LAD #27 Clayton Anti-Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust act was passed in 1914 in order to eliminate corruption in businesses. This act stopped businessmen from charging unfair prices to different customers. This set a non-changeable price for a product no matter who was buying the product. This act was not supposed to stop normal businesses or stop prices from fluctuating. If this was to happen, the government had the right to intervene in order to stop the discrimination. This act was put in place as a back up to the Sherman Anti-Trust act, and was a more descriptive in that it stopped discrimination in business. Also this act pushed for competition in business, in order to keep a fair market for customers.  The main goal of this act was to prohibit big businesses from making monopolies and creating corruption throughout America.

LAD #26 Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream"

Martin Luther King starts off his speech speaking of the Emancipation Proclamation. However he is very upset about  the conditions in which the African Americans are faced with. King in Washington says that today they are ready to cash in their check, which was promised to every american citizen in 1776. King continues to use the phrase "I have a Dream" to make this powerfull statement fill the hearts of each and every citizen that is there. King also "reminds America of the fierce urgency of Now", and that there is "no time to...take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism". However he does not want the African Americans to use non-violence. He pushes them to continue fighting untill they have the same rights as every other american. He dreams of a time when former slaves and slave owners can be friends, and black children and white children can sit together and play. This speech was a influential speech that goes down in history and has been heard by millions.

LAD #25 Dawes Act

The Dawes Severalty Act of 1877 was based upon native American's rights. After being forced onto reservations, this act allowed natives to own land on those reservations. Because there was very little land on the reservations, there was restrictions on how much land an Indian can own depending on their size of their family and age. The natives also got to pick where their land would be, however if two people picked the same plot of land, it would be divided and then they would also be allowed to pick another piece of land that would equal the land that they lost. This all seems great, but there was more restrictions, including, if you didnt pick your land in 4 years, the government would pick it for you. The native americans were given patents for their land and now were granted protection under the law as well as punishment for crime. In addition, if a native american was no longer associated under a tribe, they would be granted citizenship, for some tribes, like the Sioux and Iroquois, were not given this opportunity. This law shows how the American government wanted to be able to know where and who all of the Indians were in a way making it seem like they were doing something kind.

LAD #24 Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech

On July 9th 1896, William Jennings Bryan gave his Cross of Gold Speech at the Democratic Convention. Bryan began his speech by appreciating the American Worker, and how much they have done to keep the country going. Bryan, a "Silver Democrat" believed the way to fix the hurting economy was to replace the money system with silver instead of gold, because of it's availability. This was not only going to help the economy, but the average American farmer as well. Jennings emphasized that doing this would help all Americans that were hurting because of the overtake of big business. And this was important because it would help a majority of the population, instead of the "1 per-centers" that ran the businesses. With this change in standard, farmers would easily be able to pay off their debts because silver is 1/16th of the price of gold. Bryan also said to benefit the people, an income tax must be emplaced. Bryan ends his speech by saying, "You shall not crucify a man upon a cross of gold."

LAD #23 Populist Party Platform

The Populist party or better known as the "People's Party". In the 19th century, the Populist Party arose from the former farmers alliance as a new independent party. The Populist were usually farmers from the south and they were against big business because it hurt the farmers increasingly. Also they opposed money being in the hands of very few wealthy people. The Populist believed that workers during the industrial age were being denied basic rights and this created even more corruption in Washington. While supporting workers, they also supported workers forming Unions to protect themselves. Populist were against immigrants coming to America and taking jobs from Americans. The other parties were unable to take any action and the populist party believed that the only way to fix the government was to put the money back into the hands of the "Plain People" However they supported the government interfering to create public transportation as well as communication.  And that is the Populist Party.

LAD #22 McKinley's War Message

25th President, McKinley

"In the name of humanity...the war in Cuba must stop". President McKinley said this to congress on April 11th 1898. He was speaking about the war in Cuba against there mother country, Spain. McKinley recognized the losses this war had on America even though we pledged to stay neutral. Although he was unhappy with the trading conditions, he also believed Cuba was at risk. He wanted America to stay neutral throughout the war, but it was difficult considering the disturbance the war had on Americans. He asked congress if he could intervene in the war for four reasons.
1. To stop the inhuman behavior and horrible bloodshed.
2. For the American Citizens in Cuba, they must be protected because the Cuban government is too weak to protect them.
3. The effect the war had on trade and commerce in America, causing the economy to fluctuate.
4. Cuba is so close to us, and we see it in harm so we must protect them which will not only save them now, but help us in the future.
McKinley continues by stating that the Maine, an American ship, was destroyed, making it obvious that although America wants to stay neutral, it is being pulled in, whether they like it or not. He finally states that it is up too congress on whether to enter the war or not, and he will leave it up to them for making the decision.

LAD #21/Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Andrew Carnegie, was a very successful business man who made his profits from iron, steel and railroads. In Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth, Carnegie addresses the economic gap between the rich and the poor. Because of Industrialization, the gap had become even greater rather than the small differences in the previous years. Carnegie, no doubtfully believed that the wealthy, upper class need to be present in a growing society for the fact that they stimulate the economy. Carnegie also talked about his disbelief in inheriting wealth because it was not good for the economy, instead he believed money should be handed out to charities, business and family during one's life time. That way the money would be of value during their lifetime, rather than lose its value after their death. Carnegie finishes by saying that it is the wealthy man's duty to help the economy and the other people in the economy.