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 ...

LAD/Blog #32: Wilson's 14 Points of Peace: Woodrow Wilson proposed his Fourteen Points on January 8, 1918. These points created a basis for peace and were later incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles. However, these points, to a greater extent, were idealistic. This is reflected in the failure of the Treaty of Versailles. Wilson did not plan to punish Germany. However, his points were too  lenient for some of the Allies. France, for example, wanted to implicate harsh penalties and war reparations on Germany. Hence, the War Guilt Clause was created. Therefore, it is clear that the Fourteen Points were far too idealistic. Wilson could not implement the freedom of navigation, removal of economic barriers, and creation of new boundaries, amongst other points. Especially, he could not enforce the creation of the League of Nations, which the US refused to enter. As seen in the leniency of the points and the reaction of the US and other nations, Wilsons points were, to a greate...

LAD/Blog #31: Schenck V. United States: In World War I, Schenck distributed circulars, which are letters addressed to a large group of people, with the purpose of getting the attention of those being drafted. He argued against the draft but only suggested peaceful action or resistance against the Conscription Act (and act that made the first wartime draft in the United States). However, Justice Holmes ruled that Schenck's actions violated the Espionage Act since his letters seemed to talk down the military and discourage people from attending. Holmes argued that Schenck's letters presented a "clear and present danger" so, Congress had the right to stop and prevent these actions. This is similar to the Peter Zenger trial since in this trial, Zenger was tried with speaking out against the government like Schenck.

LAD/Blog #30: Wilson's First Inaugural: Woodrow Wilson ran for president in 1912 and was elected as the democratic candidate. Wilson acknowledges the change in government--how it has become democratic. Wilson addresses certain aspects of the nation, including individuals, wealth, and the government. He then goes on to explain the "inexcusable waste" of the Gilded Age. Wilson looks to cleanse and reconsider. As a progressive president, he is clearly looking inward and hoping to make reform. Wilson emphasizes the need for laws to protect US citizens. He, at the end, states " This is not a day of triumph; it is a day of dedication," urging the people to dedicate themselves to the cause of reforming. This is similar to JFK's inaugural address who says the US can meet any hardships, like the hardships of reform during Wilsons time.

LAD/Blog #29: Clayton Anti-Trust Act: The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was passed in 1914 during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. The candidates in the previous election all agreed that the government, especially the Supreme Court, had been too lenient with the big businesses, so they believed the government needed to strengthen antitrust laws. The Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914 prohibited price discrimination, prohibited certain deal practices, expanded the power of private organizations to sue and obtain damages, allowed a labor exemption that permitted union organizing and prohibited anticompetitive mergers. The Sherman Anti Trust Act of 1890 was the first major legislation against the practices of big businesses. However, the Sherman Act, while it was expanded, was not as enforced. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are the two federal agencies that enforce antitrust laws. Both the Clayton Anti Trust Act and the Sherman Anti Trust Act regulated big busin...

LAD/Blog #28: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act: The  Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was an Act passed in 1916 prohibiting the shipment of goods or products between states if the product was worked on by a child in the past 30 days. Children younger than fourteen cannot work on these items and children between  fourteen and sixteen cannot work more than eight hours in a day, six days in a week, after seven, or before six. This act contributed to the progressive movement by regulating the extreme conditions under which employees worked. However, the Supreme Court eventually declared this act unconstitutional on the grounds that child labor was not involved with interstate commerce therefore, the states should decide how to regulate it.  Similarly, in John Spargo's The Bitter Cry of the Children, he advocated against child labor.

LAD/Blog #27: MLK, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech: Martin Luther King Jr. was a well-known advocate of civil rights. He protested discrimination and segregation, and his "I have a dream" speech clearly voices his support of integration between black and white communities and living in peace. He starts off stating how great his demonstration will be--one that will go down in history. King then references Lincoln and his Emancipation Proclamation. However, he urges that even one hundred years after the emancipating of slaves, the black population is still held down by society in terms of discrimination and segregation. King compares the struggle of the black community to a check. The check, in comparison to the Constitution, was meant to be for every American: both white and black. Nonetheless, for blacks, the check was marked "insufficient funds." But, King does not believe the "bank of justice is bankrupt." He continues to push for the ...

LAD/Blog #26: William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech: On July 9th, 1896, William Jennings Bryan presented his "Cross of Gold" speech. This is to address the issue over the free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold 16 to 1. He lays the foundations of his speech with " individual is but an atom; he is born, he acts, he dies; but principles are eternal; and this has been a contest of principle." Bryan is stating how running in an election has everything to do with humanitarian principles. He addresses how Democrats have proposed the issue of money, but ties and friendships are still disregarded. He speaks out against the dominating businesses of the time, and, instead, he states how they are all businessmen. Bryan also encourages to fight " in the defense of our homes, our families, and posterity." Bryan ends with if anyone tries to defend the gold standard, he will "fight" them because he believes people sho...

LAD/Blog #25: The Dawes Act: The Dawes Act was enacted by Congress in 1887. It was an Act to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on various reservations. Therefore, the President can divide up common or tribal lands so an individual owns them. Some land is allotted to each head of the family, each single person over 18, each orphan under 18, and each single person under 18 who was born before the Dawes Act. This gives power to the American government and the President, who can reserve land when needed and can even give it to American settlers. Native Americans not on a reservation will be given an equal allotment. Also, the allotment holder will become a US citizen. However, the 5 civilized tribes were left out of this agreement.  The HomeStead Act of 1862 is similar to the Dawes Act in that it offered land to American settlers.

LAD/Blog #24: Populist (People's) Party Platform: In the Preamble, the populist party states how the people of America were demoralized and the public opinion had been suppressed. They pledge to fix two evils: the fact that the industries of America support only a few wealthy people or companies and that the currency is not adequate. In the platform, they voice how the union of labor forces will be permanent, wealth belongs to the individual who is responsible, and that there should be regulation of railroads. They also emphasizes the need for a secure national currency. They demand free and unlimited coinage of silver to gold, circulation increases, a graduated income tax, and that state and national revenues be limited. They additionally encourage that transportation is a public necessity and that land is a heritage of the people. In the Expression of the Sentiments, they list resolutions including free ballot, support for fair and liberal pensions for soldiers, limiting t...

LAD/Blog #23: McKinley's War Message: Although William McKinley had disagreed with the public's demands for war, he gave in. He realized he finally had to address the conflict and the concerns of the public. He recognizes that the insurrections in Cuba had happened often and Cuba is trying to escape oppression. Even though they have tried to avoid foreign involvement, trade was suffering, money was lost and people began getting angry. Attempts at peace were made, but Spain remained in control. McKinely looks to physically exhaust the Spanish, since a military victory seems impractical. Spain offered to leave the option of peace up to the preparation of the insular parliament. However, the Spanish did not plan to free Cuba. McKinley voices how his views have changed over time and now believes the intervention of the US is justifiable. He is lead to ask Congress because: It is America's duty to end the inhumane treatment, especially since Cuba is so close. America ...

LAD/Blog #22: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth" voices how the difference between the rich and the poor have benefited civilization. Carnegie incorporates the idea of Social Darwinism, or survival of the fittest. He expresses that " while the law may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it insures the survival of the fittest in every department." Therefore, Carnegie portrays how the imbalance in the society had been beneficial since the "strongest" citizens are the people who advance.  He says that the "good old times" were not really the "good old times;" that the capitalism that has grown in society has created an imbalance. Yet, this imbalance is not bad. It is good, in fact. It is better than a sense of comfort within the community. So, Carnegie asks, "What is the proper mode of administering wealth?" He states it can be either passed down thr...

LAD/Blog #21: Emancipation Proclamation: The Battle of Antietam gave Lincoln a victory he needed in order to issue his Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation declared all slaves in the South free. It also orders people to maintain and respect their freedom, instead of repressing their rights. Therefore, he demonstrates that any slaves who are able to escape the Confederate government are free. He goes on to list rebellious states. However, he does not include parts of Virginia and Louisiana because, being border states, he feared they would also secede. He ends by saying his hopes for nonviolence and justice. Just as the Emancipation Proclamation declared an end to slavery, Brown v. Board of Education declared an end to segregation.

LAD/Blog #20: Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address: Lincoln starts off by saying there is no new information that he can give to the public. The public already knows of the "progress of our arms," meaning the progression of the war. Lincoln states that no side wanted war, but one side wanted to stay unified and the other to split, therefore the war started. He then talks about how slavery acted as a cause for war and, when the war came, neither side anticipated its magnitude or the difficulty of triumph. He discusses God, how God's judgements are "righteous and true altogether." To end his Inaugural Address, Lincoln urges the nation to end the war and start to rebuild the country so peace can be achieved. Lincoln's second Inaugural Address is similar to Woodrow Wilson's second Inaugural Address since both stressed unity. Wilson encouraged the nation to provide "united aid."