Meranda's AP American Blog

Woodrow Wilson proposed his Fourteen Points on January 8, 1918. These points created a a basis for peace and were later incorporated into the Treaty of Versailles. However, these points, to a greater extent were idealistic. This is reflected in the failure of the Treaty of Versailles. Wilson's points were too lenient for some of the Allies. France, as an example, wanted to implicate harsh penalties and war reparations on Germany. Hence, the War Guilt Clause was created. Therefore, it is clear that the Fourteen Points were far too idealistic. Wilson could not implement the freedom of navigation, removal of economic barriers, and creating of new boundaries, amongst other points. He could not enforce the creation of the League of Nations, which the United States refused to enter. As seen in the lenient of the points and the reaction of the United States and other nations, Wilson's points were, to a greater extent, idealistic. The Fourteen Points set the foundation for the Tr...

In World War I, Schenck distributed circulars, which are letters addressed to a large group of people, with the purpose of getting the attention of those being drafted. He argued against the draft but only suggested peaceful action or resistance against the Conscription Act, an act that made wartime draft in the United States. However, Justice Holmes ruled that Schenck's actions violated the Espionage Act since his letters seemed to talk down the military and discourage people from attending. Holmes argued that Schenck's letters presented a "clear and present danger", so Congress had the right to stop and prevent those actions. This is similar to the Peter Zenger trail, since in the trial Zenger was tried for speaking out against the government, like Schenck. 

Woodrow Wilson ran for president in 1912 and was elected as the democratic candidate. Wilson acknowledges the change in government- how it had become democratic. Wilson addresses certain aspects of the nation, including individuals, wealth, and the government. He then goes on to explain the "inexcusable waste" of the Gilded Age. Wilson looks to cleanse and reconsider. As a progressive president, he is clearly looking inward and hoping to make reform. Wilson emphasizes the need for laws to protect US citizens. He then ends by urging the people to dedicate themselves to the cause of reforming. This is similar to JFK's inaugural address which says the US can meet any hardships, similar to the hardships of reform during Wilson's time. 

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act was passed in 1914 during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. The canadidates in the previous election all agreed that the government, especially the Supreme Court, had been too lenient with big businesses, so they believed the government needed to strengthen antitrust laws. The Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914 prohibited price discrimination and certain deal practices as well as expanded the power of private organizations to sue and obtain damages, allowed a labor exemption that permitted union organizing, and prohibited anticompetitive mergers. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was not enforced. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are the two federal agencies who enforce antitrust laws. Both the Clayton Anti-Trust Act and the Sherman Anti-Trust Act regulated big business. 

The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was an Act passed in 1916 prohibiting the shipment of goods or products between states if the product was worked on by a child in the past 30 days. Children younger than fourteen cannot work on these items and children between fourteen and sixteen cannot work more than eight hours in a day, six days a week, after seven, or before six. This act contributed to the progressive movement by regulating the conditions in which employees work. However, the Supreme Court declared this law unconstitutional on the grounds that child labor was not involved with interstate commerce therefore, the states must regulate it. Similarly, in John Spargo's The Bitter Cry of the Children, he advocated against child labor. 

Martin Luther King Jr. was a well-known advocate of civil rights. His "I have a dream" speech clearly illustrate his support for integration between black and white communities. King references Lincoln and His emancipation proclamation saying that even after one hundred years of slaves being free, the black population is still suppressed by discrimination and segregation. He compares the struggle between the black community and a check. The check, in comparison to the Constitution, was meant to included both black and white citizens. Nonetheless, for blacks, the check was marked "insufficient funds". But, king does not believe "the bank of justice is bankrupt". He pushes for a fight against injustice but warns the people not to lose their dignity. This speech supports the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended segregation of public areas and discrimination in employment/education. Just like King's speech, the Montgomery Bus Boycott was also a part ...

On July 9th, 1896, William Jennings Bryan presented his "Cross of Gold" speech. This speech addressed the issue over free coinage of silver at a ratio of silver to gold 16 to 1. He lays the foundation with "an individual is but an atom, he is born, he acts, he dies; but principles are eternal; and this has been a contest of principle." Bryan is stating how running in an election has everything to do with being a humanitarian principles. He addresses how Democrats have proposed the issue of money, but ties and friendships are still disregarded. He voices his disapproval of the dominating businesses of the time , and, instead he states how they are all businessmen. Bryan also encourages that people fight "in defense of our homes, our families, and posterity." Bryan ends his speech by saying that if anyone tries to defend the gold standard, he will take issue with them because he believes people should not "crucify mankind on the cross of gold." ...