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.