LAD 30- Brown v. the Board of Education

Brown v. the Board of Education

The story started as Linda Brown was a third-grader in Topeka Kansas. She had to make an incredible trek to her black elementary school while there was a white one right down the road. Brown then sued the board demanding them to reverse their previous decision that segregation was legal. The case eventually grew and made its way to the Supreme Court. It was here where they made the landmark decision that when things were seperate they were not equal but inherently unequal. This led to the integration of many schools throughout the nation. It had great implications on the nation as many did not originally accept the decision. However it became clear that although the facilities and other "tangible factors" could be equal the minority group was still being deprived of a higher and equal education as they were being seperated. Therefore segregation of schools was in violation of the 14th amendment which requires that all people be given the opportunity for an equal education. This case was a groundbreaking start to the Civil Rights movement which would then sweep the nation

LAD 28- FDR's First Inaugural

FDR's First Inaugural Address

In his Inaugural Address President Roosevelt was faced with the overwhelming presence of the Great Depression. In order to put a stop this Roosevelt first felt the need to put a halt to the negative attitude which supported it. As he stated that, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." This attitude need to be accepted by the nation who had been led on by the unsuccessful rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods. These men were failures because of their short sightedness in only encouraging people to buy on credit and when that does not work simply buy it on more credit. Also it was important that the nation focus more on achievement and less on the value of money. The government also must become, in some part, responsible for putting the people to work. Roosevelt also recognized the foreclosure epidemic which was sweeping the nation. With this he stressed the important of not only making plans but acting on them. The government must work towards public forms of transportation and communication. Speculation must also end and along with a closer watch on bank credits and investment the nation can safeguard against another depression like this one. Roosevelt recognizes that along with all of this internally he will be a good neighbor outside of the nation. In the end he also makes it clear that he is the current instrument for the American people to establish a new government order of things, one which the government plays the role of a helping hand in the state of the nation.

LAD 27- Kellogg Briand Pact 1929

Kellogg Briand Pact of 1929

The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1929 was made up on the notion that war must be denounced as a means of National Policy and that those nations signing the treaty were doing just that as well as agreeing to promote perpetual peace. Those involved with this treaty must then pursue peaceful resolutions to conflict as well as they were to be denied the benefits of this treaty if they decided to break it. In this way it was the hope of the treaties founders that other nations would join in in order to work towards joining in on this peace. Signing onto this treaty were the nations of Germany, the US, Belgium, France, Great Britain and all of its protectorates, Italy, Japan, Poland and the Czech Republic. There are 3 articles to this treaty each which outline a different proposal. The first article goes on to again renounce the use of war as a diplomatic means while the second states that no problem will be solved by any means which are not peaceful. Finally the third article covers the concept that this treaty shall be open to all those nations who did not immediately ratify the treaty. Aloo it states that United States is to be resonsible for the the carrying out of this treaty. This but the nation at the fore-front of this push for peace while making sure that it adhered to the treaty as well.

LAD 26- Schenck v. United States

Schenck v. United States

In this case of Schenck v. the United States the limits of Freedom of Speech were called into perspective. The case came into play after the leader of a Socialist party circulated a number of leaflets promoting the opposition of the draft from those recruited by it. This particular case caused the debate over where the limits to Freedom of Speech needed to be. As stated by Justice Holmes it can not be allowed for someone to use their freedom of speech in a way which would present a "clear and present danger" to the nation. The danger was clearly seen in this case as it was a very obvious encouragement of insubordination for those who were recruited by the draft. This insubordination would have caused a major problem and honest danger for the Nation as it was in the middle of war with Germany. A hinderence to the war effort like this simply could not be tolerated. Schenck was charged with an indictment of three counts, the first being a violation of the Espionage Act, the second was the intention to commit an offence against the United States and the third was the unlawful use of the mail system to spread these illegal actions. He was then found gulity of all counts and Holmes made the important distinction on Freedom of Speech when he claimed that, "The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic." This scenario would cause cause choas considering everyone would be trying to get out and danger would be present for all who were there. This same danger would be present in the case of Schenck.

LAD 25- Wilson's 14 Points

President Wilson's 14 Points

Nearly a year after the United States entered the war came a great drive for negotiations throughout Europe. Wilson's 14 points represented a stance for peace negotiations which were widely desired throughout the world. These points were an attempted basis for this desired peace as they outlined many important ideas. The first point was that of open peace talks or open peace covenants. This stressed the need to make all diplomatic relations public and open to the world. Next was the freedom of the seas at all times unless they needed to be closed to uphold international agreements. The third point was that of the establishment of equality of trade by removing to the furthest possible extent economic barriers. Fourth was reducing armaments to the lowest possible point. This would hopefully minimize future conflict, while fifth outlined the idea that all colonial claims be reviewed. In the sixth point all Russian lands would be returned under certain conditions from those countries retaining them while in the seventh Belgium would be restored. The eighth and ninth points revised and reinstated the boundaries and land for Italy and France. In Austria-Hungry the people would be allowed to freely develop by the conditions in the tenth point. In points eleven and twelve Serbia, Romania and Montenegro are re-established while Turkey is preserved leaving the rest of the Ottoman Empire to become independent. The thirteenth point asks for the creation of a Polish State which would have access to the sea. The fourteenth and final calls for an association, or league of nations to be made in order to watch over this treaty as well as any other covenants which will be made in the future.

LAD 24- Clayton Antitrust Act

Clayton Antitrust Act

Through the Clayton Anti-trust act came great improvements of conditions for the counsumer at this time in American History. For one, this act outlawed any sort of price discrimintation which would reduce compition among business or establish any sort of agreement between businesses to achieve this reduce competition. With this act also came the prohibition of the idea that a buyer could go from seller to seller in "exclusive dealings" but this was only prohibited when competition was reduced due to this. The merger of corporations was also regulated this act made it illegal to do so if that merger greatly reduced competition and with this it was witnessed that no one person could control two or more competitive corporations. If someone was to be on the recieving end of these injustices it was now permitted under this act for them to sue whoever was violating the conditions established in this act. However unlike its predeccesor the Sherman Anti Trust act this act gave exemptions to unions while allowing such things as boycotts and peaceful protests but did not protect these unions when property damage ensued.

LAD 23- Keating- Owen Child Labor Act

Keating- Owen Child Labor Act

The Keating- Owen Child Labor Act was an emormous step for the improvement of working conditions at the time. This act worked in great steps to outlaw child labor and the negative effects it had on American society. With this act all companions were prohibited from employing children under the age of 14 and even further children between the age of 14 and 16 are not allowed to work more than eight hours a day or more than six days a week. Even moreso these kids could not work before six am or after seven pm. Along with this the power was given to the Attorney General, The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Labor to establish regulations in order to carry out the desire effect of this act as well as the Secretary of Labor gained the ability to go in and inspect for these prohibited conditions. The act was set to go into effect a year after its passage and outlined numerous punishments for those who would be caught in the act of violating this law. A period of 30 days is given where if any goods are transported or recieved which had used child labor in that time then those responsible would be punished

LAD 22- Wilson's First Inaugural

Wilson's First Inaugural

With the election of Wilson came the introduction of his knowledge on the many issues of American society at the time. These issues were those of sweeping reform necessary to counter the numerous wrongs that had sprung up with the development of big business. Despite his two previous progressive presidents Wilson carefully outlined many issues which were at large during this time. This included the problematic philosophy which everyone had established at the time. This was the idea that "Let every man look out for himself, let every generation look out for itself". This clearly was an issue given it left many people to display a great disregard for the deteriorating conditions of the work place, the cities and elsewhere. Not only were the people at fault here but the government as well. Clearly the government had not had a big enough hand in helping to improve the status of the nation. With many trusts and poor working conditions still remaining there was no way the government could get away with another stage of lassiez faire involvement.

LAD 18- McKinley's War Address

McKinley's War Message

Throughout his address President McKinley highlights many reasons why it is truly neccesary for the US to go to war. This is all due to the fighting between Cuban rebels for independence and the Spanish army trying to prevent them from doing so. This fighting causes a great deal of trouble to the US and, as McKinley says, provides us with many appropriate reasons to intervine. These reasons start with the option of whether to stay neutral, pick an ally, or work in general through military means to reach a settlement. Although McKinley works toward the third option in truth everyone knew this would lead to the country's support of Cuba. This needs to be done in order to stop the blood shed as well as other reasons. These other reasons include things such as the huge finicial burden this war has on the country through the lack of trade which they were so used too. Another reason was that the citizens of Cuba clearly deserve the rights of a stable government to protect their rights and it is clear that this is not coming from the Spanish one which is currently in place. The USS Maine was also another point due to the lose of american lives which occured simply because of the unsafe conditions. In the end McKinley takes time to emphasize that although the Spanish plan on attempting to make peace it is a well known fact that this will not happen without US intervention.

LAD 17- Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

LAD Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Through his wealth earned in his work in the steel industry Andrew Carnegie had plenty of money left over to donate to the public. He wrote The Gospel of Wealth which discusses many different matters concerning money and wealth. In this he relates his expierences to the proper modes to administrate wealth. By doing this he said that competence should be the main goal which many should attempt to acquire in life. In this Gospel he noted three proper ways to administer wealth. First it can be bequeathed for public purposes. Second it can be left to family members or third it can be administered during the life of the possessor. Carneigie feels strongly towards the second mode, since it can benefit a large range of people. He does not recommend leaving the money with family members, since it teaches them nothing and in fact it can be seen as misguided affection. Through this he demonstrated his police of giving a "hand up" before a "hand out". Although their estates are heavily taxed at death it still is beneficial and assists the states. Another of his theories was that by jusyt frivolusly spending money it is only to the aid of the spending while others are left to note just how wealthy he is.