LAD Blog #37 Brown vs., Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas

During and before the 1950's racial segregation was normal throughout society, including schools. Theses separate schools were designed to be equal, but of course were not. A third grader named Linda Brown had to walk a mile to get to school everday, even though she lived much closer to a white elementary school. As a result of this inconvience, her father attempted for her to attend the white school and when they refused, her father went to McKinely Burnett head of the NAACP. On June 25 1951, the District of Kansas listened to Browns case, with the statement that separate schools suggested the blacks were inferior to whites. Stating that separate, but equal are not equal. Also, that the childrens schooling will later effect them and prepare them for the life they will live as an adult. They later appealed to the Supreme Court on October 1, 1951 and their case challenged school segregation in other schools. It was not until May 17 1954, that the Supreme Court had their unanimous decesion that under the 14th amendemnt that they cannot be depreved of the equal protection under the law and that the schools were not separate, but equal and she was able to attend the white school. This decesion only affected certain

areas.

LAD Blog #36 Truman Doctrine

On March 12 1947, Truman spoke on behalf of promoting Democracy and withholding Communism in and out of the United States. Truman stated that he wished to support Turkey and Greece from Communism and secure them as a Democratic. This showed that at this time the most important thing to the United States was the containment of Communism and this document was the first step. Truman wanted to support these nations both economically and militarily. Both Greece and Turkey were struggling after the war and Truman stated that 400 million dollars would be used to help them. This document was successful in the efforts of containment during the Cold War.

LAD Blog #35 FDR's Executive Order #9066

As a result of the devastating bombing on Pearl Habor, the President and the public became concerned with the Japanese as a whole. They became very cautious with Japanese Americans as they began to view them as threats. The fear of another bombing forced the passing of the Executive Order of #9066, this allowed the military to set up areas for Japanese families. Many Japanses as well as other families such as people with German ancestory were forced into these relocation camps. Although these people were viewed as traitors, FDR made sure that these areas had proper supplies, transportation and that they were treated respectfully.

LAD Blog # 34 FDR's Declaration of War

FDR addresses the disastrous event of Pearl Habor on December 7th 1941 and how this traumatic event lead to the decesion to go to war. This assured the public that this event would not go unnoticed nor unacted upon. The fact that Japan had attacked many other countries as well played a role.By saying "With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God." Rooselvelt's decesion to declare war was FDR's way of saying the Americans and the United States needed to take a stand against Japan. Showing that the United States would not take the hostility or agreesion from Japan.

LAD Blog #33 FDR's First Inaugural Address

FDR gave his first inaugural address on Saturday, March 4, 1933, he began speaking by exclaiming that he is going to speak the truth. Going on to say that the United States will endure whatever comes its way and famously states that the people have nothing to fear, but fear itself. Asking for the peoples support in the darkest of times. Roosevelt mentions the differences in American culture and ideals now. Stating that there are some dark times, but the United States can prevail, as well as all their hardwork will pay off. He also states "Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."Roosevelt knew that times were tough and believed that with a strong government as well as the support of the people he would be able to fix Americas issues. He planned to fix unemployment and by fixing this problem, would slowly help build up the economy. Roosevelt felt that this time in America would help americans learn for the future to prevent the chance of another crisis. Promising that with his guidance and planning the United States would improve.

LAD Blog #32 Kellogg Briand Peace Pact

The Kellogg Brin Peace Pact was signed and used between the United States, France, Japan, Itlaly, Great Britain as well as many other nations. This Peace Pact was designed to denounce war on foreign countries, in hopes that this would help stimulate and help other countries economy from its suffering during and directly after the Great War. This also allowed the countries negoiate to be war free and maintain peace after the war. At first this document was only between the United States and France, but later added the other nations. Some countries joined the Pact was signed, such as Spain and Afghanistan. Once this treaty of peace was signed and ratified, as the leaders of the pact, it was the United States responsibilty to enforce it.

LAD Blog #31 President Wilson's 14 Points

After Russia removed themselves from WWI and had made a treaty with Germany, President Wilson found it necessary to join the war effort. His reasons included perserving democracy as well as others based on economic and social reasons. Wilson created his Fourteen Point Plan to united the world in order and peace. Stating, "The program of the world's peace, therefore, is our program; and that program, the only possible program, as we see it, is this:" going on to list out his points. Some of these include, the removal of economic barriers, applying to trade, as well as having a free and open mind about colonies by observing them.
Another point was to end secret treaties, as well as deal with reaquistion of lost territories to the country of Russia, France, Italy and Belgium. Lastly, a major point was a League of Nations, to further support the idea of uniting peacefully.

LAD Blog #30 Schenck vs. US case

As a socialist Charles Schenck believed the war would only benefit the rich and hurt the poor. In order to support his cause he participated in several anti-war activities, which included mailing circulars to draftees. Stating that "a monstrous wrong motivated by the capitalist system". These however were in violation of the Espionage Act. Therefore in 1917 he was arrested for working against the war effort. He appealed his case to the Supreme Court saying that the Espionage Act violated the first amendment right of freedom of speech. The court unanimously decided that he is not protected in this situation.  Holmes decided that Schneck's actions were a "clear and present danger" to the country for working against the war effort and concluding that things that are allowed during times of peace may be rejected during times of war.

LAD Blog #29 Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

  Child labor in America was a rising problem during these times as a result of the poverty of americans so, families needed everyone to work. The working conditions were terrible causing children to work for 10-12 hours a day in unsanitary, dangerous conditions increasing their risk of become injured and even killed. Upon Senator Beveridge's proposal, Congress passed the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act in 1916. Using the federal government's power to regulate interstate commerce, the bill regulated child labor in the factories. The Keating-Owens act was proposed in 1906 and the act "banned the sale of products from any factory, shop, or cannery that employed children under the age of 14, from any mine that employed children under the age of 16, and from any facility that had children under the age of 16 work at night or for more than 8 hours during the day." This act was passed by Woodrow Wilson although it was found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court case Hammer vs. Dagenhart. Eventually the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was created and is still in effect today.

LAD Blog #28 Wilson's First Inaugural

March 4th 1913, Wilson began his inaugural speech by addressing the change of government, with the 
switch of House to Democrats. Stating that he will explain what this complete change to democrats will mean. As it not only represents the success of a party, but also reclaiming the change and success is to a greater extent to the use of this party by the nation for a "large and definite purpose." Commenting on the aspects of old and new ways in life. He noticed that in his election a mandate from the public to sanitize and purify the American way of life and business by returning it to what it was like many years ago; a society based on morals and respect. As well as that there are many new great things in life including industries, the thought of the individual and women's contributions to the nation. Wilson also planned to pass legislation regulating many industries, such as the Pure Food and Drug Act. President's Wilson's speech was overall hopeful for the future.

LAD Blog #27 Clayton Anti-Trust Act

In 1914, Clayton's act explains the further laws against unlawful restraints and monopolies. Stating that those who engage in commerce cannot discriminate prices towards different groups. Applying to different areas. Also that "nothing herein contained shall precent persons engaged in selling good, wares or merchandised in commerce from selecting their own costumers."Section 3 states any person in commerce involved with making leases, sales and contracts, must have a fixed price charged, discount and rebate as to level the playing field for competitors. Concluding it is unlawful to have these things that substantially lessen competition and create a monopoly. Section 7 says that no corporation engaged in commerce shall acquire, the whole or any part of the stock of another company involved in commerce which by doing so would lessen competition. The law more or less did not allow the lessing of competition as to build up your own business or trust.

LAD Blog #26 MLK's "I have a dream speech"

       Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech is one of the most well known speeches ever given. The purpose of this speech was to call together all people, of every color to end the mistreatment of blacks that had been occurring without stop for centuries in America. He describes his dream for racial equality for all those within the United States. Also, that he and the his movement would not stop until the Negro people were given complete and utter racial equality where they could attain the rights promised them by the Constitution (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness). His speech was meant to push people to stand up to injustices such as this and push themselves towards achieving equality for themselves. King starts his speech by declaring that the first significant move toward racial equality began when the slaves were freed under the Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. However, there has no real improvement since then as a result of segregation and discrimination. He proclaims that those factors have caused negro people to be forced to live in poverty, exiled in their own land. King also mentions the foundation of America and the fundamentals of all men are created equal. His major point was that they should stand up for themselves as civilly, respectfully and be as sophisticated about the matter as possible. King believed that violence is never the answer to such a delicate situation as fighting for equality for blacks in America. In regard to his movement King urges that negroes keep their protests peaceful and to do so without bitterness or hatred of whites as their freedom depends on each other. With that statement King calls for an end to the negative attitudes  of the white people in regard to the discrimination, lack of suffrage, and the physical violence displayed toward negroes. King's final part of his speech states that his dream is based within the American Dream, that whites and blacks will be able to coexist peacefully and that people will be judged by their character and not the color of their skin. This statement alone, makes Martin Luther King Jr's speech as well as him as person extremely well known for years to follow.

LAD Blog #25 Dawes Severalty Act of 1877

The Dawes Act, approved by Congress in February of 1887, provided for the relocation of Indians to specified reservations. It was one of the early attempts to help "Americanize" native Americans so that they would have a better chance of assimilating into society eventually and this government action aimed to do just so.This document stated that all Indians would be assigned a section of land to live on; this land could also be surveyed at any time. The act also designated how much land each person would be appropriated. Naturally, the head of the family received the most land. However, if they were not given land in a reservation, Indians were permitted to live elsewhere in the United States. The Dawes Act specified that this act was only binding for 25 years. At that point, the president could make the decision whether or not to extend its life. The act provides that all Indians will have the benefit of being under American law and will have equal rights as Americans. The government retained its power to use the land for any public use it deemed necessary or helpful.

LAD Blog #24 William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech

William Jennings Bryan on July 9, 1896, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The issue was whether to endorse the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. This would have increased the amount of money in circulation and aided poor farmers. Byran ran for President in 1896, 1900 and 1908. Bryan believes, and shows this belief in his speech, that the “money question” is the dominant issue in America and in the election. He supports the working men. He also praises people like Andrew Jackson for wanting to remove power from the wealthy and return that power to the common man. Byran strongly supports the income tax and the coinage of silver. He stated that he does not want the wealthy to “crucify mankind on a cross of gold”. His party was also known as the silver democrats and in his speech you could tell he felt strongly about his views.

LAD:Blog #23: The Populist Party Platform

The Populist Movement began in the 1870's and 1890's. The Populist Party appeeared as a third party as a repsonse to the growth of industrialism, opposing the "concentrated capital" The Populist believed that there was alot of corruption in concerns to voting. Arguing that people do not truly have a voice and the working men are denied basic rights. The believe that silver should be accpeted as money and that the supply of currency is purposely limited. Claiming that there is a conspiracy against mankind. They stated that "

We seek to restore the government of the Republic to the hands of the "plain people." " Populist want the government to expand and to end oppression. Their platform included various ideas concerning a maintence of labor forces, finance, and transportation. With finance they hoped for free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold. They wanted the government to own and operate the railroads. Also, they stated that the land should not be monopolized. They included an expression of sentinments that demanded a free ballot, revenue derived frome income tax and opposed national aid to any private corporations.