LAD #37: Brown v. Board of Education

 

 New York Times front page after the trial




In this court case, the NAACP challenges the Topeka school system on behalf of Linda Brown and her family. Linda had to walk a mile through a railroad crossing to get to her black public school, although a white school was only 7 blocks away. On her behalf, the NAACP argued that by separating the schools, the school system is inherently denying black children the best education available to them. Therefore, their policy of "separate but equal" was inherently unequal, and could never be equal while segregated. However, the local court ruled according to the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which stated that separate but equal facilities were allowed. Brown and the NAACP appealed to the Supreme Court, who overturned the decision nationwide and declared that segregation in schools based on race was unconstitutional.

LAD #34: The Truman Doctrine

 

Harold

In this address, Truman asks Congress to give US financial aid to Greece. Greece had previously reached out to the United States after being ravaged by war, and occupied and threatened by the presence of communists within their country. In the interest of containing the spread of communism, Truman seeks to comply with Greek wishes, to receive American ambassadors who will assist and aid the country in reconstructing postbellum. He also acknowledges that Turkey has requested US aid, and that aiding that country may be necessary in the future. Truman claims that the US foreign policy and their involvement in the UN create an obligation for the country to protect democracy and freedom across the world. As Greece and Turkey both want the US's help to remain democratic, he intends to help them given the opportunity.

LAD #34: FDR's Declaration of War



This was the speech given to the American people and the world population after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt informs the people of his nation that on December 7th, 1941, the day before the speech was given, an attack was made on the United States by Japan, despite the two countries formally being at peace. The attack was deliberately planned for weeks while the nation of Japan was involved in peace talks with the US. FDR mentions that Japan also led a surprise attack against many other nations and regions on the same day. He moves to mobilize the military to defend against further attacks, and assures that this form of treachery should never endanger American lives again. Finally, Roosevelt closes by asking Congress to formally declare war.

LAD #33: FDR's Inaugural Address



President Roosevelt begins this speech by reassuring Americans that, in his famous words, "there is nothing to fear but fear itself." Although economically, America had fallen on hard times, FDR did not want people to be afraid, make poor economic decisions, and only make the situation worse. Further in his speech, he talks about his plan to put people to work, creating jobs and stimulating the economy. This plan would be accomplished primarily through government recruitment, as then people could do good for the country while also working and earning income. FDR talks about redistributing land to benefit farmers and agriculture. He also calls for regulation of banks, who at the time were rampantly speculating with Americans' money, and actively decides to focus on a strong domestic economy before any foreign affairs. He claims that if he needs to bend the Constitution to benefit the American people, then he will not hesitate to do so.

LAD #32: Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact

 

Signing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact

The Kellogg-Briand Pact was a treaty signed at Paris on August 27, 1928, by 11 nations including the US, Great Britain, Germany, and Italy. Poland, Belgium, France, and Japan also all signed it within a year. This treaty renounced war as a way for nations to exercise foreign policy. It had several articles, the first of which required signatory nations to condemn war and acts of war, the second of which required resolution of conflicts to be sought with peaceful means. The third point required the signatory nations to enforce the first two articles, and allowed for individual interpretation based on the constitutions of each country.

LAD #31: Wilson's 14 Points

He scares me.



The 14-point plan outlined by US President Woodrow Wilson after World War I's conclusion were focused on creating open and direct peace agreements between belligerents. He points out that the US only entered the war because their interests and the interests of their people were in danger, and they are only interested in making sure the people of the world are safe. This is reflected in his points, which call for, in order:

1. Open covenants of peace
2. Freedom of the seas
3. Equality of trade conditions between nations
4. Reduction of national armaments (not of any specific country, rather of all belligerents)
5. Impartial adjustment of colonial claims
6. Evacuation of Russian territory
7. Evacuation and restoration of Belgium
8. Freedom of French territory and settlement of prior conflicts
9. Readjustment of the frontiers of Italy
10. Austro-Hungarian freedom of autonomy
11. Independence of the Balkan states
12. Autonomy of Ottoman-controlled nationalities
13. Creation of an Independent Polish State
14. Association of nations formed to affirm mutual guarantees of independence and integrity

Many of Wilson's points focused on peace talks, allowing smaller nations to gain autonomy, and the general demilitarization of all world powers. However, this was challenged by Britain and France, who wanted heavy reparations to be paid by Germany for the destruction of the war. These reparation payments would breed further hostility in Europe and set the stage for World War II.

LAD #30: Schenck v. United States

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. a.k.a. "The Mustache"



In 1918, Charles Schenck, a leader of the Socialist Party in Philadelphia, was brought before the Supreme Court after mailing out pamphlets to draftees during World War I urging them to resist the draft. Schenck was strongly opposed to the draft, believing it to be motivated by capitalism, and told the draftees not to submit to US intimidation. Since he was obstructing recruitment into the US military and trying to cause insubordination, Schenck was charged with conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act of 1917, which prohibited either of these acts. Although free speech and free press are protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, the court unanimously found Schenck guilty, as he was in direct violation of this act. Justice Oliver W. Holmes Jr. claimed that if words prove to provide a "clear and present danger" to the United States or its people, they should be protected from that danger.