LAD #28: Wilson's First Inaugural Address

Summary of Woodrow Wilson's First Inaugural Address, 1913 -

President Wilson commences his First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1913 by stating that the success of a party occurs when a nation uses it for a large, important purpose.  America is a great country that has built itself and its industrial achievements up, but the costs it had on the people were forgotten.  Now, the evil must be corrected; justice is the current motto.  Wilson promises not to fail men in his goal to establish balance and fulfill hopes.

LAD #27: Clayton Anti-trust Act

Summary of the Clayton Anti-trust Act -

The purpose of this act was to supplement existing laws such as the Sherman Anti-trust Act.  It states that is is illegal to discriminate prices so that competition decreases.  Sales can not be made under the condition that the consumer promises not to purchase from other competitors.  Additionally, there can be no mergers not acquisitions that could promote trusts or monopolies.

LAD #26: "I Have a Dream" speech

Summary of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech -

MLK Jr's speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, starts by talking about the hope that the Emancipation Proclamation gave to the millions of slaves.  However, the blacks are not truly free as they still face discrimination and poverty.  It is now that America must end segregation and follow through with its promise of democracy.  His dream is that freedom will ring all across America, a great country.  "Thank God Almighty, we are free at last".

LAD #25: Dawes Severalty Act

Summary of the Dawes Act of 1887 -
The Dawes Act is "an act to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on the various reservations, and to extend the protection of the laws of the United States and the territories over the Indians, and for other purposes."  This act, approved by Congress, authorized the President to survey Indian land and divide it up for individual Indians.  The head of the family would receive 160 acres, an individual or an orphan minor would receive 80 acres, and minors would receive 40 acres.  If the Indians abandoned their tribes for the allotted land, they would gain U.S. citizenship.

LAD #24: Cross of Gold Speech

Summary of William Jennings Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech -
William Jennings Bryan delivered this speech on July 9, 1896 during the Democratic National Convention.  The topic discussed was the whether or not to endorse the free coinage of silver at the ratio of silver to gold, 16:1.  If this was enforced, the indebted farmers would be aided due to the increase in money circulation.  Bryan advocates for a monetary system called bimetallism in which the new currency would equal a set amount of gold and silver.  Putting this system into place would benefit the country and end deflation.

LAD #23: The Populist Party Platform

Summary of The Populist Party Platform -
The Populist Party emerged in the 1870s and 1880s, but in the 1890s they became a possible viable third party.  This party opposed banks and big businesses as well as industrialism.  The platform states the horrible working conditions for the common laborer.  To solve this the Populists declare the institution of permanent labor unions.  The party also demanded that the government should create a safe national currency, own railroads, telegraphs, and telephones.  Populists are also in favor of a free ballot, abolition of mercenary armies, shorter hours, and initiative and referendum.

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

Summary of McKinley's War Message -
President McKinley kept the United States out of the in Cuba for three years until 1898 when we told Spain to end all fighting.  He sums up four reasons to go to war in his message to Congress.  First, it is their duty to humanity to end the miseries taking place.  Second, the citizens in Cuba deserve protection and compensation.  Third, the war is damaging to commerce, trade, and business.  Finally, the situation in Cuba is a threat to peace and a huge cost to the government.  Overall, "In the name of humanity... the war in Cuba must stop"

LAD #29: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

Summary of the Keating - Owen Child Labor Act -

In the 1900s, approximately 2 million children held jobs in harsh conditions.  Reformers worked to expose the effects the work had on the children's' health and welfare.  In 1916, this act banned the sales of goods produced by children as well as limited their work hours.  This act was the first child labor bill and it spurred on many more reforms.