Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #37

Linda Brown was forced to walk to a black school very far away while a white school was much closer. They tied to attend the white school but, the school refused. Brown's parents claimed that it was wrong for their child to be segregated in such a manner. They brought this to court where the Court’s unanimous decision overturned provisions of the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which had allowed for “separate but equal” public facilities, including public schools in the United States. Declaring that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,” This still didn't give them true equality though but lead a new pathway to it.


 This case inspired a more profound civil rights movement in the late 1950s and 1960s

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #36

President Truman claimed America should have helped Greece and Turkey, because nations should be free from any external influences. In order to maintain democracy and free will and avoid influences of Communism, Truman urged Congress to aid Greece and Turkey economically and militarily. He wanted contain the spread of Communism and stop the Soviets from influencing them. He warned that if they failed to take any action, they could endanger the peace of the world.



Somewhat similar Cubas communism and how we didnt want that to spread

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #35

In this executive order FDR gave the Secretary of war the ability to declare specific areas as military locations. FDR wanted to prevent foreign espionage and corruption in the United States during wartime. This was an order to allow the creation of the concentration camps for Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor.




On March 9, 1942, Roosevelt signed Public Law 503 (approved after only an hour of discussion in the Senate and thirty minutes in the House) in order to provide for the enforcement of his executive order.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #34

 FDR begins the war declaration by mentioning the attack on Pearl Harbor on "December 7th 1941, a date that will live in infamy." FDR asked congress to declare war on Japan. He said how Japan, on purpose, suddenly, attacked the United States, this attack was a surprise to the US and it was definitely purposeful. In his declaration of war he stated that the United States had tried to keep relations with Japan peaceful and were given a message from Japan an hour before the attack that gave no intentions of war from Japan (why it was a surprise). Roosevelt expresses his determination when he states that the American people will fight until absolute victory. He also assures the people of America that such a tragedy will never occur again.



When 9/11 occurred it was a total surprise, just like the bomb on pearl harbor. Our government promised to get justice by sending out a mission to target Osama Bin Laden and his group. Also by protecting our airports. In both times, our country did what we needed to protect and reassure the people.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #33

Franklin D. Roosevelt begins by talking about what state the nation is in, which is obviously a very hard one. He delivers his famous line, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself".With the support of the American people he believed America as a nation could achieve anything it wanted. Roosevelt discusses the issues of the rising taxes and the inability to pay them. FDR says he will act as an advocate of democracy, in order to help the people and the nation. He restores the people's faith in the president, during this hectic time. He plans to also restore to economy and much more for the greater good of the people.


FDR's look upon America and his goals relate to our president today. They both want to "make America to great again" by trying to help economy and people.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #32

The main goal of this pact was to avoid war and create different ways to solve conflict that came up. Each country that signed this had their government promise that they would respect the pact and avoid future problems at all cost. They all agreed to use calm actions when figuring international conflict so that no more pointless conflict and deaths occur. The first part banned war as moral diplomacy, while the second part said that all conflict would be resolved by reasonable diplomacy. Lastly, any other countries that was need to join the pact after it was signed could do so if it believed in the ideas expressed in the pact.


 This relates to Wilsons 14 points. Wilsons ideas centered around keeping peace and agreeing with other countries. Some of the ideas were very similar to the terms of this pact.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #31

Woodrow Wilson created a list that he thought could make world peace happen. He suggests this as their plan, and says they should all stick together. It emphasized American morals and peace for the world. It also helped create peace in foreign countries following the end of the war...

1. no secret diplomacy 
2. freedom of the waters
3. diminish economic barriers for everyone
4. limitations of weapons
5. self-determination of colonies (no greed)
6. No americans in Russia
7. Belgium to be free
8. Give the French their land bank
9. boundaries in Italy based on nationality 
10. Austria-Hungary set free
11. people out of Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro
12. the "Turks" given freedom
13. Poland
14. establishment of the league of nations

George Washington's Farewell Address advised us to stay out of foreign affairs and to keep peace with all... Woodrow Wilson is extending this idea with his 14 points.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #30

Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919), is a United States Supreme Court decision concerning enforcement of the Espionage Act of 1917 during World War I. Mr. Schenck sent out letters to men encouraging them to petition to repeal the Conscription Act  (required all men in a certain age range to volunteer for the military). Schenck was charged with conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act by causing insubordination in the military and to obstruct recruitment. He said he was practicing his free speech. The court decided in favor of the United States (9-0). Justice Holmes said that the circumstances made it so his actions hurt the welfare of the nation due to the "present danger" which was the fear that was spreading throughout America, as they were at war and needed to maintain their power. This essentially meant that in different circumstances, the same action could produce a danger for the Federal Government or the American people. By disrupting the conscription during the Great War, at a time when the Federal Government needed men to serve, Schenck was creating a danger.





Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag outside of the convention center where the 1984 Republican National Convention was being held in Dallas, Texas. Johnson burned the flag to protest the policies of President Ronald Reagan. He was arrested and charged with violating a Texas statute that prevented the desecration of a venerated object, including the American flag, if such action were likely to incite anger in others. A Texas court tried and convicted Johnson. He appealed, arguing that his actions were "symbolic speech" protected by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court agreed to hear his case. In both cases freedoms of speech were "violated".

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #29

Early 1900's large businesses and corporations aided the United States for economic reasons by gave little thought to the American people, especially those working for them. Workers in cities suffered grueling conditions, long hours and little pay. Often times, instead of working toward an education, children would be working day and night in factories, mills, and farms in order to bring in an additional profit for their family, even if just a small one. Problems in the workforce were worsened for young children as they did not have labor laws to protect their rights and they were often hired solely because they could fit into small, dangerous spaces and they could be paid less. his is where Lewis Hines came in, as his pictures of child workers horrified the public and caused action to be required. The Keating-Owen Act came very soon after, which banned the sale of products from places employing children under fourteen and from places with dangerous conditions that employ children under sixteen. The act was passed by congress and enforced by president Wilson, but was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court a few years later.




The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #28

Woodrow Wilson, a democrat progressive president was elected in 1912. He opens his speech saying that the presidency, the house, and the senate all have shifted to the Democratic Party due to a public need for change. However, he also stated that power within a political party is meaningless unless people use it reform and carry out necessary changes. Wilson also recognized the problems facing the nation such as large businesses and corportatioins taking advantage of the government and society as a whole. While these successful industries were economic advantages of the United States, their impact on the people needed to be considered. During his address Wilson additionally mentioned his disapproval of an extensive tariff, taxation, as well as businesses overtaking the government and people of America.

Donald J Trump is now president and the office has switched to more republican opposed to when Wilsons office switched to more democratic. Both show a shift in power.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #27

Clayton Antitrust Act. Clayton Antitrust Act, 1914, passed by the U.S. Congress as an amendment to clarify and supplement the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.The Clayton Anti-trust Act made monopolies basing their price on consumers illegal because it stated that businesses and corporations could no longer have different prices for different consumers. Compared to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, the Clayton Anti-Trust Act was more powerful and was able to put down many more trusts and monopolies than the Sherman Anti-Trust Act did. It also states that a company can't offer a sale or price deduction if a company buys from them instead of a competitor.  Finally the Clayton Anti-Trust Act regulates the sale of stocks imposing limits on how much stock a company can have of a competitor or another company.


The Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 established the Federal Trade Commission. The Act, signed into law by Woodrow Wilson in 1913, outlaws unfair methods of competition and outlaws unfair acts or practices that affect commerce. This further carries out the central ideas that the clayton antitrust act held.

Ava's AP American Blog: LAD #26

Martin Luther started his speech talking about the emancipation proclamation and how it was signed 100 years ago giving slaves their freedom and yet they are not free. MLK was talking about the social restraints that were being put on the blacks, and how until segregation is no more blacks will never be truly free. MLK was saying that the proclamation did not do its job. He was also saying that him and the rest of the African Americans were not getting the unalienable right that they promised. MLK later goes on to express what he hopes to see in the future. MLK was saying as more and more walls get broken down eventually equality will be achieved for all and segregation will be no more. Dr. king was saying some day he wants to see a world where the color of your skin does not matter. all of these hopes were expressed in his section where he started all of the sentences with "I have a dream". This speech has gone down in history as one of the most famous speeches and one of the most influential.

Obama becoming president in 2008 was a turning point for the country. It truly reflected how far our nation has come to elect a black president. MLK's speech changed the minds of millions and influenced the country we are today.