LAD #27: Clayton Antitrust Act

This act, put into effect in October of 1914 was a supplement to the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890). This Act was much more specific in the guidelines it set including: price discrimination, sales, mergers, and prohibited any one person from being the head of two or more companies. This act tried to promote competition between companies to ensure protection of the consumer and of the market. Also, the Clayton Antitrust act helped out unions by protecting them with different sections and clauses. This act is still used today and serves it purpose very well.

LAD #26: MLK's I Have A Dream Speech

Martin Luther King Jr. starts his speech with an allusion to the Emancipation Proclamation, about how the slaves were set free, but still "one hundred years later, the Negro is still not free." He goes on to talk about how situations and life are still anything but great or equal one hundred years after this was supposed to happen. He also makes reference to the Declaration of Independence and how these rights do not hold true for blacks. He talks of Civil Rights and how the country must change. He then talks about his dreams saying "I have a dream..." "I have a dream today!" and continues this pattern with heartfelt words. One of the most memorable parts is when he says, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." He ends with let freedom ring in all the areas of the United States and let blacks be "Free at last!"

LAD #25: The Dawes Act

In general, this act is about the distribution of land in Oklahoma. Land was divided among the Native Americans, settlers, and railways. This act, also called the General Allotment Act divided up the land into allotments around 160 acres big. A trust fund was also created by this act with would collect money from industries around the Native Americans' land.

LAD #24: Bryan's "Cross of Gold" Speech

This is one of the most famous American speeches, if not the most famous. It is powerful and heartfelt. It was delivered at the Democratic Nominating Convention. This speech was in supports of bimetallism, meaning that the monetary standard is measured in amounts with both gold and silver in mind, not just one as many parties and people had been arguing. This would be done in best intentions for the country and would put a stop to the deflation which was occurring. Included in the speech was a lot about others who influenced the debate about which standard to use. By the end Bryan is seen as a leading figure in the argument about the economy.

LAD #23: Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party was a third party that "opposed the concentrated capital of bans and big businesses and decried the many of the effects that industrialism was having on American society." Main opinions were:
that the power of the people should be in the hands of the people, labor unions should exist, wealth is entitled to those who work for it, and the government should not just let the railroad companies walk on them, but rather take control. Also, a sound currency was desired and a few other important pieces in finance, transportation should be owned by the government, not the other way around, and land should be used with good intentions and for the benefit of the people. In closing, many resolutions were made dealing with citizens, workers, businesses, government, and controversial topics.

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

The Cubans revolted against Spain in 1895, and a brutal war resulted. During the first three years of warfare the United States remained neutral, but in 1898, the US asked for Spain to stop fighting. A few days later, the President declared war on Spain, saying,"In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests which give us the right and duty to speak and to act, the war in Cuba must stop."
McKinley shows Congress how bad the situation is in Cuba and that it needed to be fixed, and the US could aide in this. He also described four main reasons why intervention was needed: 1. The US needs to help for humane reasons but also because the conflict "it is right at our door". 2. The citizens of Cuba need the US's help. 3. The war is affecting trade, commerce, and our people's business. 4. The condition of Cuba affects the United States' peace.
Also the destruction of the Maine (an American Battleship), further increased tensions.

LAD #21: Carnegie's Wealth

A very successful man, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), became wealthy in the industry of iron and steel. In his Gospel of Wealth, Carnegie explains how wealth and money should be handled to ensure it is protected and can be worth it. Also, he asserted that wealthy people were needed to keep a society balanced and so that they could distribute this money. Three ways of distribution were described: after death money could go to one's family, the society, or even give money away before death.