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.

LAD Blog #22 McKinley's War Message

McKinley opened his war message with "In the name of humanity...The war in Cuba must stop." Given after Cuba revolted in 1895 against their Spanish rulers. He gave his speech in April 11 1898. McKinley stated that his main reason for going to war is because of the "crisis that has arisen in the relations of the United States to Spain by reason of the warfare that for more than three years has raged in the neighboring island of Cuba. . . ." Believing that the war between Cuba and Spain should be ended as a soon as possible. McKinley seems to be using the raging civil war almost as an excuse to attack the Spanish and place the island of Cuba under control of the United States. McKinley argues that the United States has had problems keeping their promise of neutrality with the crisis in Cuba, and that Spain has offended the United States with its "exercise of cruel, barbarous, and uncivilized practice of warfare". McKinley wanted an armistice to the war between Cuba and Spain so America could regain its lost economic assets in the country and try to revive the ailing economy. McKinley also wants to put an end to the atrocities that were taking place in Cuba under the Spanish government. He also states that the sinking of the USS Maine was a clear indicator of the conditions in Cuba and that direct intervention is necessary to protect American interests. Finally, he mentions how Spain notified America two days ago that they were suspending hostilities in Cuba, and includes that he hopes Congress will take this fact into account. He closes the speech by saying " this measure attains a successful result, then our aspirations as a Christian, peace-loving people will be realized." Showing America's growing role as big brother in the Western Hemisphere. However, the final decision is left up to congress. 

LAD Blog #21 Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Carnegie begins his Gospel of Wealth by stating that the main problem of his age is the distribution of wealth and keeping the ties between the rich and the poor. Over the years human life has changed and the different between the wealthy and common man has increased. However, the change is beneficial because "ssential for the progress of the race, that the houses of some should be homes for all that is highest and best in literature and the arts, and for all the refinements of civilization". Saying that there needs to be a difference in peoples wealth for society to thrive. A big question during Carnegie's time was, how would the wealth be administered? Carnegie says there are 3 modes of administering wealth- passing it on through the family, giving it to the public, or having it administered during their life through those who possess it. He thought that the first and second mode were improper as it did not helpfully spread  the wealth. Some of his other beliefs were that the wealthy should not try to show too much extravagance but instead be modest and put their community’s needs before their own. Andrew Carnegie had many interesting views on how the wealthy should use their wealth to the fullest and his beliefs would not be expected from a wealthy man by being modest and not selfish.

LAD Blog #20 Emancipation Proclamation

The President used this document to free all slaves in the nation. Stating the the government of the United States with use of the mililtary will work to maintain the freedom of such persons. Also, they will not repress anyone from having such freedoms. Lincoln goes on to add that he will stop any rebellion or uprising against this. He list the areas in which slaves will now be free. Making a strong point that he stands by this by saying "And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service." Believing this act is an act of justic and warrented by the constitution, as well as his duty as president.