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".