Truman Doctrine
The purpose of President Truman's Doctrine, a speech that the President gave to a joint session of Congress on March 12, 1947, was to establish a set of principles involving foreign policy. Truman wished to give $400 million to the suffering countries of Greece and Turkey. The underlying reason as to why Truman was so intent on aiding Greece and Turkey was because he was desperately afraid that without the help of the United States, these countries would inevitably fall under the influence of the Soviet Union. The United States pledged its help to any country that was afraid of falling into unwanted coercion and be forced to take up the communist ways of the Soviets. Truman stated that although the British Government was inclined to help, it did not have the money or resources necessary to dig these less powerful countries out of the danger they were facing. In order to maintain worldwide democracy, the United States recognized its responsibility to do all it could for countries that could not help themselves. Although the doctrine was composed with the Soviet Union in mind, Truman never actually mentioned the specific power in the doctrine. This is most likely due to the fact that the President did not wish to be held accountable for any acts of aggression, and mentioning the Soviet Union in his speech could definitely be considered aggressive or at the very least, unnecessary. Containment Policy, a policy used by the United States to contain the spread of Communism through the use of military, economy, and diplomacy was represented in the Truman Doctrine. Another policy represented in the Truman Doctrine was the Marshall Plan, a plan enacted by the United States to build and create a strong foundations for countries of Europe who wished to resist Communism.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
LAD #32
FDR's First Inaugural
In FDR's First Inaugural Address, the President speaks of his concern for the present economy and its effect on the American people. FDR plans to help the American people through the current economic hardship by instituting government policies instead of letting the economy "work itself out" which was the Republican way of thinking. FDR was concerned with the rising taxes and the US citizens' inability to pay these taxes. FDR was also concerned with the lack of security that farmers had in addition to the loss of many families' savings. What may have concerned Roosevelt most was the increasing unemployment rate in America. An action Roosevelt took that dealt with the unfortunate issue of unemployment was calling for tighter credit, banking, and an end to speculation. Roosevelt also issued the Good Neighbor policy which said that Americans could get through the economic crisis if they worked together as a nation to overcome the discouraging times and were "good neighbors" to each other. FDR saw himself as the leader of "a great army" who would take the necessary actions to restore his country back to prosperous times.
In FDR's First Inaugural Address, the President speaks of his concern for the present economy and its effect on the American people. FDR plans to help the American people through the current economic hardship by instituting government policies instead of letting the economy "work itself out" which was the Republican way of thinking. FDR was concerned with the rising taxes and the US citizens' inability to pay these taxes. FDR was also concerned with the lack of security that farmers had in addition to the loss of many families' savings. What may have concerned Roosevelt most was the increasing unemployment rate in America. An action Roosevelt took that dealt with the unfortunate issue of unemployment was calling for tighter credit, banking, and an end to speculation. Roosevelt also issued the Good Neighbor policy which said that Americans could get through the economic crisis if they worked together as a nation to overcome the discouraging times and were "good neighbors" to each other. FDR saw himself as the leader of "a great army" who would take the necessary actions to restore his country back to prosperous times.
LAD #31
The Kellogg-Briand Treaty
In 1928, the United States signed the Kellogg-Briand Treaty. This treaty was a pact between America and fifteen other powers stating that war would henceforth be renounced as a national policy used as a means of solving international conflicts. The treaty contained numerous articles that stated different things. For example, Article I declared that the fifteen countries who signed the treaty had vowed that they would not resort to going to war when international problems arose. Instead, these countries would negotiate and come to peaceful resolutions. Article II stated that if problems were to arise, they would be resolved peacefully. Article III declared that "The Present Treaty will be ratified by the High Contracting Parties named in the Preamble in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements and shall take effect as between them as soon as all their several instruments shall have been deposited at Washington." Finally, the leaders of the countries who signed the pact and agreed to follow its articles were listed at the end of the pact.
In 1928, the United States signed the Kellogg-Briand Treaty. This treaty was a pact between America and fifteen other powers stating that war would henceforth be renounced as a national policy used as a means of solving international conflicts. The treaty contained numerous articles that stated different things. For example, Article I declared that the fifteen countries who signed the treaty had vowed that they would not resort to going to war when international problems arose. Instead, these countries would negotiate and come to peaceful resolutions. Article II stated that if problems were to arise, they would be resolved peacefully. Article III declared that "The Present Treaty will be ratified by the High Contracting Parties named in the Preamble in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements and shall take effect as between them as soon as all their several instruments shall have been deposited at Washington." Finally, the leaders of the countries who signed the pact and agreed to follow its articles were listed at the end of the pact.
LAD #30
Schenck vs. the United States
On March 3, 1919, the Schenck vs. the United States case was brought to the Supreme Court. The case was unique and tricky because it essentially was an indicament for three reasons. Schenck's first offense was causing insubordination in the military, thus violating the Espionage Act of 1917. Schenck's goal was to prevent the number of men who enlisted in the military during the war. This action was, of course, illegal. In addition to this wrong, Schenck committed a federal crime against the United States. Finally, Schenck, a socialist who was against the war, mailed documents that that were not legally mailable. He tried to defend himself by saying that he was not violating the Constitution because the Thirteenth Amendment supported "involuntary solitude" even though Schenck was publicizing documents that clearly did not support the war and were allowing recently drafted soldiers to see these documents. Although Schenck defended his actions and said they were legal when he was tried, he was accused of violating the Espionage Act. Judge Holmes created the Constriction Act and instituted the policy of "clear and present danger". This policy stated that one cannot yell "fire" in a crowded theater or abuse their freedom of speech when it could potentially harm others.
On March 3, 1919, the Schenck vs. the United States case was brought to the Supreme Court. The case was unique and tricky because it essentially was an indicament for three reasons. Schenck's first offense was causing insubordination in the military, thus violating the Espionage Act of 1917. Schenck's goal was to prevent the number of men who enlisted in the military during the war. This action was, of course, illegal. In addition to this wrong, Schenck committed a federal crime against the United States. Finally, Schenck, a socialist who was against the war, mailed documents that that were not legally mailable. He tried to defend himself by saying that he was not violating the Constitution because the Thirteenth Amendment supported "involuntary solitude" even though Schenck was publicizing documents that clearly did not support the war and were allowing recently drafted soldiers to see these documents. Although Schenck defended his actions and said they were legal when he was tried, he was accused of violating the Espionage Act. Judge Holmes created the Constriction Act and instituted the policy of "clear and present danger". This policy stated that one cannot yell "fire" in a crowded theater or abuse their freedom of speech when it could potentially harm others.
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