LAD #21: Dawes Act

In the beginning of the act it states that the president is allowed to survey the Native American land and divide the arable area into allotments for the individual Native American. Section 2 states that each Native American will choose his or her own allotment. Section 3 states that a Native American agent must certify each allotment. Section 4 states that the Native Americans not reservations receive equal allotments. Section 5 states that the Secretary of the Interior will hold the allotments for 25 years. Section 6 states that after completion of the Land Patent process, the holder of the allotment will be granted citizenship. Section 7 states the water rights on allotments with irrigated land. Section 8 states that this act does not apply for the Five Civilized Tribes and some others. Section 9 gives funds to carry out the act. Section 10 states that the Power of Eminent Domain of the Congress has power over the allotments. Section 11 states the provision for the Southern Ute Native Americans.

LAD #20: Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses

The issue of this speech was about the free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16:1, silver to gold. The point was that this would help the poor by putting more money into circulation. Bryan was a democrat and wanted to help everyone be more equal and spread the wealth of the country among many people not just a few. Furthermore, he favored an income tax because it would take more money from the rich. He wanted the government to have control over the country’s money and not the banks. On the other hand, Republicans wanted the wealthy to stay wealthy because they thought the wealth would eventually find its way down to the lower classes. In the end, Bryan is in favor of the silver coinage system.

LAD #19: Populist Party Platform, 1892 (July 4, 1892)

The Populist Party arose in the 1890s as third party independent of Democrats and Republicans. They opposed the "concentrated capital" of banks and big businesses. In the preamble it is made clear that the party wants to make change in the U. S., as it sees corruption in elections, low wages given to the workingman, and the national power to create money held by bond-holders. The party wants to dissolve the gap between the millionaires and the poor workers. In its platform the party states three points, that it wants permanent labor unions, wealth belongs to the person who creates it, and that the government should own and control the railroads. They desire the nation’s money to be in the hands of the people and want more of it to be circulated. Land is the heritage of the settlers and should not be monopolized. The next part of the platform is the sentiments which restate what the Populist Party wants, including fair elections and shorten work hours.

LAD #18: McKinley’s War Message

On April 11, 1898, President William McKinley addressed Congress about the war between Spain and Cuba. Before his War message he said that the war in Cuba had to stop. For three entire years of war, McKinley kept America neutral. Yet as there was not any indication of a compromise and McKinley believed that it was America’s rightful duty to become involved in the warfare. McKinley stated that the American trade was suffering as a result of the war and moves on to say that he desires a compromise because a for sure victory appeared unlikely. Mainly, McKinley wants to keep peace in America and to fix American commerce by helping the Cubans against Spain. Though, later the Maine is sunk at Havana harbor and this gives credence to America’s involvement in the war. As it is in America’s best interest to intervene in Cuban affairs, McKinley helps out Cuba. He hopes to show that Americans are peace-loving people.