LAD #39: Brown V. Board of Education

Little Linda Brown, a young black girl living in Topeka, Kansas, was forced to walk a mile to school through a railroad yard, while a segregated white school only blocks away. Her father appealed to the local NAACP, who used the opportunity to challenge the segregation of public schools in Topeka. Brown and the NAACP appealed to the Supreme Court in 1951, and the case was combined with others challenging public school segregation from around the nation. The Supreme Court heard the case in 1952 and 1953, but were unable to reach final decisions. Finally, on May 17, 1954, Chief Justice Earl Warren read the unanimous decision of the judges, which stated that the segregation of children based on race deprives the minority group of equal educational opportunities. Thus, the "separate but equal" ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson was overturned, and it was decreed that the plaintiffs in the case were being deprived of equal protection of the law under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Thus, the desegregation of schools across America was ordered. However, although this was an enormous step, school desegregation was still a long ways off. The case did not abolish segregation in public facilities either. However, it did set a precedent that paved the way for integration and the civil rights movement.





The Brown v. Board of Education case reminded me of the recent case of Obergefell v. Hodges case which was a major gay rights victory, making gay marriage legal.

LAD #38: Truman Doctrine

In his address, Truman emphasizes that the United States needs to aid in the reconstruction of Greece. Greece had nearly all of its financial assets and resources destroyed during WWII, and since the war, its government has been defied by thousands of Communist-led armed men. The government is requesting American economic aid, and American advisors to help distribute the aid and supervise the country's reconstruction. Both America and Great Britain had previously been supporting Greece, but to inadequate levels, and Great Britain is no longer capable of supplying aid. He goes on to discuss the implications of U.S. involvement, saying that the foreign policy of the United Sates is to "create conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion." If Greece falls, than Turkey may also fall, and if both fall, they would have a profound effect upon the other despairing free nations of Europe.





The Truman Doctrine reminded me of the Marshall Plan because both suggested providing financial assistance to foreign countries in hopes of protecting Democracy and creating economic stability.

LAD #37: FDR’s Executive Order 9066

On the grounds that the success of WWII depends on the prevention of foreign espionage in America, FDR declares that the Secretary of War is authorized to construct military areas in which "any or all persons may be excluded", and he gave over to the Secretary the discretion to who should enter these areas. He states that the Secretary is authorized to provide food, transportation, shelter, and other accommodations for these groups. He also grants the Secretary the power to enforce compliance with these laws, and grants them the usage of Federal troops.





FDR's Executive Order No. 9066 reminded me of the Nuremberg Laws in Germany that were enacted 7 years before FDR's executive order because both introduced race as a means of separating good from evil, fostering xenophobia and intolerance.

LAD #36: FDR’s Declaration of War

In a brief but potent message to Congress, FDR summarizes the events of the"...date that will live in infamy...". He mentions not only the Japanese naval and air attack on Pearl Harbor, which cost a great deal of American lives, but also reveals that the Japanese had been deliberately deceiving the U.S. in the recent peaceful diplomatic negotiations. He addresses the scope of the Japanese offensive, who also attacked Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Midway Island on the same day. He concludes by asking Congress to declare that war opened between Japan and the U.S. when Japan attacked the day before.



FDR's Declaration of War on Japan reminded me of President Bush's declaration of war on terror after 9/11 because both the attacks of Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 terrorist attack were dates that will live in infamy, and both leaders provided charismatic speeches to stabilize the American public.

LAD/Blog #35: Home was a Horse Stall

Executive Order No. 9066 allowed the Secretary of War to create military areas to protect our country against espionage and secure national defense. The Military Commanders would be allowed to prescribe areas where those determined to be excluded should stay and be provided food, transportation, shelter, etc.. The Secretary of War and the designated commanders should execute this. The Attorney General shall oversee the designation of these areas. The Secretary of War and commanders are allowed to take steps to enforce restrictions in this area and allow the use of Federal troops and agencies. The rest of the Executive Department is to assist those in charge with providing medical aid, necessities, facilities, and equipment. The order is not to change anything from Executive Order 8972 or the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation  or the regulation for control of alien enemies. The order allowed the creation of the Japanese internment camps. The order targeted the Japanese American population.

The Executive order No. 9066 reminded me of the German concentration camps because they were similar to the Japanese internment camps in many respects.

LAD/Blog #34: FDR's First Inaugural

FDR begins his address very boldly, emphasizing the importance of truth, and acknowledging the grave issues that were currently facing the country. He stated that the only thing to fear was fear itself and that that was what was keeping the country from moving forward. He then goes on to address some of the many economic issues facing the nation, especially the issue of widespread unemployment. In a more hopeful tone, FDR then makes clear that the issue does not come from a lack of material, stating that nature provides plenty. He continued by saying that banking and credit would now strictly supervised from now on to prevent other Great Depression from occurring in the future. He emphasized his plan of putting people to work so that they have a sense of accomplishment in their lives. If more people were working, the government would collect the much needed revenue to provide services for the poor. He concluded by assuring the people that even if Congress did not cooperate with his plans for the country he would use Executive Action for the good of the American people.





FDR's First Inaugural Speech reminded me of the problems that Barack Obama faced when he came to office in 2008.

LAD/Blog #33: Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact

Initiated by the United States and several other countries, including England and France, this document stated that all nations who ratified it would not consider war as a national policy or as a way to resolve conflicts. Instead, all of the nations agreed to condemn war and to use peaceful means to resolve all conflicts. Nations who violated the agreement would not be able to enjoy the trading benefits that were also discussed in the treaty. The agreement consisted of three articles. Article I states that these countries and their peoples renounce the policy of war as a means of resolving issues between the countries in the treaty. Article II declares that these countries will try to solve all future problems diplomatically, through peaceful means. Finally, Article III states that each country will get the treaty ratified by the means stated in their respective constitutions and that the treaty will stay open until all other countries have joined. It also makes clear that it will be the responsibility of the United States to take care of adding each additional country to the treaty.





The Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact reminded me of the League of Nations signed after the Great War because both advocated world peace and the optimistic pledge against international conflict for the good of humanity.