LAD #25

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech:

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave the extremely powerful and memorable "I Have a Dream Speech", an eloquently written and touching speech that affected the views of black and white Americans all over. The most noticeable element of the speech is Martin Luther King's peaceful tone that is maintained throughout the speech. Martin Luther King begins the speech by addressing his audience and stating his gratitude for the opportunity to give his speech. He continues to address that although Lincoln emancipated black slaves throughout the nation one hundred years ago, black people do not enjoy the equality, happiness, and rights that white people often take for granted today. Martin Luther King compares the rights of black people to a bad check; a check needed to be cashed in. He refused to believe that the United States would willingly and intentionally give this "faulty check" to the black population, and peacefully stated that it was time for African Americans to cash their checks in to the bank. They would then be given equal rights and treatment to whites. Martin Luther King stated that it was very important for blacks to maintain their peaceful approach to their quest for equality. They would never be respected by whites if they decided that violence was the way to achieve their goals. Martin Luther King also encouraged blacks to stick together in their challenging journey, so they could endure their fate together. Martin Luther King went on to describe his dreams: his dreams of equality, justice, peace, true comradarie and union between races. Martin Luther King Jr. concludes his speech by stating his belief that Americans can rise above their past racist attitudes and can learn to embrace all people so the country is more unified than ever. This is his dream, and he strongly believes that Americans can carry his dream out.

LAD #24

The Dawes Act

The Dawes Act, an act split into eleven components, was an act made to protect Indians from the customary harsh treatment they generally received. The sections give Indians certain rights, such as the right to land, the right to select allotments set apart by the act's provisions, the right of Native Americans agents to certify the allotments, the right to receive equal allotment even if you don't live on the land, the promise that the Secretary of the Interior would hold the allotments "in trust" for 25 years, the right to become citizens once the allotments were completed, water rights, and exemption of the five civilized tribes from some restrictions.

LAD #22

Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech

One of the most famous speeches delivered was William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech. In his speech, Bryan's goal was to convince the public that the nation should incorporate both gold and silver into the monetary system; with silver's value as one sixteenth of the value of gold. Bryan stated that the government would protect the investments of people and make sure that this system was not corrupt. Bryans also stated that income tax was beneficial to the government and not supporting income tax is indirectly not supporting the government. Truly supporting the government is providing adequate support by paying taxes that will enable the government to support its people.

LAD #22

The Populist Party Platform

The Populist party, emerging in the late 1800's, became a very prominent third party, second only to the Republican and Democratic parties. The Platform, Preamble, and Expression of Sentiments are the main components making up the populist party. The Preamble is an integral part of the Populist party because it gives Populists an outlet to express what they feel is wrong with America. Issues they have discussed are the demoralization of silver, corruption in elections, and corruption in political parties. The Platform is another integral part of the Populist party because it allows Populists to express their feelings regarding finance, transportation, and land. Populists fought for the free coinage of silver and gold, a graduated income tax, and the establishment of safe banks. They also believed that railroads should be run by the government instead of the people, because privately owned railroads were often run by corrupt people. They felt that land should not be monopolized; instead it should be inheritable. Finally, Populists discussed in the Expression of Sentiments the ways they will resolve central issues in America. Populists supported the secret ballot and shorter hours of labor, two issues they addressed in the Expression of Sentiments.

LAD #21

McKinley's war message was a statement made by McKinley explaining why the United States felt the need to intervene with the war occurring between Spain and Cuba. In 1898, the Cuban government rebelled against the Spanish, with the intent of winning their freedom. However, after three years of bloodshed and fighting, neither side's outcome could be determined or even guessed. The United States decided to enter the war on the side of the Cubans with the immediate offense of the USS Maine's destruction. McKinley stated that the war between the Spanish and the Cubans was negatively affecting American citizens and their economy. The United States had been trading partners with Cuba before the war, and it was impossible to continue trading relations while Cuba was fighting Spain. Also, McKinley figured that because the war had gone on so long with no clear outcome on the horizon, it was time to intervene before more unneccessary lives were lost on either side. The United States chose to protect Cuba and the citizens of Cuba, and to protect their trading relations with Cuba by siding with them. In addition, the United States empathized with the Cubans, remembering their own fight for independence. While these were all valid reasons for allying with Cuba in the war, the destruction of the USS Maine was the last straw, bringing the United States into the war as well.