LAD #37 Brown V. Board of education

Brown V. Board of education is considered a huge step forward in the fight for civil rights in the United States. It broke a precedent that had been standing in the United States for almost a hundred years. "Separate but equal" was a common term that was far from its name. Institutions were indeed separate, but not equal. This specific case was sparked with the specific example of Lind Brown who had to travel a ridiculous amount for a girl in grade school, one mile of it through a railroad yard. Even though there was a white school near her house, they refused to let her attend there, which would later spark the court case backed by the NAACP. But the fight continued to more than just Linda Brown, it was over whether African American children were affected by this separation. When the decision was finally announced that it found in favor of Brown, it broke a precedent, but it would be another fourteen years until the civil right s movement was in full swing, and then, lawfully everyone would be treated equally.

LAD #36 Truman Doctrine

It was no secret that president Harry Truman disliked communism. It was not only communism, but he also disliked the Soviet Union. During WWII the United States aligned themselves with the USSR. This forced the president, and Joseph Stalin to work together, this was hard for Truman to do since he despised Stalin, and thought he was not trustworthy. In 1947 the Truman Doctrine was introduced to describe the support that the US would be giving Greece, and Turkey. He stated that these free people should not be "suppressed" by a outside force that would force its government upon them. It would not only be to protect the people at "risk" but it would also benefit the US, for there to be one less country to fall to communism. These countries would need aid in order to continue to function without communism. In the past England had supported Greece, but considering their current status they could no longer pay for their support, and they requested the United States funding. This policy would be called containment, in other words it would contain communism to its current place. Instead of congress sending military, and all, it would only send 400 million dollars for support.

LAD#35 FDR's executive order

This executive order is one that is unlike any other order the United States has seen within recent history. Executive order 9066 gave the secretary of war Henry L. Stimson the authority to create war zones in regions of the United States. In other words at this time Japanese Americans were forced out of the place that they called home, and sent to camps where they would be forced to reside. These people were not criminals, or even Japanese citizens, they were US citizens, and at this time all of their civil liberties were being revoked to "protect" the country. The intention of this act was to prevent spies from connecting with Japanese counterparts.In the end however 120,000 Japanese Americans were forced to live in these camps

LAD #34 FDR'S declaration of war

"December 7th 1941 a date which will live in infamy" That line is a exert from one of President Franklin Roosevelt's most remembered speeches. The speech was asking congress to declare war on Japan. The day before this speech was given Pearl Harbor, a US naval base was attacked by the Japanese. FDR describes the negotiations that had been occuring between the two nations, and that this attack came from nowhere, it was both unprovoaked, and uncalled for. The negotiations between the nations were now considered worthless. But the attack on Pearl Harbor had left the Pacific fleet in dissrepair, and it killed thousands of Americans. He also mentions that the empire of Japan had attacked many other Pacific islands including several other American islands. Basically this could not stand, these attacks would only get larger. But for our safety alone we would need to intervein. And in the end he blaitinly asks congress for a declaration of war, and earning it with little resistance.

LAD #32 The Kellogg-Briand Pact

The Kellogg-Briand pact was a peace treaty primarely between France, and the United States. However it was also signed by England, Japan, Germany, Japan, and Italy.The primay purpose was to prevent war from haoppening, but also to promise that no war would break out between the nations. It was drafted by secratary of state Frank B. Kellogg, and Aristide Briand, and after writting this both men earned the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. And Unlike the treaty of Versilles this treaty did in fact pass in U.S. congress. This was formulated along the side, not through the leage of nations. However it was smart, and effective at the time, it would not hold up in the years to come.

LAD #30 Schenck vs. US

In the supreme court trial Schenck vs. US, first amendment rights were up in the air. The first amendment states that all citizens shall have free speech, in other words citizens can talk about whatever they feel, and not worry about being punished. Charles Schenck a secretary for the socialist party sent anti propaganda speaking out against the war. But it was not only the war, but it went against the draft encouraging people to avoid it. He was charged with conspiracy, and in the end the supreme court decided in favor of the United States. Stating that the circumstances of the situation rule against Schenck, in peacetime it is one thing to speack out against the draft, however during wartime it is dangerous to speak out against the draft. Since it is in the country's best interest.

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.

LAD #19 Lincoln's 2nd inaugural address

No one knew at the time of Lincoln's second inaugural address that the civil war was nearing it's end. And at the same time Abe Lincoln's life was also near his end. In just over a month both events would follow through, Abe Lincoln would be dead, and the Civil war would be over. For only a first term Lincoln had a tough four years with a civil war that erupted at the beginning of his term, and continued even through to his second. Honest Abe was not well, finding it hard to sleep, he had also lost his young several two years earlier. So through out the entire speech a somber tone is cast around, from Lincoln's words. Lincoln describes a brief history of the war, how many tried to avoid it, but were unsuccessful, but also there were people out their who were trying to destroy the Union. Also the justification of the Emancipation proclamation, that the government had not every fully intervened with the issues surrounding slavery. Slavery was morally wrong, and that it was just that it was ended. To finish of his speech he talked about when the South joins the Union that it should be welcomed back with open arms. And no grudges should be kept.

Dred Scott case

Many had kept an eye on the Dred Scott v.Sanford case. This case was an issue that had been a frequent topic in the United States. Slavery, slavery had been rearing its ugly head for many years at that point. The president elect James Buchanan wanted to know of the outcome of this case, so he could put it into his presidential inauguration speech. there is no doubt that this case was a monumental one in its day. Never before had the supreme court grab the bull by the horns, trying to determine whether this case was right morally. And when chief justice Taney gave his opinion paper, based on the decision that would be determined in the courtroom. It was decided that Scott, even though free had absolutely no privileges that were given to American citizens. They had determined that they had no rights because they were not citizens, and stating this Scott should not have even had the chance to bring this before them. Taney also discussed that in the constitution there had been no separation of property and slaves. Regardless of the fact that Scott lived in a free statte he was still a slave. This case was truly a slump within U.S. history. But it is amazing how over the course of a few decades how the tides would change, and make Scott a hero.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

To start Abe Lincoln wrote his famous Gettysburg Address on his train ride to the battlefield. As we know now the battle of Gettysburg is considered the turning point of the war. Up until that point the CSA had been winning the battles, then they were pushing north. This battle is still the bloodiest battle in all American history, Americans fighting their brothers. Lincoln starts his address talking about the foundation which the United States had been founded. then continues to commemorate the fact that the war was fought on the hollow grand that they were standing on. The men that died at Gettysburg will never be forgotten, and what they were fighting for would never be forgotten. Regardless of the fact that their job had not been finished but they had given the greatest sacrifice, and that they would never be forgotten.

Lincoln's first inagural address

As imagined the primery topic of Abe Lincoln's first inagural was the South's succession from the United States. He also stated that the induvidual states should decide on their own whether they be slave, or free. And at this point he had no issue with slavery itself. And slavery was not  a concern of his at this time, his job was to preserve the Union, and he planned to bring the new CSA back to the Union. He did not want to use force to bring the south back, he wanted negotiations to bring them back. Going back to the issue of slavery, he did wish to protect free slaves, so that they would not be kiddnapped, and brought back into slavery. And Lincoln wanted to continue government instatusions in the south, like the post office, because he saw no reason to revoak them. To sum up Lincoln wanted everyone to remain calm, that all would be brought back to normal. And the turbulance would soon settle.

The Clay Compromise Measures LAD #13.

John Calhoun was extremely outspoken Washington personality, that butted heads on many issues. He was a typical southerner, who had a large amount of money, and believed that slavery was not only for the south, that it should continue to spread.Calhoun spread the word about the importance of balance that needed to be achieved between the states.  Calhoun even states that the work down to prevent the country from spiting up was admirable. This issue was a growing topic, almost a pandemic. But then he becomes so bold to say that the North had more control within the government. And he relates this to the new territories being admitted into the U.S. that the power will become unbalanced, with the North having the most control. The North also had been industrializing, which would totally ruin the south. The incoming immigrants would stay in the North, because that is were the best jobs would be, the pollution would be great. The sum up is that the North, and the South would have to balance out, to benefit the entire country.

LAD #12

James Polk is often known as one of the hardest working presidents ever. He is also know for the expansion of the country during his presidency. In 1846 Polk delivered a message congress explaining the situation that the United States was, at the current time with Mexico. The United States had been fighting a war with Mexico the U.S. then tried to negotiate with Mexico, but they had ignored the U.S.  Polk then goes into detail about the attempt, he had sent an American diplomat, who was not allowed to meet with the Mexican general. Then Polk explains how this is what made going to war with Mexico unavoidable,and it was the last "straw". He then asked congress to help the war effort,by sending aid.

LAD #11.

For the final document, which was written by Elizabeth Katy Stanton, and signed July,19th 1848. The basis of the document was from the Declaration of Independence written some sixty odd  years earlier. But instead of protesting the king, which was done in the original declaration, this declaration protested the government showing their unhappiness. God had entitled that men and women be equal, and that the United States was not truly a free country if women were not granted the right to vote, among other legal issues. A list was then created to show the issues that they had with the current society. In the end one hundred people signed the declaration, some of which were men. This would be a milestone for women's rights, however women would not earn the right to vote until well after the turn of the century.

LAD #10 - Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine is considered a shining moment in the presidency of James Monroe. Even tough he did not write it, John Quincy Adams sis, his secretary of state.James Monroe was president during the era of good feelings, a period after the war of 1812 that was a build up of nationalism. This documents basis which was delivered by Monroe was that if any European power came into the western hemisphere the United States would intervene. And that the citizens of the U.S. were Americans not colonists. This new policy would be adapted and kept for years to come, thus making the U.S. the "protector" it is today. 

LAD #9

Thomas Jefferson's inaugural speech, was a truly humble speech, which fit his character for being a person that believes in the people. That is what separates him, from the other leaders of the United States thus far. Jefferson is very happy with his victory and graciously thank the American people for voting for him. He also talks about tolerance, not for other races, but other religions. He also talks about political parties, and how they are here, and we have to tolerate them to, because we are one large country that has to deal with one another. That is a large portion of his speech, the work that needs to be accomplished amongst the two parties, Which world make for a better U.S. Jefferson also conveys to the people that it is important for them to exercise their rights to make the country what they want. The speech then goes on to tell te people that he won't shrink from his responsibility, as president. which ends a truly groundbreaking speech.

Columbus Blog #8.

Why would we want to celebrate a man who was not only a fraud, but a flat out jerk? Now speaking for myself, but I'm sure that many would follow, is that I do not like jerks, so why should we celebrate the achievements of one? Today we give Christopher Columbus credit for finding modern day America. But what about the natives? they had been here for thousands of years and called this their home. So didn't they find America? Well if not the Natives than Americus Vespucius, who gave his name to the land. The first place that Columbus landed is the modern day Bahamas, and then moved on to Cuba. Over the course of his first voyage he kidnapped several dozens of natives, and brought them back to Europe. Over the course of his lifetime he made four voyages across the ocean. And with his voyages over, he brought disease over, and would wipe out the natives. He also further opened the gate to more explorers which brought more explorers to the new world, thus hurting the natives home even more. I would graciously give my day off up so that we won't recognize Columbus, and personally i still do not appreciate his accomplishments. Unfortunately there aren't two sides to this pancake.