MLK's "I have a dream speech"

In August of 1963 the March on Washington changed civil rights history for the 20th century. The most remembered  of the day being Martin Luther King Jr's I have a dream speech. Which has also gone down as one of the most influential speeches in American History, up there with the Gettysburg address. That is where King starts his speech about how slaves became free, but not totally free. No longer was there such a thing as a slave, however African Americans were still under the thumb of racism. It had still plagued the country over a hundred years after the civil was, rights for all were still not completely even. One demand of MLK was that he wanted equality, but he wanted right then. That was not a huge demand considering that the African American community had waited a hundred years for equality. Another major message that MLK conveys in his speech is his belief for non violent acts, that fighting would only continue the circle of hatred. But also when equal rights were gained that there could be no grudges on one another. In the end the point of the movement would be for African Americans, and whites to have equal rights, and opportunities. In the end Martin Luther King Jr. was someone that everyone of every race could, and still do look up to.

LAD #24 Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech

William Jennings Bryan was, and still considered one of the most popular politicians ever. A lot of that had to do with his honesty, and dedication to his supports. And his supporters were extremely dedicated to him, in a way he was an outsider, because of his support of laborers, and unions. When Bryan gave his speech for the democratic convention in 1896 it was considered one of the most famous convention speeches of all time. One of the most important parts of Byran's campaign was his belief in silver to gold ratio, that being a 16 to 1 ratio. He believed that silver should be coined freely, and used as coins. But unlike politicians today he fought for what his supporters believe in, and that is what a public servant is for. He fought for his followers, and thought that the silver fight would be the best part of his presidency for his followers. Bryan was an extremely honest, and Nobel politician, something we have lost in our current politicians.

LAD #23 the populist party

The Populist party found itself fighting for the common man, trying to make their voices heard amongst the rest of the corruption in government. It is the people's voice that should ring louder than the small part of the country that is rich. Overall there must be a party that represenst the regular people's best interests. The party really wants labor unions to take off, so laborers would have many voices, and would be able to gang up against the man. One person by themselves against a corprate giant meant nothing, but thousands banded together could change their industries. They then had a list of wants, one being silver as currency, government regulated hours and wages, and pensions for retired soldiers. Overall the most important demands of them was for the government to listen to the everyday man.

LAD #28

Cuba is extremely close to the American boarder, only about 90 miles. In 1895 Cubans revolted against their mother Spain, and after three years the United States grew weary of the war. In 1898 President McKinley asked congress to consider the situation McKinley in his State of the Union address brought the issues with Cuba up, to start discussions of what to do. He talked about how it is not safe for the U.S. being a close as it is. But also that it was effecting trade with other countries. McKinley only saw two options in this situation, one was to compromise between the two, and the other was to ally with one of the countries. But McKinley truly wanted to intervene with the war, and support the Cubans. They had been through hardships, and needed help, but not to forget that doing this would also benefit the U.S. being able to trade freely once again. And then he played the marder card describing the wreck of the good old Maine, not knowing it was an accidental explosion from the ship itself. It was ended with him saying that it is our nation's principles to help them, and regardless of what happened we were in it for the right reasons. But he could obviously could not make the soul decision it was up to Congress.