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.