LAD #29: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

People in the United States became more aware of the many abuses occurring against young children by big businesses. This awareness is because of the work of "muckrakers." This led to the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act. The act was based on a proposal from 1906 and made it illegal to employ workers under 14 and made it illegal for 15-17 year olds to work nights or more than 8 hours in a day. The act was declared unconstitutional because it tried to regulate interstate commerce. After the Keating-Owen act was denied, the Child Labor Tax Law was also defeated in 1919. This was supposed to heavily tax all shops using child labor, but was denied because Congress would not curb the power of the states to regulate local trade. After many similar acts were also found unconstitutional, the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938. This made child labor illegal. Its legality was challenged, but it is still present today.

LAD #28: Wilson's First Inaugural

Wilson's first inaugural address addressed the changes that needed to be made in society. Wilson spoke about the morals of the American people. He discussed how successful the Industrial Revolution was and stated the underlying causes of it. Wilson talked about how the boom in industry has led to a lot of corruption that needed to stop. He spoke out about the "human cost, the cost of lives snuffled out, (of) energies overtaxed and broken." Wilson continued on to admit that the United States Government "has too often been made use of for private and selfish purposes" and that major reforms were going to occur within the government because of this. Wilson promised to reform sanitary laws, pure food laws, and labor condition laws. Wilson actually carried through with these promises with his Pure Food and Drug Act passes. Wilson sought to reform the nation by not using a laissez-faire form of government. He understood that reform will be necessary and that the nation is capable of it.

LAD #27: Clayton Anti-Trust Act

Congress passed the Clayton ANti-Trust Act in 1914. This was passed as a response to the failed Sherman Anti-Trust Act that was actually used against unions. The new Anti-Trust Act prevented companies from making exclusive contrast, rebates, inter corporate stock holdings, and price cutting. In reality, it was basically the same thing as the Sherman Anti-Trust Act except that workers and unions were no longer included in the "restricting trade" part by striking. The act became very influential because unions were able to form freely and carry out reform plans. The Act protected worker's rights to strike and was more successful than the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

LAD #26: MLK's 'I Have a Dream' Speech

On August 28th, 1963, MLK begins his speech referring to how "negroes" were "freed" from the Civil War, but how 100 years later, segregation continues to prevent blacks from being free. He continues on to state that the United States has failed to allow men to pursue the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. King says that is the time for the country to live up to its promise to all races, not just the white man. MLK states that "now is the time to live up to democracy and rid the country of segregation and racial injustice." He believes that 1963 is more a beginning than an end, as the nation returns "to business as usual." He then mentions the police brutality, travel and hotel segregation, the signs which state "whites only," voting restrictions, and ghettos. Finally, King beings his "dream" of a nation that will one day "rise up and live up the try meaning of its creed that we hold these truths to be self-evident that ll men are created equal." He dreams that the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will sit together at the "table of brotherhood." King dreams that the country will be transformed into one of justice, and that his children will be judged by their character, but by the color of their skin. He dreams that white girls and white boys will be able to join hands with black children together and that all blacks and all whites will be able to share simple things together like praying. Finally, he wishes that freedom will ring throughout the United States.

LAD #25: Dawes Severalty Act

The Dawes Act was the request of the the provision of land to Native American tribes on various reservations. The act gives the president power to divide up communal tribal lands help by Native Americans and split them up into individual shares. An individual's age, gender, and family status all influence the amount of land one receives. The president is able to perform this action whenever reservation land is deemed advantageous with agricultural reasons. The act also allows the US government to purchase any tribal lands and sell them to American settlers. It provides the assimilation of Indians into American culture. Finally, the act makes it clear that the government retains the right to build railroads, highways, and construct telegraph lines through the Native American's land. The 5 Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw) and several others are excluded from the act.

LAD #24: Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech

The "Cross of Gold Speech" by William Jennings Bryan at the Democratic National Convention discussed the values of the Populist Party, specifically the value of bimetallism. Bimetallism is the concept that both gold and silver should be used as forms of United States currency. Bryan says that the Democratic party is not hostile towards Republicans, but he defends his platform agains the Republican idea that bimetallism would be an obstacle for their big businesses. He states that the Republicans believe bimetallism would be an obstacle for big business, but the Republicans have been an obstacle of the common man. Republicans also bashed the Democratic opposition to the national banks currency. Bryan accepts the reasoning on this, but further compares it to Andrew Jackson's conspiracy against the bank that supposedly "saved America." He goes on to compare himself to Thomas Jefferson in their common belief that money is a function of the government and not a responsibility of the bank to just print and distribute. He completed his statement of his position on the gold standard and combined both Democratic and Populist ideals.

LAD #23: Populists

As a result of the immense power of big businesses in America, the Populist Party was created, claiming to represent the will of the common person. The party condemned the low status of poor cities and advocated that productivity could stimulate billions of dollars that could be exchanged for customer products. Silver was also endorsed as an acceptable currency. The result was that the workers were now in poverty. The main goal of this party was to restore democracy and place power in the hands of the common man. The second section states the solutions and policies of the Populist Party. The party stands for the legalization of unions and coinage of silver and gold. They stand of the rights of labor organizations and their desire for better pay, hours, and conditions. They believe that land should not be monopolized by alien owners.

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

McKinley created this message for Congress in order to discuss the Cuban War with Spain on April 11th, 1898. The president states that the present efforts being put forth by the United States in this major war will not resolve anything. He continues on to explain that something different must be done, including suggestions of recognizing Cuban independence, recognizing the insurgents as belligerents, neutral intervention, and intervention have a side. Next, he explains why intervening in favor of Cuba is the best option for the United States at this time. McKinley mentions the Maine crisis, heavily implying that Spain is to blame. Finally, he asks Congress for help. He asks them to grant him permission to intervene, using military force is necessary. He says this will help to protect the trade, democracy, and safety of the United States and its people.