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.