LAD 30: Brown vs. Board of Education

Schools were segregated by race. However, the schools of the blacks were not as great as the whites. Linda Brown, an elementary student had to walk a great distance to get two her black school when there was a perfectly good white school around the corner. When the principal of the white school refused to enroll Linda, Mr. Brown asked the NAACP for help. Eager to challenge segregation, the NAACP and the Brown's took the Board of Education to trial. They argued that the segregation of schools sent a mixed message of inferiority to whites to the black children. The schools argued that the segregation was preparing them for their adulthood filled with segregation. Brown and the NAACP appealed their case to the Supreme Court and the final ruling declared that the segregation of schools was unconsitutional. While several other institutions like resteraunts remained segregated.

LAD 29: Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine is concerning the aftermath of World War II in the Balkan States. Greece and Turkey both asked the United States for financial aid, as their nations crumbled under the economic and political pressures of the post-World War II world. President Truman asked Congress to not forget the need of these nations, after several requests from both governments for financial and also military aid. He stated, “I do not believe that the American people and the Congress wish to turn a deaf ear to the appeal of the Greek Government.” Truman’s main concern, however, was to keep Turkey and Greece free states, which would certainly change if their economies were completely devastated. Truman asked Congress to supply both nations with financial aid, but also military support, since Greece’s army was small and unequipped. Although Britain had been previously aiding Turkey, they were lacking in funds as well, and were in need of support from the United States, who was essentially the only nation capable of delivering such aid besides the Soviet Union. Truman ends by stating how this is a huge responsibility for Congress.

LAD#28:FDR 1st Innaugural Speech

FDR started by promising his sincerity in the current American situation. FDR started off his presidency in a time of depression and economic downfall. FDR later stated it was his goal to put people back to work, which will ultimately bring the nation back on its feet. He also stated that the land must be used in a proper way and most efficiently under the supervision of the correct people. He also proposed a "strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments." He was looking to find an "end to speculation with other people's money." He also mentioned his foreign policy tactics of being the "good neighbor," by respecting themselves and other nations.

LAD #27: Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928

This document dealt with the building up of arms of nations throughout the world. The United States and other world powers consisting of Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, France, England, and others outlawed the use of war as a "political weapon." The treaty left room for future world powers to sign, in order to prevent war. The treaty left the United States in charge of, "telegraphically to notify such Government immediately upon the deposit with it of each instrument of ratification or adherence." They concluded by the nations agreeing and signing that they were against using war to settle international controversies, but only by "pacific means."

LAD# 26: Schenk v US

The document was dealing with the prosecution of individuals under the Espionage Act of 1917. The court case dealt with the constitutionality of the the act, yet Supreme Justice Holmes said that the documents and prosecuting evidence found under a search warrant were perfectly legal, stating that individuals went beyond their freedom of speech upheld by the Bill of Rights. They basically stated that things you say normally that are protected by the first amendment are not protected when it is in circumstances that "create clear and present danger," and therefore Congress has the right to prevent it.

LAD 25: Wilson 14 points

Written as a post-war recommendation for Europe and the rest of the world, Wilson's Fourteen Points were the original and influencer of the Treaty of Versailles. Wilson delivered his speech to Congress containing the Fourteen Points on January 8th, 1918. Wilson ended the introduction to the Fourteen Points in his speech by proclaiming why the United States had entered the war, which was because of a "violations of right had occurred." He continued on to his Fourteen points which were very ideal. They included ideas such as, freedom of seas, no secret alliances and enforcement of diplomacy, free trade, reduction of arms across the world, and that colonies should be freed. He continued to list specific nations whose colonies should become independent. Including Russian territories, the French colonies, Italy, restoration of Belgium, and developing Austria-Hungary, free Serbia, sovereignty in Turkish part of Ottoman Empire, and a free Polish state. He concluded by praising the justice that America shall give and by describing his idea of a League of Nations.

LAD#24:Clayton Anti-Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act, a follower of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, also dealt with the unlawful practices of business that hurt the economy and prevented competition and trade. Obviously, it focused on cutting down trusts and big businesses. The Act lists several things that are unlawful for businesses to do, including not allowing manufacturer to discriminated between two purchasers. Also it listed the different unlawful acts that a person can not receive discrimination in price for. The Act also stated that the previous Robinson-Patman Antidiscrimination Act does not concern non profit organizations such as schools, universities, or charitable organizations. The Act finished with a statement on how a person has the right to sue in the Federal Court System if they feel a business has not been following the laws produced by this act.

LAD #23: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was passed by Congress, and signed by the President, however it was later declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Originally, the act forbade children to work over eight hours, and set age minimums for children to work in factories and mills. It was supported by the fact that the national government had the right to regulate interstate commerce, yet ironically, the same argument shut down the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act by the Supreme Court. The Fair Labor in 1938 later worked to help reduce child labor, which was led to by the KOWCLA.

LAD #22:Wilson's First Inaugural

President Wilson begins his first inaugural address by stating a change in government has take place of the past two years. He claims that since the House of Representatives, Senate, and the executive branch are now under the Democratic Party, he feels there has been a major change in government. However, he feels such a change is not merely the success of a party, but rather the change in the way Americans are thinking and acting. He says the country is doing well and prospering, bye he claims bad things come with the good. He says that now we do see the good with the bad, and by electing such people, America has chosen to correct the wrongdoings in such a time. Wilson ends with a promise to Americans that we will continue to fight trusts.

LAD #21: Dawes Act

The Dawes Act began by putting the Native Americans on reservations throughout the United States. It also gave one fourth of each section to the head of the family or tribe. It then gave on eighth to children and gave on sixteenth to orphans. It also established the Commission of Indian Affairs, which would create agents to regulate the Dawes Act. It also said that the Americans could go through the lands and build railroads. It also said that the Native Americans had to abide by the laws of the state, and they were not exempt from them. IT goes on further by saying that the Indians can not be forced to leave the reservations, but they can be paid to leave. They also said they had to, under no circumstances, abide by national laws.

LAD #20: Cross of Gold speech

Bryan is addressing a group of people and is pleading the cause of humanity. He states he is fighting for a principle in the name of human kind. He is arguing in defense of the working class, especially farmers, and stating that converting the entire United States treasury to be backed by gold would be horrible. He states that it would be crucifying the American people on a "Cross of Gold." He means that by converting the entire treasury to be backed by gold would basically bring about the death of the farmers and would hurt the entire United States. He states that he feels that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have been covering up the issue about the gold standard and have been only focusing on the tariff and not being concerned with what really matters for the American people

LAD#19: Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party organized and set out their plans for their platform. They listed that they were in favor of pensions for ex-Union soldiers, and they were also against the monopoly in railroads. They also felt it was necessary for a graduated income tax and labor unions. In respect to the railroads, they wanted the government to control the railroads and fix prices in order to help them out. Since the populist party was made up of farmers, set railroad prices would help them with their work, and it was only obtainable through government regulation. They party also sympathized with the nights of labor.

McKinley's War Message LAD #18

McKinley begins his famous speech to Congress by expressing his concerns over the crisis with Spain and Cuba. He continues on by stating how the war is hurting the United States, especially in trade. Furthermore, the war has lost several dollars of capital and has let the citizens of the United States become unruly in their war efforts. He later states that a victory for either side is "impractical." McKinley continues by asking Congress later on in his speech to authorize him with the power to take measures to secure a elimination of hostilities between the Spain and Cuban governments and to make the island a "stable government." He also asks Congress to continue to send food and supplies to Cuba to prevent its people from complete destruction from the war. At the very end of his speech, he finally tells Congress that the government of Spain agreed to end hostilities in Cuba. He says if they end the war Americans will be known as "Christian, peace-loving people."