Ava’s AP American Blog

Linda Brown was denied entry into all-white elementary schools in Topeka. Her father took action and filed a case against Topeka's Board of Education. This supreme court case became known as Brown V. Board of Education. He argued that Linda should have not to attend a black only school because the segregation that existed violated the 14th amendment. Earl Warren served as the judge for this case and ruled that   “in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place,” as segregated schools are “inherently unequal.”  On the other hand,  Plessy V. Ferguson had the opposite response as it further enforced segregation, with the logic "separate but equal"

President Truman first addresses the disastrous impacts WWII had on Turkey. Due to the country's lack of natural resources, they depend on other nations to stimulate their economy. They are extremely susceptible to invasions and lost many people, crops, livestock, and land during the war. It was very difficult for them to recover, leading them to seek assistance from the United States. Similarly, Greek also requires aid because they have a weak army useless against providing protection against attacks. The Truman Doctrine aimed to contain communism in Europe because he believes that a weak nation has a higher chance of being overtaken by it. The Red Scare was a wave of paranoia and fear that hit America, causing the President to take action in order to control those emotions.

After the Pearl Harbor bombing, Americans feared the Japanese and FDR took measures to ease their worries, like passing Executive Order #9066. It gave Military Commanders, the Secretary of War, and the Commander in Chief of the Navy and Army control over the internment camps. They are able to manage who leaves or enters, along with other services like food, shelter, and transportation. Sox from "Home was A Horse Stall" was sent to an internment camp and described the limiting conditions of it. Fear can cloud up one's judgment and rationality, which I believe is what occurred in people after the bombing. Their patriotism shifted into intolerance. Donald Trump has placed refugees into internment places. 

"A date which will live in infamy" is the quote FDR used to refer to December 7, 1941, where the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, resulting in the loss of many American lives. On the following day, he declared war on Japan. Previous to the attack, the United States believed that they shared peaceful relations and suspected no acts of violence. The country had to defend itself against hostilities and FDR is confident in the military securing victory. Japan has continued its attacks on places like Guam, Malaya, and the Philippines Islands.  Jeanette Rankin became known as, "Japanette Rankin" after voting against the declaration of war.  War is declared by both Wilson and FDR, though Wilson experienced more opposing views in the Senate than FDR.

Due to Japan bombing Pearl Harbor, prejudice and tensions increased against the Japanese population in America. President Teddy Roosevelt created the Civilian Exclusion Order No. 27, where 112,000 Japanese people were sent to  Japanese Internment Camps. Sox received differing reactions from the people around her. The worker at the post office would purposely hold on to her mail so he could target her with invasive questions. He asked about her thoughts on the bombing and future of the Japanese. However, she experienced kindness from Mrs. Perkins, a woman her family worked. She prepared breakfast for them on the day of their departure. The camps featured small living spaces and soldiers that were unafraid to shoot anybody that came near the fence. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was later passed and $20,000 was given to people that were sent to the camps.  Anti-Japanese propaganda was used to further fuel hatred towards the Japanese

FDR begins his speech by stating his desire to be truthful nd open about the condition of the country. The Great Depression has destroyed the morale and lives of millions of Americans, whom he tries to comfort with his famous quote, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. It places reassurance in their hearts that he will lead them in this dark period of time. His words are very comforting, as he acknowledges the pain materialism brings, for it has been tied to happiness for too long. The public should develop gratitude for everything they have, and FDR offers solutions to this disaster, like safeguards and redistribution. FDR and Abraham Lincoln have similar undertones in their inaugural addresses because just like how FDR is dealing with the Great Depression, Lincoln has to manage the growing divide between the North and South, both leaving great strain on the country.

The Kellog-Briand Peace Pact involved two men, Nicholas Murrary Butler and James T. Shotwell. It is also called the Pact of Paris and was signed in 1928 by 15 countries in total. It aimed to preserve peace and make sure that the Great War was in fact, the war that ended all wars. It can be enforced by promoting demilitarization. The Mukden incident was when Japan invaded Manchuria, and it proved the ineffectiveness of the pact. The United States did not take any action to halt Japan in its tracks.  The Mukden incident proved that other nation's need to conquest other lands cannot be suppressed

Woodrow Wilson starts off his speech by addressing that the United States had to enter the war because they encountered many violations. He then lists off his fourteen points which do appear idealistic. They revolve around countries agreeing to equal trade conditions, the reduction of arms, and freedom of the seas. It is unlikely that every nation involved would be cooperative and put aside ulterior motives that would reap them benefits, whether it's politically or economically.  The fourteenth point is about the formation of nations for the purpose of addressing issues like political independence. It resulted in the League of Nations. This political cartoon reflects the perspective that the League of Nations would not meet the idealized standard set in Wilson's 14 points

Charles Shenck was a socialist who distributed pamphlets with Elizabeth Baer about how the draft went against the 13th amendment. Although it recommended "peaceful action", Shenck was nevertheless taken to court. He was charged with violating the Espionage Act because it disturbed recruitment. However, Shenck argued that the act violated the first amendment. Despite his efforts, Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes compared his distribution of pamphlets to shouting "Fire" in a theatre. Although Shenck and Baer were against the draft due to the first amendment, people in other countries like Israel also share opposition. In this photo, it is for religious reasons.

Martin Luther King first began his speech by addressing how even though black people are freed from slavery, factors like discrimination and segregation still prevent them from fully living their lives. The Declaration of Independence discusses the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness but it is not available for many black people. Afterward, he starts listing off several of his dreams. The country will recognize all men as equal and states like Georgia and Mississipi become more tolerant of former slaves, with white people putting aside their oppressive views. MLK and Malcolm X have both advocated for racial equality

Woodrow Wilson first discusses industrialization in a positive tone. He praises the intelligence of the captains of industry and states how a great system of government has been built up. However, many downsides accompany it. It has led to a build-up of waste and lack of concern for nature. Humans lives have been lost and their safety is no longer the government's main concern, as it has become selfish. Wilson wants the people to pay attention to these issues instead of neglecting them. He calls for reform and change.   The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire is an example of the negatives of Industrialization

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914 targeted big corporations, like the Sherman Anti-trust Act. It prohibite d many actions , like price discrimination.  Businesses would no longer be allowed to have charge different prices in cities. They would often lower their prices in cities, with the intention of ridding competition and raise them in ones where they held a monopoly. Tying and exclusive dealing were also issues dealt with under this act. Overall, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act had a greater impact than the Sherman Anti-Trust Act because this was more enforced, by businesses such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. Woodrow Wilson believed more attention should be paid towards trusts

The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was intended to address the purchase of goods that were derived from child labor. It focused on punishing shippers who were involved in the transaction by prosecuting them. Rules and regulations were adopted as well. A person would have the role of "Secretary of Labor" and inspect workplaces like factories. Although this act aimed to help child workers, it was unfortunately declared unconstitutional in 1918 by the Supreme Court. The government did not have the right to control interstate commerce. These pictures depict children working in factories

This speech was delivered on July 9, 1896. It was made concerning the coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1. He claimed that Democrats brought up the topic and it came at a cost, for love and friendship were put at risk. He does not intend to come off as an aggressor, for his true intent is to defend his family. His petitions have been constantly ignored and mocked, so now is the time for him to escalate it to a new level. This political cartoon depicts him as a savior of the people

This act made it so that the President had the power to divide up the land into reservations for Native Americans to reside on. They had to be relocated and this was the method. The head of each family would control the land given to them. The government also had control in this, for they could decide who to give the land to. This act is similar to the Homestead Act

The preamble discusses the corruption that lies in the government and in the polls, for people are often tempted with bribes and intimidation. The democrat and republican party has continuously fought for power for the past decades. Neither of them has made an effort to combat the growing problem for the working class. The platform declares that the wealth belongs to those who contributed to the labor involved. Additionally, there should be a stable and safe national currency. The resolutions included a free ballot, pensions to ex-Union soldiers, shorter working hours, and for people to stop buying goods from companies that carry out oppression. Donald Trump shares similar ideas presented, for he supports the working class and argues for greater benefits.

President Mckinley addresses the tensions between Cuba and Spain, which has caused damage to American trade, commerce, and the public's wellbeing. He also had several other reasons to go to war, and believes that this issue should be dealt with by Congress. The reasons were that conflict was occurring near the United States, it interfered with trade and America had a responsibility to protect the Cubans. Although he was previously against the thought of going to war, his mindset has changed. Mckinley also addressed the sinking of the USS Maine, which contributed to the war

Social Darwinism focuses on survival of the strongest and relies on natural selection to eliminate the weak. Carnegie states that before society revolutionized, there was a common belief that the poor and rich should both contribute towards a common goal. However, a economic divide between the higher and lower class is actually more beneficial. This difference is necessary for society to progress as it has led to a faster growth in areas like art and literature. A motive behind the civilians of the upper class when they earn money is mainly for the purpose of other people. This results in philanthropic efforts, like sharing their money with society. The more money one earns, the more responsible they are for sharing it. Bill Gates reminds of me Carnegie because he is also a philanthropist and often donates his money towards those who are less fortunate.

The Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln was declared on September 22, 1862. He listed all southern states and declared all the slaves residing there are now free. There are a few exceptions to the states, as he excluded certain areas in Louisana and Virginia. The government will ensure the freedom of the slaves and protect it. Slaves will also not face any form of physical violence, except in situations where defense is necessary. Finally, they will not be unpaid for their work, for they will receive wages, like any other white man. Even though the slaves were freed, they faced discrimination and were not viewed as equal as the Jim Crow Era came.

Lincoln states that 4 years ago when he gave his first inaugural address, he had hopes of the country coming together and ridding themselves of the Union. However, those hopes are crushed as the country is entering the Civil war because both sides were stubborn and would not come together as one. Both of their goals were not war, but it was inevitable after years of straying from the path to unity. Lincoln acknowledged slavery's role in kickstarting the war and lastly states that this is not the end yet, for progress can still be made to return the country to its peaceful ways. Lincoln won the support of the North but not the South, who based their economy around slavery. This led to feelings of underrepresentation.