded by saying "You shall not crucify mankind on a cross of gold." However, Bryan responded reiterated that it was constitutional until otherwise noted. Bryan also notes that the government needs retain control of the currency and attempt to improve the strength of the government. He believed that reform needed to take place in order to better the country. He concludes his speech by stating that America needs to remain strong as well as keep the gold standard to retain the image as the powerful United States of America. He was later nominated by the Democratic national convention in Chicago to run as the party's candidate in the 1896, 1900 and 1908 presidential elections after delivering his famous speech.

LAD #23- The Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party gained significant recognition with their emergence in the 1880's and 1890's. They were at their highest prominence in the 1890’s, being regarded as a true third party. Their platform of 1892 had three foremost constituents, which were the preamble, the platform, and the expression of sentiments. In the preamble the party states the hinderances of America and the things that continue to hold back our country. They discuss the deflation of silver, the corruptness of the ballot-box, and the significant amount of dominance exhibited from the other parties. They go on to say that theywish to repair and better the government by reinstating American power to the hands of the “plain people.” Furthermore in their discussion of their platform, they spoke of three major factors, being finance, transportation, and land. Financially they demanded free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the present legal ration of 16 to 1. They also requested a graduated income tax as well as postal savings banks being established by the government safe deposits by citizens and to encourage exchange. In regards to transportation, the Populist Party said that the government should have ownership of railroads, while the public should own and operate the telegraph and telephone. Finally, they stated that land should not be monopolized since it is property of the American people. Their Expression of Sentiments state the plans for the resolution of these issues in which they believed to be of importance. They determinedly proposed various different plans of action in order to resolve these hinderances and ultimately better America.

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

In April 1895 and on, disputes were continually taking place between the Spanish and Cubans, as Cuba wished to gain independence from Spain's rule. Soon after, in part due to the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine, the United States supporting the Cuban cause. McKinley stated the United States was extremely affected by the war from both its gruesomeness as well as its negative effect on the economy and trade relations. McKinley continued although the war had been ongoing for three years, that was no clear outcome emerging leading him to say that the United States needed tobecome neutral or act as a military ally to one of the countries in order to see results in this conflict. McKinley that it was most important for the fighting and bloodshed to cease as quickly as possible which is a major reason for the intervention from the United States.He also statet that a major reason for intervention was to protect the citizens of Cuba as well as our own economy, government and even freedom.