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.

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

Wilson first discusses how the Central Powers are willing to "discuss the objects of the war and the possible basis of a general peace." However, he states that while Russia presents a definite statement and program of principles for which to make peace, the other powers seemed more concerned with merely retaining all of the territory that they had conquered. The Russian representatives broke off negotiations. According to Wilson, the peace of the world relies upon the ability of the powers to negotiate peace out in the open, and not behind closed doors. Furthermore, he asserts that the poor and desperate Russians, under attack of Germany, desire to know the war aims of the Central Powers. He hopes that in some way America and the Central Powers could help the Russians to attain liberty and peace. Arguably the most important of his points was the 14th. This point suggested the start of the League of Nations, an world peacekeeping organization to help prevent any further world wars.





Wilson's 14 Points remind me of NATO, which is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries. It is similar to Wilson's points because it represents an organization dedicated to preventing international hostility, just like the League of Nations tried to do.

LAD/Blog #31: Schenck V. United States

The opinion of Justice Holmes begins with a summary of the counts against Schenck, which included attempting to undermine the recruitment efforts of the U.S. during a time of war, as well as using the mail to deliver things that were prohibited. Schenck tried to appeal by using the First Amendment which advocates freedom of speech and of the press. Schenck's documents essentially compared the draft to an action of a despot and told Americans to assert their constitutional rights. It was presumed that the intent of these documents was to obstruct the process of conscription. He then gave the analogy "a person who cries fire in a quiet park or home would be protected by the first amendment, whereas a person who cries fire in a crowded theater, creating a panic is not protected by the first amendment."  Thus, the first amendment does not apply to Schenck because he was trying to create "panic" or a "disturbance."





This case reminded me of the Japanese internment camps during WWII, which were considered constitutional given the circumstances of being at war, even though the act of putting the Japanese in camps was unconstitutional.

LAD/Blog #30: Wilson's First Inaugural

In the beginning of his inaugural address Wilson acknowledges the recent change in government.  Both houses of Congress as well as the President and Vice Presidency will all soon be from the democratic party.  He calls this change a change in perspective, not a change in ideals.  He talks about how change is necessary in order for the nation to accomplish new things.  Wilson compliments the country on its morality and says that he hopes the nation will continue to honor these morals. He then couples that with the evils that have been done, wasting nature's resources and overworking many people, wasting lives. These were the actions of a corrupt government. Wilson then states that it is time to fix the evils while keeping the good, making the workforce more fair and not just trying to gain industrial greatness. He describes it as "restoration." Wilson then lists off some issues, like harmful tariffs, an uncontrolled industrial sector, and the waste of American resources without replenishing them. He then reiterates that the responsibility of government is to protect the lives of the people, which could be done with labor laws and sanitation laws. Wilson emphasizes that property rights will be maintained and that business will be restored by adding justice. He concludes by stating that he is dedicated towards improving the lives of the people.





Wilson's First Inaugural reminded me of former President Barack Obama's First Inaugural speech because both shared a sense of determination and optimism that the country would improve, even if it took some time.

LAD/Blog #29: Clayton Anti-Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act has three sections, Section 2, Section 3, and Section 7. In Section 2, the act states that discounts for specific groups or people is illegal. Lowering the price of goods or services for different people is not allowed. However, different prices based on the quality of the item sold or based on competition is allowed, but not to gain a monopoly. Section 3 of this law states that the manipulating of prices to lessen competition is also illegal.  Lastly, section 7 of this law prevents a corporation from owning stock of other companies, as it would significantly lessen the competition and thus create a monopoly.





This act reminded me of John Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company because it combined vertical and horizontal integration tactics with the creation of trusts to dominate the U.S. economy.

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

After the 1900 Census revealed that 2 million children were working in mines, factories, fields, and stores across the country, the nation was outraged.  Social workers and other prominent individuals began to condemn the treatment of children in workplaces given its negative effect on their health and over all well-being.  The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was passed in response to this outcry for a solution.  The act established 4 as the general minimum age for work and 16 as the minimum age for work in mines.  In addition, children could only work a maximum of 8 hours per day.  Unfortunately, the Supreme Court declared this law unconstitutional in the Hammer v. Dagenhart case.  The Supreme ruled that the government did not have the right to regulate commerce.  An amendment was proposed in the 1920's regarding child labor which also failed.  Finally, in the 1940's the Supreme Court reversed their ruling.  This decision still stands today.





This act reminds me of how no one under the age of 14 can work in an industrial factory, which used to be one of the most popular places for young children to work.

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

Martin Luther King Day is a day when we celebrate King's ideals and impact on the United States of America.  His beliefs are perfectly summarized in his famous "I Have a Dream Speech" that was delivered on August 28th, 1963.  While standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial he alluded to the great man that preceded him and how America needs to follow "Lincoln's light".  The light is referring to the Emancipation Proclamation that was issued by President Lincoln during the Civil War. King then begins to list off the injustices that must end before the movement can stop. After this, King comes to the most famous part of the speech, in which he states that he has a dream that white and black children can at some point love each other as siblings. After this extremely powerful section, he tells the crowd that with this hope, they must go back to their homes and continue to push for equality. He quotes "My Country Tis' of Thee" stating that they must continue to push for progress under freedom rings across the nation and all people are "free at last."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech reminded me of many of Barack Obama's speeches where he discussed racism and racial inequality.