LAD #37 Brown v. Board of Education

In Topeka, Kansas a third grader, Linda Brown, had to walk a long distance in order to get to her school even though there was a school that was truly in walking distance from her house. However, that school was an all white school which normally would not be a problem except for the fact that Linda Brown was an African American. She wasn't allowed to go to the white school because she was of a different race/skin color. Her father attempted to enroll her at the school, but the principal shot it down so Oliver Brown went to the NAACP. The NAACP argued on the side of Linda Brown and a case was brought to the Supreme Court. The Board of Education argued that going to a segregated school would just prepare the children for the segregation (and discrimination) that they would have to face when they became adults. The judges agreed with the expert witnesses' reports that segregated schools had a detrimental effect on African American children. Chief Justice Earl Warren read the unanimous decision of the court which was to allow Linda Brown to go to school at the white school (basically integrating schools). This shot down the originally upheld Plessy v. Ferguson and ended the "separate, but equal" belief. The verdict, however, did not end segregation in public places, but it was a start considering this is now coming close to one hundred years after the Civil War.

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was given in 1947. At this time the United States and the Soviet Union were in a cold war due to differing political ideologies. The United States represented capitalism and Democracy while the Soviet Union represented Communism. The Truman Doctrine marked on the first times that America expressed a policy of containment which was the main goal of the cold war for the United States. The policy of containment is to allow Communism, but to keep it from spreading to any other country. Truman felt the United States was in a position, as a world power, where it needed to interfere in foreign affairs to maintain democracy. Truman, in the doctrine, asked Congress to support Greece and Turkey. Both Greece and Turkey were struggling financially at this time and they were surrounded by the Eastern Communist Bloc in Europe. These countries were at a risk of falling to Communism which Truman hoped, with financial help from the US, would not happen. The thought was that if Turkey and Greece were stable they would have a better chance at fighting off the Soviets. Truman mentioned that Britain was unable to support these countries because they were also struggling to make ends meet. It was America's time to step up and preserve freedom and democracy. In his conclusion, Truman states that if the US does not help Greece and Turkey it could put the country and the rest of the democratic world in danger.

LAD #35 FDR's Executive Order #9066

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the people of the United States were wary of the Japanese. This included Japanese American citizens. Japanese Americans that were living in the United States were especially prone to suspicious stares. This group of people was seen as a threat to national security because the Japanese were responsible for bombing Pearl Harbor and when one group is responsible for a tragic event people generalize that the whole group or race is responsible. The paranoia and fear that occurred as a result of Pearl Harbor caused the executive order #9066 to be put into action. This order allowed the Secretary of War to construct military areas in which "any or all person may be excluded". FDR gave the decision on who should enter these areas over to the Secretary. The order states the Secretary is authorized to provide food, transportation, shelter, and other accommodations for these groups. He grants the Secretary the power to enforce compliance with these laws and grants them the usage of Federal troops. Although no specific group is mentioned it is heavily implied, especially after the Pearl Harbor attack, that Japanese Americans will be the group that is relocated.

LAD #34 FDR's Declaration of War

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was quick to ask Congress for a declaration of war. Most of the country was in a furor over the attack and demanded that something be done. FDR states that the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th 1941 will be "a date which will live in infamy". He then goes on to address that the Japanese government was acting as if everything, including relations with the US was practically alright. In addition, he reports how Japan has attacked numerous areas and is acting in a hostile way in the Pacific. FDR asks Americans to take a stand, declare war and fight against Japan. He wants not only victory for the US, but also to show that America will not be bullied without ramifications to the enemy. America would indeed go to war. The declaration was signed and a few days later Germany declared war on the US. World War II for the US had begun.

LAD #33 FDR's First Inaugural Address

Franklin Delano Roosevelt recognizes that the start his presidency faces a long arduous journey through an economic depression. FDR made sure that he told people that the crisis was not as debilitating as the American people may have believed, even though the Great Depression did loom over the country. One of the most famous quotes of FDR's inaugural address is his "firm belief" that "the only thing [America had] to fear was fear itself." He stated this to the American people while staying resolute. It was this hope that characterized his first inaugural that also was prevalent during his presidency. FDR was not only foolishly hopeful, he was also a realist. He recognized the poor state and the shambles of the economy. The economy left farmers without markets, families without savings, industry without trade, and men without hope of regaining lost sums and without hope that the depression would end. Although FDR did not condemn the men's living styles he did not leave unmarred the practices and the society that focused on self-achievement and personal wealth. Instead, he maintained that the ethics of the nation must change to benefit the many. This was a mentality that he employed in his claim to put people back to work. Some other relief actions that he did included redistributing the population from the overcrowded cities by unifying relief efforts. He also raised the value of agriculture goods, and reducing the cost of Federal, State and Local governments. FDR also realized the urgency of the domestic problems and promised to cure the problems before any restoration of trade from abroad. To end his inaugural address FDR further developed his policy of collective action of self-sacrifice in the tradition of the early days of democracy and the Constitution which has endured through wars, panics and other problems. FDR ended his address with this confidence, looking toward the future with a pragmatic sense of optimism for the coming years.

LAD #32 Kellogg Briand Peace Pact

The Kellogg-Briand Pact began to be written after the Great War. Many countries that had been involved wanted to ensure that indefinite peace would be a possibility. These countries decided to collaborate to make a pact. Some of the consenting members of the treaty were the leaders of the United States, France, Belgium, Canada, the Dominion of New Zealand, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, the free state of Ireland, the Australian Commonwealth, South Africa, Japan, Czechoslavakia, Poland, and others. These representatives/countries chose to abide by the practice of passive action to resolve any problems. They denounced war as a barbaric practice that should be ruled out as a diplomacy measure. The first article of the pact outlawed war to solve international problems. The second stipulated that all conflicts should and could be resolved via other diplomatic solutions. The third article stated that the treaty would remain open for other countries that were not included in the original members. Other countries would be allowed to join should they decide to rule out war as a facet of foreign policy. Article Three also gave the United States the responsibility of providing all of the abiding nations with a written copy of the Treaty after the provisions were ratified in Washington.

LAD #31 Wilson's Fourteen Points

After the Great War, leaders and delgates from many of the nations involved met in Versailles, France on November of 1918 to negotiate terms of peace. The goals of Wilson and the other leaders varied as most European nations wanted to punish Germany for being the aggressor versus Wilson who wanted peace within all the nations. He proposed a plan of 14 points that would hopefully prevent another world war, only one was used in the Treaty of Versailles:
1. No more secret alliances
2. Freedom of the seas
3. No economic barriers
4. Reduction of arms
5. Self-government in colonies
6. Evacuation of Russian territory
7. Evacuation and restoration of Belgium
8. Evacuation and restoration of French territories
9. Readjustment of Italy's Borders
10. Austria-Hungary accorded the freest oppurtunity to autonomous development
11. Romania, Serbia and Montenegro should be evacuated and restored.
12. The Turkish portion of the present Ottoman Empire should be assured a secure sovereignty.
13. Polish Indepence
14. Creation of a league of nations in an attempt to avoid more world wars (only one adopted in Treaty of Versailles).

LAD Schenck vs. US

The Schenck vs. US trial began on March 3rd 1919. The issue concerned teh United States mail shipped by the socialist pary in the early 1990s. The actions that were going on were in violation of the previously passed Espionage Act of 1917. The Chief Justice, Holmes, claimed that the defendant was causing insubordination of US troops during WWI. Schenck had become involved because he was the Secretary of the Socialist Party and sent almost 16,000 brochures that encouraged men to dodge the draft. The draft was put into place during The Great War. Dodging the draft is and was illegal. In the end, the judge found the defendant guilty as charged for presenting a clear and present danger.

LAD #29 Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

In the early 1900's large businesses and corporations aided the United States for economic reasons. However, these large businesses gave little thought to the American people, especially those working for them. Workers in cities suffered gruesome conditions like long hours and little pay. There was no regulation that gave a minimum wage or minimum hours. Often times, children would be working day and night in factories in order to bring in additional profit for their family instead of going to school for an education. Problems in the workplace were worsened for young children because they did not have labor laws to protect their rights and they were often hired solely because they could fit into small spaces and could be payed less than an adult. Organizations like the National Child Labor Committee worked endlessly to put a halt to the atrocities. The goal was achieved with the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act which was being put into action. This made strides to reform many of the hardships working youth faced. Its goal was to restrict child labor which would lead to more open jobs for adult men. The act prohibited the sale of goods produced by child under the age of 14 and mines operated by children under 16 years of age. The Act also prevented children under 16 from working more than 8  hours a day or at night. The Act was soon declared unconstitutional as was the next act, the Revenue Act of 1919. It would not be until 1938 that the Fair Labor Standards Act was finally passed and still remains in place.

LAD #28 Wilson's First Inaugural

Woodrow Wilson took office as a democrat which showed the shift from Republicans to Democrats. In his presidential address, Wilson acknowledged that Democrats now made up the majority of Congress. However, he stated that power within a political party is meaningless unless people use it to reform and carry out necessary changes that benefit the country. Wilson also recognized the problems that were facing the nation like the big businesses/corporations. These big businesses were taking advantage of the government's previous laissez-faire/pro-business policy and the society as a whole. The impact of the businesses on the people of America needed to be assessed and considered. During the address Wilson also mentioned his disapproval of an extensive tariff, taxation, as well as businesses overtaking the government and the people of the United States. Wilson put a specific emphasis on the need of social reform. He showed support for advances in sanitation and labor reforms. He finishes his address with the statement that this day should be a day that marks the dedication of the American people and Democratic party to a common cause.

LAD #27 Clayton's Anti-Trust Act

During the end of the 1800's, government's laissez faire/pro-business policy led to widespread trusts and monopolies. These businesses controlled the markets and took advantage of workers and consumers. They were able to raise prices which led to more profits for them. Some steps were taken in legislation like the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the ICC. However, they were usually not readily enforced and in some cases were used against the workers. When trust-busting Theodore Roosevelt came down on big business and began to regulate trusts and monopolies, a breakthrough came in 1914 with the passing of Clayton's Anti-Trust Act. The act was meant to break up monopolies and trusts. The act stated that no corporation could own the stock of another. The act also stated that fixing prices on goods and transportation was illegal. The Clayton Act could not be used against workers versus the Sherman Anti-trust Act which was used against workers. The act was meant to strengthen the power of the government in dealing with monopolies.

LAD #26 MLK Jr "I Have a Dream"

In Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech he describes his dream for racial equality for all those in the United States. He said that the movement, headed by himself, would not stop until black people were given the complete racial equality that they deserved and were promised by the Constitution as citizens of the US. He begins his speech by declaring the first significant move toward equality began when the slaves were freed under Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. He states that since then there has been no real forward progress which King attributes to the lack of freedom of blacks. This would be due to segregation and racial discrimination. He says that due to these factors the black people are forced to live in poverty. He digs further to say that since the foundation of the United States the country was designed that all men be equal. He makes sure that it is known the movement has a goal and will not stop until that goal is met. He urges the black people to keep their protests and displays peaceful and to do so without bitterness towards the whites as the freedom of blacks depends on the white men. King calls for the discrimination, lack of suffrage, and physical violence to end. He concludes his speech by stating his dream is rooted within the American Dream, that whites and blacks will be able to coexist without violence and people will be judged based on character not skin color.

LAD #25 Dawes Severalty Act of 1877

The Dawes Act was approved by Congress in February of 1887. The act provided for the relocation of Native Americans to reservations. This was an attempt to "Americanize" Native Americans. Congress believed Native Americans would have a better chance of assimilating into the American society. The act stated that all Natives would be assigned a certain section of land to live off of (these were reservations). The land could be surveyed at anytime. Each person would be appropiated a designated amount of land, the law states. If they were not given reservation land Native Americans were permitted to live elsewhere in the US. This act was only binding for 25 years, and after 25 years the president could make the choice to extend it or kill it. It provides all Natives with being under American law and equal rights. However, the government retained its power to use the land when necessary or helpful for the public.

LAD #24 Cross of Gold Speech

William Jennings Bryan gave his "Cross of Gold" speech on July 9th, 1896 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to convince people to support the free coinage of silver at a ration of 16 to 1. The Democratic party supported bimetallism, but many, especially businessmen, did not favor bimetallism. The rich did not want to support bimetallism because they believed it would harm their business and because Britain does not practice bimetallism. However, Bryan states that if the United States were to change to bimetallism, Britain would change or be forced to change as well. Bryan compares the decision between gold and silver to the rich and the "struggling masses". He says that if one were to burn the cities, they cities would rise again, but if a farm was burned then suffering would ensue on the masses. With the support of laborers and commercial interest they will fight and say "you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."

LAD #23 The Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party emerged in the 1870's/80's, but became most prominent and a viable third party in the 1890's. There are three major components of the Populist Party Platform. There is the preamble, the platform, and the expression of the sentiments. In the preamble the party explains what they believe to be what's been going wrong in America. They believe silver has been demoralized, corruption dominates the ballot-box, and how controlling influences dominate parties. They state that they can fix the government by restoring American power to the hands of the "plain" people. In the platform they talk about finance, transportation, and land. In finance they want free and unlimited coinage of silver with gold at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1. They also wanted a graduated income tax, and that postal savings banks be established by the government for the safe deposit of the earnings of the people and to facilitate exchange. For transportation they believed the government should own all the railroads. They believed the public should own and operate the telegraph and telephone. For land, they say that land should not be monopolized because it is the heritage of all the people. In the Expression of Sentiments they state how they are going to resolve many of these problems. For example they will use the secret ballot system and shorten hours of labor.

LAD #22 McKinley's War Message

Conflict in Cuba arose, and the United States plus McKinley recognized that action would need to be taken. They sent a diplomat to Madrid where the Spanish agreed to adhere to US wishes. McKinley did not trust that Spain would hold true to the agreement so he delivered a message to Congress explaining why intervention with the military was crucial in Cuba.
He began by addressing the issue, Spain had been fighting Cuba for many years and it was getting out of control. It was necessary that the US come in and protect the neighboring islands from foreign control. Americans also had invested a lot of capital into Cuba which was now at risk.
They wanted to maintain neutrality, but it was difficult to "sit back and watch". McKinley wanted to avoid war, favoring peaceful non-militaristic approaches.
If the US had to intervene, conditions were established.
1. Put an end to barbarities, bloodshed, and starvation existing in Cuba.
2. Owe it to citizens in Cuba to afford them protection and indemnity for life and property.
3. Can intervene because American trade, commerce, and business has been destroyed and affected (rebels burned sugar cane plantations).
4. There are atrocities Spain has inflicted upon the US in different means.

Incidents had previously occurred against the US from Spain due to the fighting. He ends with saying that Congress needs to terminate the hostilities between Spain and Cuba for the interest of humanity.