LAD #37: Brown vs. Board of Education

     The Plessy vs. Ferguson case claimed that "separate but equal" facilities were constitutional.  The Brown vs Board of Education case brought this into question.  A black school girl, Linda Brown, was forced to walk three miles to get to a designated black school in Topeka, Kansas.  Meanwhile, a while school was located a mere 7 miles from her house.  This was an unfair situation for Linda to be in, for she was forbidden from attending the more convenient white school because of her race.  Brown's parents claimed that it was wrong for their child to be segregated in such a manner.  The school board retaliated by stating that they were merely being realistic and that segregation was something that Linda should learn to deal with as she matures into adulthood.  The case then made its way into the supreme court, where judges had to determine whether or not it violated the fourteenth amendment, regarding equal rights.  The supreme court ultimately decided that it was indeed unconstitutional for it created an obvious black inferiority complex.  Unfortunately, African Americans had to battle many more years for true equality.

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

     Truman begins by stating that he feels it necessary to speak of the foreign policy and national security of the nation.  He then begins to address the situation with Greece and Turkey.  He claims that the Greek government has asked the United States for financial assistance and Truman does not want to ignore this considering how Greece has suffered from so many invasions and is in desperate need of help.  They also ask for American administrators to help solve the problems in their country.  He then mentions that the country is at the risk of being forced into communism and emphasized the importance for the United States to protect and nourish their democratic friend.  Furthermore, the British government cannot help Greece any longer and the UN can not address the issue soon enough.  A neighboring nation of Greece, Turkey is also in need of assistance.  Following the war in europe, Turkey was also in need of financial support.  It is essential that Turkey remaina  well-nourished nation so that it can preserve order in the middel east.  Truman makes it clear that this time, he wants to intervene in the issues in Europe because last time when the United States took no action, the found themselves consumed in a war.  He states that it is the responsibility of the United States to help the nations who are recieving ourside pressure.  Disorder in both nations would have devestating effects in Europe. He calls for immediate action, asking congress for $400,000,000 and for military personnel to be sent to Greece and Turkey. He concludes be reaffirming that disorder in a nation feeds totalitarianism and that the United States must allow this to happen and essentially repeat history.           

LAD #35: FDR's Executive Order 9066

In his executive order, FDR gave the Secretary of war the power to declare specific areas as military locations.  FDR believed that this was necessary at the time to prevent foreign espionage and corruption in the United States during wartime.  All people not affiliated with the military will not be allowed to enter these areas.   The Secreatary also will have the power and responsibility of providing necessities such as transportation, shelter, food, and water. The establishment of military districts eventually led to the creation of Japanese interment camps, in which many were forced out of their homes.  Furthermore, FDR mentioned the need for citizens to remain loyal during wartime.  Japanese Americans became subjects to great suspicion.

LAD #34: FDR's Declaration of War

     FDR begins the war declaration by mentioning the attack on Pearl Harbor on "December 7th 1941, a date that will live in infamy."  He then explains that prior to this attack, the United States had been at peace with Japan.  FDR makes it clear that the attack was no accident, especially considering the distance between Japan and Hawaii, it must have been planned days, or even weeks in advance.  He acknowledges that the bombardment of Pearl Harbor cause severe damage to military and naval forces on the island, and caused many American lives to be lost.  By attacking the United States, Japan had disturbed the peace existing between the two nations.  FDR therefore appealed to Congress for a declaration of war, the only thing which could justify the damage done on American soil.  FDR's request led to U.S. involvement in World War one and ultimately an allied victory.

LAD # 33: FDR's 1st Inaugural

     FDR begins his address by acknowledging that during his time in office he will have to manage and relieve a severe economic crisis.  He tries to instill hope within Americans by stating that the depression is not as hindering as believed.  In this speech, FDR uttered among the most famous quotes of all time, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  Although optimistic, the President was not idealistic like Wilson.  He acknowledged the fact that the nation was suffering immensely and recognized the need for change.  He mentioned that there were various issues with inflation, savings, banking, and employment.  FDR mentioned the importance of decreasing the unemployment numbers.  Later on, he discusses the need for the population to be more evenly distributed, and thus relieving the congestion of cities.  He aims to lower the cost associated with all forms of government, be it local, federal, or state.  Although the nation is eager to start trading with their friends abroad once more, FDR has dedicated himself to solving the issues at home first.  Lastly he mentions self sacrifice, and collective action which will need to be done to get the hurt nation back of its feet.  He concludes again with an optimistic tone, believing that through his policies, the nation will be relieved of the depression.     

LAD #32: Kellogg Briand Peace Pact

President Calvin Coolidge, his secretary of state, Frank Kellogg, and the French foreign minister, Briand, passed the Kellogg Briand Peace Pact in 1928.  It depicted war as a rather barbaric solution and claimed that it could not be used as a foreign policy.  In other words, it claimed that war could only be used for defense.  It consisted of three parts, the first saying that war could not be used to solve issues with other countries, the second that all conflicts must be resolved with diplomacy, and the third stating that additional countries who wished to join the treaty could if they so desired.  The terms of this agreement were far too idealistic.  This outrageous request made little splash in the world because of its irrational terms.  Despite this attempt at making a bold statement among the other world powers, Coolidges' presidency proved to be incredibly uneventful, right along with Harding's and Hoover's.

LAD #31: Wilson's 14 Points

     At the conclusion of The Great War Wilson drafted a solution that he hoped would maintain peace and stay true to his campaign "A war to end all wars."  Wilsons goal was to conclude the war in a forgiving and charitable manner.  Thus he came up with the 14 point plan, 14 idealistic approaches which he hoped he could maintain in the postwar world.  Among the most famous of Wilsons 14 points were his call for freedom of the seas, lifting of economic barriers, no secret treaties, a reduction of arms an other military productions, colonies which would be able to self determine their soverenighty, and most importantly the creation of the League of naitons.  This league was intended to serve as a peace keeping organization with representatives from all nations. 


Later on Wilson's fourteen points proved to be rather unsuccessful, as the other Allies found them to be too lenient as they saught to more significantly punish their German foes.  As a result he was forced to compromise practically all of his fourteen points except his most cherished League of Nations.