LAD #37: Brown v. Board of Education

     The elasticity of the Constitution is clear when thinking of the cases Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education. The second case begins with Linda Brown. A 3rd grader who is forced to walk three miles along a railway to go the her "separate but equal" school in the Topeka School District. Linda was not allowed to attend a white school seven blocks away because of her race. Eventually the NAACP stepped into a case that had drawn significant attention. Many others faced these problems and soon argued that the segregated schools created an inferiority complex in the black children that was detracting from their education. The Topeka Board of Education then argued that the segregation was an sufficient representation of preparation for an adult life crippled by segregation. The case was reargued in the Supreme Court and they eventually ruled that it was creating idea that black schools were inferior to the one attended by white students. Therefore making the "separate but equal" decision from Plessy v. Ferguson unconstitutional. Despite this significant decision, the South would remain crippled with racism prevention blacks from achieving their full civil rights. 

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

     Unlike the great wars before it, the Cold War would have a political impact. After a fallout between the Allied powers, the Soviet Union and the United States would engage in an idealogical battle. Truman addresses this battle in his doctrine, first addressing Greece. After WWII, Allied troops evacuated the rest of the German army from the country that left behind a desroyed Greece. Reconstruction was prevented by Soviet troops who incited, hostilities along the northern Greek border. Not much help came from Great Britain and the United Nations so Greece required the immediate aid from the United States in the form of supplies that would equip the Greek army. Truman also noted the dilemma of Turkey, whos modernization and developement required the aid of established nations like the United States. In assissting these countries, the United States would be fulfilling its role as a promoter of democratic freedom as well as becoming the protector of the free world against the spread of Communism. For this reason, Truman asked Congress to send 750 million dollars and a small military force to Greece and Turkey for reconstruction and modernization.

LAD #35: Executive Order No. 9066

    Franklin D. Roosevelt took the future of the nation when passing executive orders, and Executive Order No. 9066 is no different. He granted his Secretary of War, Military Commander, and other military officials under those the ability to maintain a residence in certain areas, foreign and local, for troops. These residences were equipped with adequate supplies to accomodate large numbers of troops. To maintain order, the officials also had the right to use Federal Troops or other local agencies. FDR also authorized and directed the aid of the military residents by Federal and independent agencies by providing food, transportation, hospitalization, and the use of land. To make sure the order would last, it  also included parts that declared its superior status to other orders or proclamations. It did not nullify the things that had come before it, but took the precedence when matters of control over "alien enemies" interfered with the military. It did not interfere with Executive Order 8972 or the work of the FBI.

LAD #34: FDR's Declaration of War

     December 7th, 1941, marked the beginning of the American involvement in WWII. The Japanese attack pushed FDR to declare war on the pacific nation, claiming that the military and the power of the nation backed by the people would ultimately win the war. He asked Congress to consider the danger caused by not punishing Japan, and based on other attacks, that the Japanese had warranted an American declaration of war and a break of diplomatic relations. To protect American interests and for the nation's protection, FDR pushed Congress to declare war. A war that would not have been won without American involvement.

LAD #33: FDR's First Inaugural Address

 

      The wasteland that the Great War left the United states was devastating. Although soon after, the nation would face a new challenge. The roaring twenties gave way to the harsh thirties as the Great Depression ravaged the American economy. Franklin Delano Roosevelt came into office during these tumultuous times, and would address tthe future of the American people. He spoke to the fact that life would not be easy in the next few years, but that people must stay optimistic and positive. As forgiving as Lincoln, FDR did not blame those responsible for the crash he did condemn the the lifestyle of the society that had caused the panic. Greed and self-gain had brought this upon the United States, not the people these emotions preyed upon. To change this mentality, he adovcated a lifestyle and society that would benefit the whole population rather than the individual. Others planned to redistribute the populations of crowded cities, reduce the cost of government, and raise the cost of agriccultural products. The United States had to focus on these problems before they could address the problems abroad. Collective action with self-sacrifice would have to be the new way of life if the state of the country were to get any better. As he summed up the problems that had been set before him, he looked forward to the future. A future filled with hope. As the prolific president said himself, "the only thing to fear is fear itself."

LAD #32: The Kellogg-Briand Pact

     After the gruesome war the defined the early 20th century, in 1928 world leaders met to discuss of the use of war in the future. The horror that countries committed on each other were to be outlawed, as these countries renounced the use of war "as an instrument of their national policy." At least three times, the countries and their respective representatives are listed and it then goes on to list three articles and the countries that signed the treaty. Article I, short and simple, condemns the use of war as a nation's foreign policy. Article II says that all disputes, no matter their origin, shall be decided by only by "pacific means." Article III, much longer than the previous two, lists the more logistical aspects of its ratification. Firstly it says that the treaty will be in accordance of the respective nation's constitutions and will be ratified when "all their several instruments of ratification" are in Washington. Secondly, when the treaty is finally ratified will remain open until all nations have adhered to its statutes. Thirdly, that each nation shall be furnished a copy of the treaty and shall notify each country when it is ratified. In its conclusion it ties up loose ends by reenforcing what was already stated and that the United States puts its seal of approval on the document.

LAD #31: The Fourteen Points

      As unprecedented as the beginning, the end of the Great War saw large talk about the future of the world. Wilson, in his address to Congress addressed the retreat of Russians at the end of the war and the consequences of this. With the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Russia settled its problems with the Central Powers and left the British and French to fight. While applauding, Wilson questioned the thinking behind such a decision as they kept all land after the treaty. He became skeptical of the "democratic" process that was occurring largely because he was unsure of Russian motives and the German involvement. In order to protect democracy and justice, Wilson declares that it is now the United States' duty to join the conflict and present its own plan. With the conclusion of the fighting, Wilson hoped that the people of different countries could become more harmonious to maintain order and peace. Perhaps unrealistically and more so idealistically Wilson hoped to restrict the practices that had become normal in many countries. He suggested that secret treaties come to an end, freedom of the seas, end of economic barriers, self-determination for colonies, and the reacquisition of lost territory to Russia, France, Italy, and Belgium. As well as peaceful organization of Austria Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and the other Balkan states that made up to "powder keg" as well as a League of Nations.