LAD #28: Wilson's First Inaugural

Woodrow Wilson began his First Inagural Address by praising the industrial sucess and politcal integrity of America. But next he states how Americans are watseful and that they have not effectivley evaluated the physical costs of human life. He claimed the U.S. Government was not doing it's duty to properly protect citizens. In a response to that problem, President Wilson states that "our duty is to cleanse, to reconsider, to restore, (and) to correct the evil without impairing the good, to purify and humanize every process of our common life without weakening or sentimentalizing it." He reminds the American people that the Government's duty is to serve and protect the people, rich and poor, being as fair as possible in doing so.

He directly addresses an unjust tariff, restricting the industrial system, a corrupt bank and currency system, as well as a misuse of natural resources, he seeks to restore security to a vulnerable society.

LAD #27: Clayton Anti Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was put in place in order to increase the control over big business. It was passed during Woodrow Wilson's Presidency and it set the standards for how business's are regulated today. Passed years before, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act just monitered the big business's, using the Clayton Anti-Trust Act act trusts were able to be broken up by Roosevelt. The Act, passed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Act, was used to regulate the behaviors of large corporations with regards to the law. A big difference between the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the Clayton Anti-Trust Act was that the Clayton Anti-Trust Act could not be used against labor unions. Now, unlike in the past, strikes, pickets, and labor unions could be enacted against big businesses without interference from the government.

LAD #26: "I Have a Dream"

Martin Luther King Jr. starts his speech similarly to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address saying that five score years ago the emancipation proclamation was signed freeing all slaves. He then goes on saying that nearly one hundred years later these "free" blacks are not free at all or treated fairly. He continues describing the bad conditions that the blacks live in today and preaches that now is the time to open the doors for God's children. He assures people that they will not turn to violence but will not be satisfied until they get what is desired. Then King goes on talking about his dream for blacks living in this country; a dream where they will live peacefully alongside whites, and the nation will uphold it's promise to let men live freely.

LAD #25: The Dawes Act

The Dawes Act of 1887 was primarily calling for the protection of Indian reservations. The government  carried the Dawes Act out peacefully by allowing the natives to maintain a large enough section, which was based upon age and family size. The Dawes Act created provisional lines that allowed for each tribe to maintain a certain amount of land which limited the number of tribal disputes. The U.S. government in order to ensure complete Native American happiness gave them patents saying the land would remain theirs as long as they did not leave the Country. During this time their economic activity would be watched carefully and the Government could distribute land for homes, irrigation systems, and educational facilities. Finally, citizenship was offered to all Natives who agreed to follow the act followed the laws, and were born within the borders of the United States. Unfortunately, the act did not apply to all native tribes, specifically, the tribes moved by Jackson and the Seneca Nation in New York. 

LAD #24: The Cross of Gold

William Jennings Bryan delivered the "Cross of Gold" speech to the Democratic Convention in 1896. He integrated the values of the Populist Party and agreed with their views on the coinage of silver and gold. The only issue he says he wants to discuss during this speech is the question of money and the protection of the common man from big business and government. He says that the Republican economic views have favored the entrepreneurs and robber-barons for far too long. Bryan also brings up the issue of the income tax law. He believes that if individuals are to partake in such a law that their security must be guaranteed by the government as it is clearly stated in the United States Constitution. Bryan is compared to Jackson because the have similar views on the B.U.S. and the income tax law, as well as Jefferson in regards to his belief that money is a function of the government and not the banks. Bryan effectively argues for the introduction of the gold standard, successfully merging the Populist and Democratic parties. 

LAD #23: The Populist Party Platform

In reaction to the rise of big business within America the Populist Party Platform, the party devised a "Declaration of Independence" condemning the atrocities present within cities and hopes for self-protection by the abuses of big business. They were claiming to represent the political desires and rights of the common working man. He argues that agricultural productivity allows for billions of dollars to be generated on account of crops, but these crops lower the value of the dollar, leaving those that produce the raw materials for finished goods in a ring of depression and falling prices, prompting poverty. They are against the use of silver and gold coinage, legalizing of union labor forces, and government ownership of industries such as railroads, telegraph, and telephone. Their main concern is for fair voting rights and political safety. 

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

In his Message to Congress in April 1898, President Mckinley states his belief that the War between Cuba and Spain should be brought to a close as quickly as possible. He says the constant clashes between Cuba and Spain are harmful to American trade and their capital investments in those countries. Mckinley urges Congress to try and end the War by any number of means necessary. He said even neutral intervention would be ok as long as forceful annexation can be avoided. When Mckinley looks at the big picture and see's that he will most likely be forced to side with either the Cubans or the Spanish he said he would side with the Spanish to end the hostile and revolutionary acts of the insurgents. Lastly, the United States would be called in to eliminate any hostilities that would endanger the well being of America itself. In conclusion, the two nations, having spheres of influence both economically and socially with America, the United States had a duty to pacify Cuba in the end.