LAD #37

Brown v. The Board of Education was a monumental court case in which the long-standing "separate but equal" clause was challenged. Linda Brown, an African American 3rd grader, was forced to walk for a mile through a dangerous area in order to get to her segregated African American school, while the nearest white school was only a few blocks away. Brown went to the NAACP for help, and they argued that the segregation sent the message to black children that they are inferior to whites, therefore rendering the segregated schools unequal. The Board made the case that the segregation was an effort to protect black children in that it prepared for them for future segregation. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Brown, putting an end to the "separate but equal clause".

LAD #36

President Truman delivered a speech before a joint session of Congress, which eventually led to the Truman Doctrine. He speaks of the potential implications of Communist dominance in Greece and Turkey, and the necessary actions the U.S needed to take in order to help prevent. Unlike the past, Truman realized that Communist control in foreign countries could have a dramatic impact on the landscape of the entire world; this is why the U.S was ditching the ideas of isolationism and working to preserve world democracy. As a result, he proclaimed that economic assistance would be given to both Turkey and Greece, as well as any nations in need of aid from authoritarian control. Giving aid to these countries would help prevent political and economic instability, and work towards the goal of world democracy.

LAD #35

Times of war call for acts to better the nation's internal defenses, as FDR does in his Executive Order No. 9066. He begins by stating that a successful war will require the utmost attention to the defenses of America. He then expands the powers of the military; he gives the Secretary of War the ability to ban any citizen within certain areas and have them sent to assembly areas for closer observation. This order was mainly geared towards Japanese-Americans; the country as a whole was wary of anyone of Japanese descent following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

LAD #34

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on the 7th of December, 1941 ("a day which will live in infamy"), FDR declares war, announcing the U.S's entry into WWII. He speaks of the deceitful ways of the Japanese, who had been feigning peace in preparation of this brutal attack on a critical American naval base. They had not wanted peace in the Pacific as they had implied, and it was because of this that FDR found it necessary and justified to go to war, as they needed to defend themselves. Through a decisive victory, he believed the U.S would never again be threatened as they had in this attack.

LAD #33

Franklin Roosevelt was elected president of the United States amidst tumultuous economic times for the country, and he acknowledged that he would have to manage this problem throughout the course of his term. He attempts to give the American citizens hope, saying that the Depression is something that can and will be defeated. This leads to his famous remark, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Unlike past presidents, he points out that the problems are due to a lack of competence from people with the ability to control such issues. He addresses his plan of action to go about solving the economic woes, and states the necessary steps to accomplish this. These included a need to instantly find jobs for the unemployed, a redistribution of wealth in the economy, and perhaps most importantly, a new system designed to prevent a future dip into such rough economic territory. He again assures the American people that if the country supports each other, they can see better days soon.

LAD #32

The Kellogg-Briand Pact was originally agreed between three world superpowers: France, the United States, and Germany. These nations agreed on the pact in an effort to prevent war from occurring in the future, and this was to be achieved through providing aid to nations across the world; they wanted countries to realize that war was not the only solution to problems and that there are many other potentially less costly ways to resolve disputes between nations. Even though the three nations were the first to sign the pact, they encouraged many other smaller countries to join in.

LAD #31

Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points were part of a statement he gave at the conclusion of the Great War. He advocated for a lenient agreement, as he believed that peace would be the most effective path. In the points, he includes the end of secret trades/diplomacy, equal trade, a reduction of arms and military, an evacuation of Russia and France, and the formation of the League of Nations. His terms were not accepted by all, however, as the allies of the U.S did not think the restrictions placed upon the Germans were not nearly strict enough. Wilson did what he considered to be sufficient and the best path to peace, but the Allies would not accept it. Eventually, he compromised to keep the Allies content.

LAD #30

Charles Schenck was an American man who made attempts to convince others to avoid enlisting for the Great War, in violation of the Espionage Act, and was arrested in 1917. He argued that the 1st Amendment (the right to petition) protected him. However, Justice Holmes ruled him guilty because Schenck's actions during wartime were a "clear and present danger" to America. Therefore, the conviction was upheld.

LAD #29

Although America reaped the many benefits coming from big businesses economically, this era came with a great deal of problems. The issue of horrific treatment towards child labor comes readily to mind. Long hours, brutal work, and small pay were typical for these working children. The Keating-Owen Act was instituted in order to help reform these ways. It banned the selling of any goods produced by a company employing children under 14, as well as prohibiting mines from hiring anyone below the age of 16.

LAD #28

Woodrow Wilson, running against Taft and and Roosevelt, managed to slip through and win after his two opponents split the Republican vote. Wilson's first inaugural speech emphasizes change in America; being a progressive president, he saw it fit to point out the miscues of the Industrial Era, saying that times needed to change. Namely, the "evils" of this era (namely corruption) needed to end. He details his plan for the country, in which he advocates for improved working conditions for the common men, and for more effective regulation of industry. He wants America to return to a morals- based country.

LAD #27

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914 was designed mainly to supplement previous laws against the creation of monopolies in America. Essentially, it made it unlawful for companies in America to make exclusive contracts, cut prices, and prevented them from creating different prices for different consumers. It was highly successful, and allowed the unions to carry out their plans and protected their right to go on strike. 

LAD #26

King begins by providing background of the long issue of discrimination: he speaks of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, and how it had seemingly made Negroes equal. But he then points out that a hundred years later, matters have not improved and the African Americans are still brutally mistreated, which has caused the need for this gathering in Washington. He then goes on to compare the gathering to cashing a check; meaning that all Americans, white or black, were intended to have the rights stated in the Declaration of Independence, and now the blacks had come to receive those rights. From there, he emphasizes how important it is for the U.S to act NOW- not gradually work their way into making laws for justice. As King points out, there would be no peace nor tranquility in America until justice had been given. He then implores his fellow African Americans to always fight physical force with soul force, for an increase of violence would not solve the issues. He also says that they must not distrust the whites, as they are beginning to realize that the two races need each other. From here, he goes into the "I have a dream!" section of the speech, in which he states the ideals of a country that will one day be truly just and free. He finishes by whipping the crowd into a frenzy by repeatedly saying "Let freedom ring" and says once again that the entire country will someday be together.

LAD #25

The Dawes Act 1887 was created to give the President power to evenly spread Native Americans to various reservations, as well as giving them further protection under the American laws. Each man was given a certain amount of land- the registered head of the family was given one quarter. However, the land still belonged to the government, so the Native Americans were never truly owners of their own land. Along with the continued assimilation of the Native Americans, this act gave the U.S the right to construct railroads and highways on the designated land of the Native Americans. 

LAD #24

William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold speech remains to this day one of the most famous speeches in American history. He was aiming to promote the beliefs of the Populist Party, as well as specifically promoting the idea of bimetallism. He first targets the government, saying that it is the role of Congress to represent the common man and circulate money evenly, as Andrew Jackson had done; Bryan believed there was far too large of a gap between the rich and the poor. He then says that these ideals could be accomplished through the coinage of silver, as it would spread the wealth and reduce that gap. In this speech, Bryan successfully advocates for his beliefs with passion and combines the Populist and Democratic ideas.

LAD #23

The creation of the Populist Party was a result of the large businesses rapidly gaining power in Industrial America. This Party was said to represent the will of the common man, and silver was advocated for as an acceptable currency in America. Mainly, they are pointing out the dangers of having too much power in the hands of the all-powerful, money-grabbing Capitalists. After establishing what they believe are the main issues, they list their demands, including permanent labor unions and communication owned and operated by the government. In the end, they agreed to several terms such as shorter labor hours, and regulations against the government giving aid to a private corporation.

LAD #22

President McKinley's War Message gave his views regarding the war between the revolting Cubans and Spain. He complains that involvements with the war were costing the U.S precious time and money, as it was hurting trade and investments. He gives grounds for justification of U.S intervention in the war. They are, as follows, 1) to end the "barbarities", 2) give aid to the American citizens in Cuba, 3) help commerce, and 4) limit the toll the war is taking on the U.S. In conclusion, he points out that these are merely his opinions of how to go about solving this problem. In the end, it will be Congress's "solemn responsibility" to make the decision.