LAD #28

Wilsons First Inaugural Address

The Election of 1912 was one of great importance in American history. Woodrow Wilson was a Democrat who defeated the Republican William H. Taft and Theodore Roosevelt from the Progressive Party in this election. Wilsons inauguration reflected his Democratic principles which hoped to change the nation with after his big victory over two former Presidents. Wilson first addressed the greatness of the US as a nation, mentioning the intelligent leaders and individuals that had helped to developed the country into a world power in just a few hundred years. Next, he talked about the government which these individuals were responsible for shaping and how powerful it had become. He then went on to address the bad things which resulted from the Industrial Era. He believed it was his duty to fix these problems like the tariff and monopolies at the time. He made this a strong point, constantly stating that he will fix the economy and all people who went against these ideals would be brought to justice! He closed his speech with some confidence, pledging that he would work hard in his term, that today was the day his dedication to America began, and for the next four years his only goal would be to fix the country which he now held the power of in his own hands.

LAD #27

 The Clayton Anti-Trust Act

This act pointed out many things including unlawful monopolies and restraints. It was the act which followed up on the failure of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. In section 2 of the text it states that under this act it would be considered unlawful to charge different prices for the same product when involved in commerce. This helped to limit monopoly practices, stop major companies from rebates, cutting prices, making contracts with other companies and more. Between the Clayton Anti-Trust Act, and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, there are several differences as well as similarities. An example of this is that labor unions were no longer considered hindrances of the US economy. And so at this time  labor unions legally played a big part in reform.

LAD #26

 In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, King speaks on behalf of all African American people and their rights. He begins with how 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, the Negro is still not free and is still treated as inferiors to whites. The Declaration of Independence had stated that all men including black men would be guaranteed "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness", yet this still was not the case at the time. King then states how there was no justice among the people, and he wanted to help "make justice a reality for all of God's children." He will not be satisfied until this is achieved for all men and not just the white population. The monumental speech ends with several "I have a dream..." statements and is ultimately wrapped up with this last line of the speech: "...will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!" Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech is one that will never be forgotten and on this day America thanks him.

LAD #25

Dawes Severalty Act


The Dawes Severalty Act is stressed upon the subject of Indian Reserves in America. This act states that the President is authorized to survey any Indian reservation and separate it however he may choose to do so in order help Native Americans adapt to the US culture. Each Native American family would be given a section of land as their own under the US government in order to welcome them into America as citizens. However they did not get complete control over their land, there would be a patent which declared that the US would hold the land for 25 years until satisfied, this time could also be extend by the President until the Natives could be trusted. Overall the goal of this act was to get Native Americans to become a part of American culture so that they would no longer interfere in issues in the United States. The Dawes Severalty Act was a successful way to assimilate Native Americans into America with protection and guaranteed land even despite the fact that they were controlled by the US government.

LAD #24

Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech

William Jennings Bryan was the brains behind the Cross of Gold speech. Bryan’s main point regarded the issue of weather or not Silver should be coined at a 16:1 ratio to Gold to quicken the circulation of money and try and help the poor struggling farmers of America out of their debt. His speech proved to be very powerful and inspiring due to the fact that the next day, the Democrats put him as a candidate on their ballot for the next President. Bryan stated in his speech that the currency and economy of America was destroying the south and west as the people out there who depended on farming and the other ways they made a living were all crushed by the economy that was supposed to help them. Some believed Bryan was an anarchist after painting a picture with his words of America being crucified on a cross made of Gold, the metal they so treasure because they have made it a thing of such high value that it would destroy the rest of the economy including the people who have made the US so powerful. Bryan was able to see from the peoples point of view. He was able to express what almost every farmer, miner, cowboy and any other person being hurt by the economic flaws of the US wanted to say in such a powerful way that he won the Democratic ballot to be the president and his speech is regarded as one of the best in history.

LAD #23

 Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party represented an independent third party who opposed "concentrated capital". At this time there was a lot of corruption among voting and other governmental issues with the conditions in the industrial society. Currency had become an issue with silver and gold and some believed that this money was responsible for causing the destruction of civilization. The populists goal was to restore the government to the hands of the people. They wanted to change these ways of the government and take the power into their own hands in order to "correct these evils...". A very persistent party they were as they stated that they would not back down until equality was secure. Three strong statements were proposed by the populists: first the union be permanent, second wealth and labor conditions belong to those who deserve them, and third the railroads be managed and controlled by the people. Next there are a list of proposals and demands regarding finance, transportation and land. Lastly there is a list of some expressions of sentiments which state that these things must be resolved in order for this to work out in their favor. This time emerged as the Populist Movement and their prepositions proved them to be helpful throughout the Gilded Age.

LAD #22

McKinley's War Message

McKinley wanted to put an end to the war with Cuba. He believed that it would be in all Americans interest to end this war for good. As a result of this however, Congress found a resolution that somehow brought the US to side with the Cubans in war. He states how throughout the war with Cuba trade and the economy had suffered. McKinley then states four conditions for an intervention. The first being that it is our duty to help Cuba out and put an end to the hostility. Second we owe to Cuba our hospitality in which they cannot gain from their own government. Third because of all of the damage done to our economy and trade we have the right to intervene. And lastly it is important or us to find peace with Cuba so that we are able to prevent further conflict from occurring. He states how we have lost too many men in our nation because of this fighting and it needs to be fixed. In the ends McKinley makes it clear that he wants to resolve the conflict between our and the Cuban government to ensure "peace and tranquility and the security of its citizens as well as our own".