Livia's APUSH Blog

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,...

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. He urged that the United States needed to aid Greece. 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. This clearly worried Truman as they were vulnerable to succumbing to communism. 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 pre...

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. This permitted the Secretary of War and Military Commanders to take adequate measures in enforcing this order. 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...

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, w as " 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.  This is similar to the declaration of war during World War I because the US was forced to abandon their policy of neutrality and had to defend the...

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 part portrayed how the children had become integrated into American life, but knew the fact that the U.S. was against Japan would greatly impact their lives. Second of all, the part where Sox sees the army-style barracks and says she wants to stay there. However, she is told she can't. This is truly heartbreaking because she then goes on to see that their new h...

LAD/Blog #33: Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact:  The Kellogg-Briand Pact, or the Pact of Paris, was signed in the 1928 as an agreement to outlaw war to prevent another conflict. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aristide Briand, proposed the pact as an agreement between France and the United States to avoid war between them. However, President Coolidge and Frank B. Kellogg, the Secretary of State, were not completely supportive of the agreement and worried it would be considered an alliance which US would have to intervene if France was ever threatened. Therefore, they proposed that all nations be invited to outlaw war. The Pact agreed to outlaw war and use signatures to settle disputes in a peaceful manner. On August 27, 1928, fifteen countries signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact ( France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Italy and Japan). Eventually, other nations signed t...

LAD/Blog #34: FDR's First Inaugural: On March 4th, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his first inaugural address. He begins the speech by stating that the Nation is facing threatening conditions but he will respond to these to allow the country to prosper. 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. Roosevelt understands that the public wants action. He suggests treating the issue like it was war, meaning mobilizing America and lowering unemployment. The President is going to have safeguards, regulation, and stop speculation. He then discusses his good neighbor policy which he plans ...