LAD #29: Truman Doctrine

President Truman made the Truman doctrine, an address before a joint session of congress. The Truman doctrine regarded the nation’s foreign policy and national security. One part addressed the relations with Greece and Turkey. Greece greatly needed financial help from the United States. This is because neither Great Britain nor the UN will help Greece right now. Though, Truman also believes that the United States should help Turkey. He states that the national integrity of those countries is essential to the preservation of order in the Middle East. Truman thinks that the foreign policy of the United States should be to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures. If America does not help Truman is afraid that Western Europe will be affected badly. He is asking congress to provide authority which will permit the speediest and most effective use, in terms of needed commodities, supplies, and equipment, of such funds as may be authorized. He is confident that Congress will help.

LAD #28: FDR's First Inaugural

FDR opens his inaugural powerfully by saying that the only thing America has to fear is fear itself. This meant, specifically, fear of the unjustified terror that was harming America. Both the economy and people were suffering. Next he address the fact that many people have face failure during this time and happiness only comes from achievement. The way FDR saw it was that the largest and most important task of America was get people back into work. FDR then continues to discuss how many things can attribute to more jobs. He states that both local and state governments should help out during this time. He mentions that credit cards and loans must be watched carefully, and that people should help each other; Americans are interdependent. He closes by saying that the nation faces a hard time but together they can pull everything back together. FDR will do everything in his power to help the country, alongside congress.

LAD #27: Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928

The start of the document makes it clear that things should be resolved by peaceful relations and not war. Next, it explains all the countries and their appointed representatives for the treaty. Then the articles of the treaty were mentioned emphasizing that there shall be no war and negotiations should be made peacefully. The treaty also remained opened as long as it was deemed necessary. On July 24, 1929 with about 35 countries involved, the treaty went into effect.

LAD #26: Schenck V. United States; Baer V. United States

Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes delivered an opinion of the Supreme Court on March 3, 1919 The charge was against a conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act. They were planning on obstructing the recruiting and enlistment service during WWI. The men accused of this crime had created pamphlets trying to persuade men to not enlist in the Army. Also, these men had illegally used federal mail for this purpose. Schenck was the secretary of the Socialist Party and he was in charge of its headquarters. He was responsible for distributing this revolutionary material. The Socialist document recited the 13th Amendment and said that the Conscription Act violated this Amendment. It also said that conscription was terrible and an act of despotism and wronged humanity. As well, it begged people to assert their rights and show their dislike of the draft. The pamphlet said that the conscription act was being used as part of a government conspiracy. The accused said that the pamphlet was allowed by the First Amendment of free speech. Yet, the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal because it was harmful to the people of the US and that superseded individual rights.