LAD #25 Fourteen Points

The beginning explains the background and how the central empires have agreed to discuss peace. The Russian government gave there principles on making peace. The terms first suggested by Germany and Austria were not the terms choosen. Wilson asks who is Russia dealing with. The United States entered the war because Americans citizens lives were at stake. The first point was to create peace between the nations. The second point was freedom of the seas. The third point was the removal of trade barriers between nations. The fourth point was that nations armys will be reduced. The fifth point was open minded governments. The sixth point was that troops are to leave Russia. The seventh point was that Belgium will be restored. The eigth point was French land will be freed. The ninth point was the lines of Italy will be readjusted. The tenth point was the people of Austria-Hungary were kept safe. The eleventh point some countries will be evacuated. The twelth point was the Turkish part of the ottoman empire will be freed. The thirteenth point was a Polish state will be created. And the fourteenth point was the league of nations.

LAD #24 Clayton Anti-Trust Act

It is against the law for any company to discriminate a price of a certain product in order to create a monopoly. The only way prices of products can change is if they are made differently or use different materials. The Federal Trade Commission is allowed to set limits of what you can sell your for. No company is allowed to set low prices to gain a monopoly and if they are doing so the Federal Trade Commission is allowed to step in and intervene. You are not allowed to accept payment in the form of compensation or other forms. It is illegal for someone to pay for something if they know that it is a discriminatory price. Non-profit businesses are exempted from the discrimatory law. If you are hurt in a job under the Anti-Trust act you are allowed to sue in any United States court.

LAD #23 Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

A census done in 1900 told the American public that over 2 million children were employed working in dangerous conditions. This census created the start of movement towards labor laws for children. Luis Hine was hired to photograph child labor. His pictures depicted the poor health and such that happened when children worked. The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was passed in 1916, it was based on a proposal that was created by Albert J. Beveridge. It was passed except the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional because it interferred with commerce. A different child labor act was then passed in 1918, but was also proved unconstitutional in the case Hammer vs. Dagenhart. Finally in 1941 the Supreme Court revoked there decision in Hammer vs. Dagenhart.

LAD #22 Wilson's Inaugural Address

When Woodrow Wilson was elected the president and vice president were democrats as well as the Senate and House of Representatives. This means that the American public want something to change if the executive and legislative branches are being controlled by Democrats. The United States government is very good and people look up to it. Even though industry and things like that are good we need to think of the men and women lost in order to make the United States a world power. In order to gain something good, you have to lose something as well. Now the United States must cleanse and make things good again. The have come up with a list of things that need to be changed or reconsidered in order for the United States to be running as smoothly. The health of the citizens is another concern and there needs to be more laws and acts passed to insure that Americans health is not jeopardized. If we complete these things then the United States will continue to prosper.

LAD #21 Bryan's "Cross Of Gold" Speech

No time ever previously in history has a political issue like this been so fought over. A little while previously a group of the Democratic party gave a speech explaining that all of the Democrats who were in favor of the free coinage of silver should be therefore in charge of the Democratic party. Well that caused unrest and conflict among the Democratic party. Even though we are all from Massachusetts we want different things and each person comes up and says something different that they want. A group of the Democrats are no longer going to fight or petition they are simiply just going to defy the others. They keep arguing back and forth one group is saying that the income tax passed by the other was unconstitutional and the group that passed it is saying that it was constitutional at the time etc. The other group is accusing them of resenting national bank currency and they keep arguing. The one group thinks that it is the government who should be coining the money.

LAD #20, Populist Party Platform, 1892

The populists began as a result of the famers alliance in the 1870's, it was a political party that was independent of the Democrats and Republicans. The political party of the Populists resented "concentrated capital." The populist party believes that the nation is demoralized and that public opinion is "silenced." They don't like silver is not as accepted as it used to be because gold has now replaced it. There main goal is to restore power into the hands of "plain people." In there platform they state that we need labor unions, they demand a sound currency. They think that an unsound currency is americas main problem, they want the silver to gold ratio to be 16 to 1, they want a graduated income tax. The populist party also believes that governments should own the railroads not private owners. They also want a fair ballot and a fair count in the elections.

LAD #19, Dawes Act

Any indians that have been alloted land on reservations are getting surveyed or resurveyed. Each person in charge of a family will get 1/4 a section of land, anyone whose single and over 18 will get 1/8 a section of land, any child without parents who is under 18 will get 1/8 a section etc. The land in the reservation is intended to be used for agricultural or grazing purposes. If there is not enough land in a reservation for each person then it will go in class structure who gets land and who does not. The land set aside for reservations and how the sections are divided amongst the indians is to be done by an agent appointed by the president. If an indian belongs to a tribe that does not have a reservation they may apply for land in a local land office. The agent that distributes the land will give out patents that says the name of the owner of the land. Indians even under reservations are still expected to abide by government laws civil and criminal. The secretary of the Interior is allowed to regulate rules on irrigation of the indian lands. Some indian tribes are excluded from this act.

LAD #18 McKinley's War Message

At first the United States kept its neutrality policy when Cuba revolted against its Spanish rulers. The United States had to intervene finally and gave Spain and ultimatum, which Spain accepted. McKinley then told Congress to do whatever they could to end the revolt. Spain then never did the ultimatum, which forced the United States to enter the war on the side of the Cubans. President McKinley then addressed Congress. McKinley explained that a war is going on in Cuba and the United States needed to intervene. The revolt that is currently going on has been fought by Cubans against there conquerors Spain for many years now. Because of this war in Cuba, United States trade and investments within Cuba have suffered. McKinley does not think that if the Cubans won the war anything different would happen to change their situation. He made a previous address to Congress last December where he also discussed the Cuban insurrection. Last December he said that the annexation of Cuba would be considered "criminal aggression." Earlier in 1875 President Grant made a statement saying that the United States could not recognize Cuba as and independent nation. McKinley still to this day agrees with President Grants thoughts on Cuba. He said that there are two different ways they can enter the war either making the two sides compromise or by fighting on one specific parties side. At the beginning when the war first started happening the United States tried the compromise idea, but that failed to work since Spain usually ignored there requests. Set by earlier precedents it is ok for the United States to intervene to stop a war in neighboring states and countries. McKinley then gave possible reasons for interventions. One was to put an end to bloodshed and hostilities. A second reason for intervention is that the Cubans were being deprived of their legal protection and it is our job to protect the Cubans legal rights. A third reason for intervention was because of the suffering of commerce and trade. A fourth reason is that Cuba is very close to the United States and the war and revolt could spread. Another reason for United States intervention was the destruction of the Maine which was docked in a Havana harbor. He then said that the issue was up to Congress for them to decide what to do.

LAD #17 Andrew Carnegie: The Gospel Of Wealth, 1889

Andrew Carnegie defied most peoples perceptions of billionaires, by giving away lot's of his money to different charities. There used to not be that big of a difference between the rich and the poor, but as time has progressed the gap has widened. A large gap between rich and poor is not neccessarily a bad thing, if there weren't wealthy people there might never have been art as we know it today. Peoples goals shouldn't be wealth, but to gain competence. There are three different ways to gain wealth, to inherit wealth, get it from the public, or gotten from possessors. The fact that wealthy people have higher taxes demonstrates public opinion towards wealth. Wealthy people should not be showy or ostentatious.

LAD #16 Emancipation Proclamation: January 1, 1863

When this proclamation is issued all men free or slave will be “forever free.” All slaves will now be recognized as free men in all states free or previously slave. All people will be represented in Congress and representatives will be chosen by all people. Any slave that is held in states after the proclamation is issued will now be set free. All slaves will now have to be paid, just like freemen. The slaves that are now free are to all be treated as freemen.

LAD #15 Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

There is less of a reason at the time of Lincoln’s second inaugural speech to give a long address. Lincoln’s first inaugural speech was all about the looming Civil War. The Southern states wanted a war and the Northern states fought the Civil War to save the Union. 1/8 of the people in all of the United States were slaves and they were all located in the south. Even though both sides sort of wanted the Civil War to happen neither side was prepared for the amount of time that the Civil War took. Both sides thought the war would be an easy victory. Both the North and the South pray to the same God, and Lincoln thinks it’s ironic that they both prayed to have their fellow men beat in this war. Finally Lincoln says that after the war, hopefully there will be a lasting peace within the country and out of the country.

LAD #14 Dred Scott Decision

The first time the court met they ruled in favor of Sanford, however the issue of black rights under the Missouri Compromise was ignored. The justice for the case was Nelson and his opinion on the case was no one elses opinion, therfore the court made the justice of the case Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. Taney's decision included stuff that was previously left out of the case such as black rights under the Missouri Compromise. Buchanan knew what the outcome of the case would be and he made sure to mention it and the court in his inauguration speech. He said that the issue of territories deciding if they want to be slave or not is the Supreme Court's decision. The decision was finally given March 6, 1857, two days after Buchanan's inauguration. Taney said that you had to be a citizen to sue in a United States Court. Scott, who was black was not a citizen, therefore he legally could not be suing. Taney then questioned the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise. Taney said that the Missouri Compromise "deprived slave holding citizens of their property" so he deemed the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. Taney dismissed the case for "lack of jurisdiction."

LAD #13 The Gettysburg Address

A few years ago the founding fathers created this nation, the nation that they made all men all equal in is now in a civil war. The lives lost in this war are lives lost in a fight to preserve the Union that our fathers tried so hard to create. Because of the men that lost there lives for this cause we should have a greater appreciation for the dead and for the cause that they fought for. After this civil war hopefully this nation will have a rebirth.

LAD #12 First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is not going to talk about unimportant things right now. There is uncertainty regarding the Southern states at this time. Lincoln is not going to get interefere with the slave states since because of the constitution he cannot. He made this very clear in his platform. It is the rights of the states to decide the issue of slavery. When Lincoln is the president no states will be denied there basic rights. He helps to explain that the fugitive slave controversy by quoting Article IV. Section 2 in the constitution. Congress and the rest of the government officials are to abide by that law. There are arguements about whether the nation or the states should deal with this. The slave doesn't care with who deals with it. Free blacks or slaves should be considered under the clause that states garauntee "the citizens of each stat shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states." There have been 15 great presidents before Lincoln and they all did an excellent job in the executive position. He, however is entering the office at a difficult time: Disunity within the Union. If we follow the constitution the Union will be able to last. The Union, however has lasted longer than the constitution has since the Union was started in 1774 with the Articles of Association. If the Union can be destroyed now it proves that we are weaker than before the constitution was written. No one state is allowed to leave the Union. Lincoln is determined to practice the laws of the constitution in every state. We can preserve the Union without having a war. There are some people who would like to destroy the Union, but there are also those who wish to preserve it. Your rights in the constitution are never denied and if they are then you have a reason to revolt. If a miniority amount of states decide to seceeded, then why can't the majority as well. The United States is constantly changing because of popular opinion and it represents popular sovereignty. Anyone who is against this must be an anarchist. The Judicial branch also has a say in the way the constitution is interpreted they decide what is constitutional and what is not. Part of our country wants slavery and part of it does not. The foreign slave trade is now illegal and is being enforced. United States citizens can peacefully revolt by ammending the constitution. The people of the United States think that the Chief Magistrate should fix the Union, but Lincoln says that the people can help to fix the Union. The people of the United States need to be friends, not enemies.

LAD #12 First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is not going to talk about unimportant things right now. There is uncertainty regarding the Southern states at this time. Lincoln is not going to get interefere with the slave states since because of the constitution he cannot. He made this very clear in his platform. It is the rights of the states to decide the issue of slavery. When Lincoln is the president no states will be denied there basic rights. He helps to explain that the fugitive slave controversy by quoting Article IV. Section 2 in the constitution. Congress and the rest of the government officials are to abide by that law. There are arguements about whether the nation or the states should deal with this. The slave doesn't care with who deals with it. Free blacks or slaves should be considered under the clause that states garauntee "the citizens of each stat shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states." There have been 15 great presidents before Lincoln and they all did an excellent job in the executive position. He, however is entering the office at a difficult time: Disunity within the Union. If we follow the constitution the Union will be able to last. The Union, however has lasted longer than the constitution has since the Union was started in 1774 with the Articles of Association. If the Union can be destroyed now it proves that we are weaker than before the constitution was written. No one state is allowed to leave the Union. Lincoln is determined to practice the laws of the constitution in every state. We can preserve the Union without having a war. There are some people who would like to destroy the Union, but there are also those who wish to preserve it. Your rights in the constitution are never denied and if they are then you have a reason to revolt. If a miniority amount of states decide to seceeded, then why can't the majority as well. The United States is constantly changing because of popular opinion and it represents popular sovereignty. Anyone who is against this must be an anarchist. The Judicial branch also has a say in the way the constitution is interpreted they decide what is constitutional and what is not. Part of our country wants slavery and part of it does not. The foreign slave trade is now illegal and is being enforced. United States citizens can peacefully revolt by ammending the constitution. The people of the United States think that the Chief Magistrate should fix the Union, but Lincoln says that the people can help to fix the Union. The people of the United States need to be friends, not enemies.

LAD #11 Message of President Polk, May 11, 1846

President Polk addressed Congress saying that the relations between the United States and Mexico were not very good at the time. Polk says that he really would like to be at peace with Mexico, but at the time they can't be because the Mexican government isn't treating United States citizens very well. We tried to send an envoy to help repair our relations with Mexico, but the Mexican government refused to meet with him. Mexico then came to United States soil and killed our citizens. The minister of foreign affairs then went to Mexico to try to fix the dispute between the two countries. Slidell the minister of foreign affairs arrived and the Mexican government treated him nicely. The main goal of this meeting was to regain peace between Mexico and the United States. The army was then called in to settle the dispute that could not be solved peacefully. Slidell accomplished nothing and went back to the United States. Next there was a threat that Texas would be invaded by Mexican forces. The force started in Corpus Christi. We then sent another envoy to Mexico and he again was not received. The fighting then moved to Del Norte, and the army received orders not to be aggressive towards Mexican citizens. Polk wants to end the fighting with Mexico.

LAD #10 Calhouns Message

Calhoun thinks that the issue of slavery is putting our union in danger. He has tried to call the two parties together to help preserve it, but it did not work. It is hard to tell exactly what is breaking up the Union because he is unsure of how we can fix it. Calhoun said that the reason is because of the dispute about slavery and the dispute is not new. The South is mad because the North wants to abolition slavery and made many aggressions toward it. Another reason for discontent within the Union is that the two sections of government that were created when the constitution were created are now gone. The North is dominant in all departments of government. They have the most states and the biggest population. A census is to be taken soon and this will decide how many House of Representatives and Electoral Colleges the North can have. New states are about to be admitted into the Union as Northern states, this will increase the number of Northern states from 15-20 and increase the senators 30-40. Currently there are no new states being admitted in the South. There will now be 20 Northern states and 14 Southern states. The South might not have been as mad is this process had been slow and happened without government help. There is a lot of land for Northern states and not as much land for new Southern states. The South is also mad because the tariffs are unfair to them. The North is trying to take over all of the land that the U.S. has gained from the treaty with Mexico. The Northern states aren't giving any land to the South. Calhoun says that because of the tariffs the South has to pay way to much. The tariffs are made as protection and not to put more money in the treasury but to put money in the hands of the manufacturers of the North. These protective tariffs give a lot of money to the North and make the South pay. More Northern territory as well as more money to the North explains why the North dominants all the departments of government. The North are hostile towards the South having slaves and consider slavery a sin. The North also think that slavery in the South gives the U.S. a bad name. The South say that if they got rid of there slaves there whole section would be in poverty. Calhoun says that the South is going to have to choose between succession or abolition. The only way to save the Union is if the U.S. satisfys the Southern wants so that they won't succeed. The South cannot surrender anymore. The issue has to be settled so that we can preserve the Union. The North has to give the South equal opportunity to gain land. The North also has to stop arguing over the slavery issue. The North will be the ones who decide the fate of this Union.

LAD #9 Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions was written in 1848. It declares that both men and women are created equal and they both have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is said that history has shown that men have always tried to dominant women and the declaration gives a list of grievances against men. One grievance states that man never let women vote. Women had to obey laws that they had no say in making. Women were denied rights that men, foreign and native were given. Women have no right to property, even money they earn themselves. Men used to be in charge of divorces and they chose who got to keep the children. Women were not allowed an education and there were no women in the fields of law, medicine, and theology. After the grievances is a list of resolutions that fix the grievances. Some resolutions include, that women and man are no equal. Women will now have a voice in religious assemblies. Women were now allowed to vote.

LAD #8 Monroe Doctrine 1823

The Russian government had asked the United States and Britain to be on friendly terms with them. President Monroe is relunctant to accept these terms for fear that one of these European countries will try to colonize the United States in the future. Spain and Portugal were also both asked. President Monroe comments on how the United States had just sat back and watched all of these nations fight one another for the past few years. Our neutrality policies do not let us get involved in those foreign affairs as well as in "long term" alliances with other countries. The United States only gets involved when our rights have been seriously invaded. However we should agree to have peaceful relations with these countries. We do want ourselves to get involved in the stuff that is going on in Spain and Portugal. If one of these European nations brings their political system to the United States it will destroy our peace we have worked so hard to achieve. We should have friendly realtions with European powers, but not get involved in their affairs.

LAD #7 Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address

Thomas Jefferson is both anxious and excited to take on his first executive position of office. He is humble in the idea of taking over such a vast great country. People are allowed to write and speak whatever they want under the constitution, but he wants everyone in America to unite as a whole. Thomas Jefferson wants the Americans to unite under one mind and heart and live like liberty lets them. He wants everyone to remember the things they have gotten rid of such as religious intolerance and political intolerance. Differences of opinion doesn't matter as long as Americans are united. Whether a person is a Republican or a Federalist it shouldn't matter because they are still Americans. American government is better than other governments because it is representative. The government is also great because it is set up so that power is distributed and is not just in the hands of one individual. Jefferson believes that he holds the principles that are key to run this country. He will treat all men equally, whether it be on religion, politics etc. He will continue with the policy of neutrality in foreign affairs. In America people have many freedoms such as freedom of religion, press etc. He has come to realize that in the position he's in people rarely like presidents as much when they are done in office as when they are voted in. He wishes to keep good opinions about him throughout his time in office.