LAD #39: Brown V. Board of Education

The 1954 court case determined that the segregation of children in public schools was not constitutional. In 1896, the Supreme Court had ruled, in Plessy V. Ferguson, that public places could be legally segregated. This set the precedent for "separate but equal." However, in Brown V. Board of Education, Oliver Brown filed a suit against the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Oliver Brown's daughter, Linda Brown, had been denied entry to all-white elementary schools. Brown argued that the facilities of education were not equal which went against the Fourteenth Amendment, stating people have legal protection under the law. The U.S. district court in Kansas upheld "separate but equal." Earl Warren, the justice, determined that the doctrine "separate but equal" does not belong in public education. 

This decision is seen in Little Rock Nine in which, after the National Guard had been called to prevent this, federal troops made sure nine black students could attend school.

LAD #38: Truman Doctrine

Following World War II, America became concerned with the spread of communism. In attempt to "contain" communism, hence the policy containment, Truman addressed Congress in his Truman Doctrine.. Greece had been destroyed and suffered from economic and political instability in the post war era. Recognizing this, Truman encouraged political and financial installments so Greece could restore their nation. Additionally, Greece was at risk due to communist activities which threatened the nation. Truman also recognizes that Turkey is unstable as well and requires attention and work in order to preserve the order in the Middle East. Truman asks Congress for a specific amount of money to loan to Greece and Turkey and to be able to send American civilian and military personnel. All of these efforts instigate attempts to prevent the rise of totalitarian regimes in these countries, framing the policy of containment.

The Marshall Plan was similar to the Truman Doctrine because it showed American initiative in aiding the rebuilding of Europe. 

LAD #37: FDR’s Executive Order 9066

Taking measures to ensure national security, President Roosevelt issued the Executive Order No. 9066. This order essentially allowed the creation of military areas which were then used to relocate Japanese Americans. The President ordered the Secretary of War and Military Commanders to create this military areas where people would be excluded and allowed them to impose their own restrictions. Furthermore, the President asked other federal agencies to assist these military measures by providing support. This is seen in "Home is a Horse Stall" when Sox goes to the internment camp, which was a military area created by the government. I understand the need for national security of the time, however I believe that excluding Japanese Americans was a step too far, especially since these people were United States citizens. 

This is similar to the Dawes Act which permitted the division and reorganization of Indian tribal land, forcing them onto reservations like the internment camps.

LAD #36: FDR’s Declaration of War

On December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor led the US to declare war. And, FDR stated that December 7, 1941, the day which Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, was "a date which will live in infamy." FDR goes on to explain how the US had originally not intervened in the warfare in these countries. However, the Japanese attack has resulted in destruction in the United States, and America needs to defend itself. He explains how Japan has gotten out of control and have become hostile. Therefore, the United States has to fight them. Jeanette Rankin was the only member of the Houses that voted against the declaration of war on Japan. She later received nicknames including "Japanette Rankin" as she was looked down upon for her vote. 

similar to WWI the United States broke their policy of neutrality to defend themselves against Germany and for WWII, Japan.

LAD/Blog #35: Home was a Horse Stall

The story of how and when Sox grew up was heartbreaking. Executive Order 9066 was put in place by Roosevelt to establish military areas and the Civilian Exclusion Order No.27 said that Japanese would be excluded from the West Coast. The first thing that caught my attention was when they were in the car and the radio announcement came on. Yumi expressed how terrible it was for her especially since she is not a U.S. citizen, she's a first-generation Japanese immigrant. Her native country was now the enemy and even her children recognized that their life was going to change. This is truly heartbreaking because she then goes on to see that their new home is a horse stall and this illustrates how Americans did not treat these U.S. citizens with respect. Lastly, the description of camp life was notable. This act gave $20,000 to surviving internees, a law that gave compensation to those relocated by the camps and a fund to educate people on the internment experience.

this is similar to how the Indigenous people were treated in America, and forced onto reservations.

LAD/Blog #34: FDR's First Inaugural

On March 4th, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his first inaugural address. He asks for the support of the people as America has endured many dark times. Roosevelt tells the people not to panic, stating "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He then goes on to talk about the issues in material and money that arise from banking. He continues detailing the problems of the United States, including the materialism of the Roaring Twenties that led the money changers into the Stock Market Crash. The President is going to have safeguards, regulation, and stop speculation. He then discusses his good neighbor policy which he plans to respect the rights and agreements of other nations. Lastly, he asks for the people to trust him in the position he's taking since he is planning on assuming a lot of power. 

FDR similar to Herbert Hoover tried to help America during the depression, however, FDR actually succeded.

LAD/Blog #33: Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact

The Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact was passed in 1928 by several countries, including Germany, France, and the United States. This eventually turned out to be a complete failure, though it began with high hopes and good intentions. The idea was that the treaty would encourage a more peaceful way of dealing with conflict diplomatically with the countries that signed, rather than barbarically go to war immediately. The United States became the unofficial leader of this agreement as it progressed, and allowed other nations to join the treaty. However, there was something fundamentally wrong with this pact. This, unfortunately, did not. Without military support, they could not enforce the pact if a country decided to break it.

similar to the league of nations the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact also had no military support leading to failure

LAD/Blog #32: Wilson's 14 Points of Peace

Woodrow Wilson proposed his Fourteen Points on January 8, 1918. These points created a basis for peace and were later incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles. However, these points, to a greater extent, were idealistic. This is reflected in the failure of the Treaty of Versailles. Wilson did not plan to punish Germany. However, his points were too lenient for some of the Allies. France, for example, wanted to implicate harsh penalties and war reparations on Germany. Hence, the War Guilt Clause was created. Therefore, it is clear that the Fourteen Points were far too idealistic. Wilson could not implement the freedom of navigation, removal of economic barriers, and creation of new boundaries, amongst other points. Especially, he could not enforce the creation of the League of Nations, which the US refused to enter. 

The Fourteen Points eventually set the foundation for the Treaty of Versailles. These points proposed peace, which, when the Great War was over, were used to end the war. Nonetheless, the Treaty failed, eventually leading to WWII.

LAD/Blog #31: Schenck V. United States

In World War I, Schenck distributed circulars, which are letters addressed to a large group of people, with the purpose of getting the attention of those being drafted. He argued against the draft but only suggested peaceful action or resistance against the Conscription Act (and act that made the first wartime draft in the United States). However, Justice Holmes ruled that Schenck's actions violated the Espionage Act since his letters seemed to talk down the military and discourage people from attending. Holmes argued that Schenck's letters presented a "clear and present danger" so, Congress had the right to stop and prevent these actions.

This is similar to the Peter Zenger trial since in this trial, Zenger was tried with speaking out against the government like Schenck.

LAD/Blog #30: Wilson's First Inaugural

Woodrow Wilson ran for president in 1912 and was elected as the democratic candidate. Wilson acknowledges the change in government--how it has become democratic. Wilson addresses certain aspects of the nation, including individuals, wealth, and the government. He then goes on to explain the "inexcusable waste" of the Gilded Age. Wilson looks to cleanse and reconsider. As a progressive president, he is clearly looking inward and hoping to make reform. Wilson emphasizes the need for laws to protect US citizens. He, at the end, states "This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication," urging the people to dedicate themselves to the cause of reforming.

This is similar to JFK's inaugural address who says the US can meet any hardships, like the hardships of reform during Wilsons time.

LAD/Blog #29: Clayton Anti-Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was passed in 1914 during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. The candidates in the previous election all agreed that the government, especially the Supreme Court, had been too lenient with the big businesses, so they believed the government needed to strengthen antitrust laws. The Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914 prohibited price discrimination, prohibited certain deal practices, expanded the power of private organizations to sue and obtain damages, allowed a labor exemption that permitted union organizing and prohibited anticompetitive mergers. The Sherman Anti Trust Act of 1890 was the first major legislation against the practices of big businesses. However, the Sherman Act, while it was expanded, was not as enforced. 

Both Sherman and Clayton Anti Trust Acts regulated big business

LAD/Blog #28: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was an Act passed in 1916 prohibiting the shipment of goods or products between states if the product was worked on by a child in the past 30 days. Children younger than fourteen cannot work on these items and children between  fourteen and sixteen cannot work more than eight hours in a day, six days in a week, after seven, or before six. This act contributed to the progressive movement by regulating the extreme conditions under which employees worked. However, the Supreme Court eventually declared this act unconstitutional on the grounds that child labor was not involved with interstate commerce therefore, the states should decide how to regulate it. 

Similarly, in John Spargo's The Bitter Cry of the Children, he advocated against child labor.

LAD/Blog #27: MLK, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech

Martin Luther King Jr. was a well-known advocate of civil rights. He protested discrimination and segregation, and his "I have a dream" speech clearly voices his support of integration between black and white communities and living in peace. He starts off stating how great his demonstration will be--one that will go down in history. However, he urges that even one hundred years after the emancipating of slaves, the black population is still held down by society in terms of discrimination and segregation. He continues to push for the fight against injustice, but encourages the people not to lose their dignity. King then states his dreams, including that "nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal,:, that places will foster freedom and justice and that children will not be judged by the color of their skin. This speech supports the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended segregation of public places and employment/education discrimination. The Act was first proposed by Kennedy but opposed by Southern Members in Congress. Therefore, it was later passed by Lyndon B. Johnson.

Just as King's I have a dream speech protested discrimination and segregation, the Montgomery bus boycott was part of the civil rights movement in which people protested discrimination and segregation on the public transit system.