LAD #26: I Had A Dream Speech

I Had A Dream Speech



Martin Luther King Jr. was a powerful and influential speaker during his time. He had the "I had a dream" speech which was in front of the capital in order to talk to millions of Americans about racial equality and the fight for it. This speech was in response to the Emancipation Proclamation which was when blacks were declared equal. This speech was because although they were equal, they were still a slave to the whites. He knew that they were still discriminated against and knew it needed to change. He believed that the idea of freedom needs to include all races, and in order to achieve this violence cannot be used. He dreamed of a land where blacks and whites could walk together and live together in equality and a land where his children do not have to be afraid when out of the house. He also talked about how blacks and other races cannot dominate the whites either. They have to be equal and hand in hand other wise the nation cannot survive. When this is true, then he believed his dream would be fulfilled.

LAD #25: Dawes Act

Dawes Act

The Dawes Act was an act that split up and distributed land to the Indians. It first gave land to the head of all the house holds and then to different ages and orhpans etc. Except with each step lower, the amount of land went down too. This land distribution was suppose to help the Indian economy prosper. Yet if a group of Indians came to another tribes land since they did not have an alloted amount, then they would be given the same privliages and recources to become American citizens to get their jobs paid by the federal government. Even with all this effort to help the Indians, in the end it did not. In ruined the unity, culture, and self government that the Indians possessed. And over time, most of the land belonged to whites anyways because the land was used as negotiations. 

LAD #23: The Populist Party Platform

The Populist Party Platform

This party was all started because of the big business and laissez faire government. This is because this created the major gap between the rich and the poor. This gap proved important the party because one of the main ideas of it was the idea that silver should be added back into the money system. This silver was very important for the farmers so many of the poor farmers were more in favor of this party. The party had three main goals or ideas. One, that a permanent labor union would be provided for all workers. Two, there could be no industrial giants whom would take the employees money for them selves. And three, the railroads would be made property of the people by being under government control rather than business. They also believe they will create a graduated income tax, improve transportation, repossess the land of the big businesses to the government for the people. And then the platform ended with a list of Sentiments demanding the government, big businesses to do things and that the people must get sympathy from them.

LAD #24: Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech

Bryans Cross of Gold Speech

This was one of the most important speeches in America and was given by a great speaker named William Jennings Bryan. It was at the 1896 Democratic National Convention. In this speech he talked highly of the use of gold and silver in thebacking of the nations currency, known as bimettalism. He then explained that this would help the farmers because having only gold made it so that there was less money circulating since gold meant more. But if there was silver, it is worth less than gold, therefore more money in circulation. This would help farmers and others get out of debt and reduce the deflation happening at the time. Bryan viewed himself as a supporter of the western interests, and the people he was speaking too believed and supported what he was saying because they were being soo loud. Yet although his great speech, he lost the nomination for presidency in this election. 

LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

McKinley's War Message

McKinleys War Message was all started because of the way the Spanish were treating the Cubans. The war and struggle was going on there and America decided it was time to intervene and help the Cubans. The Americans were so intrigued in declaring war on spain that they did not even listen to the Spanish who were starting to settle the dispute. This is where his message came in. Before Congress was able to declare war, McKinley gives a speech. He starts off with three reasons why America should be involved including problems with immigrants. Then he talks about the role America could take in it by either becoming neutral or helpful to both sides or choosing an ally. He says we should go in as a neutral party because these problems are affecting the whole world because of trade and neighboring countries interfering. There is also the reason of the shipping of the USS Maine. This speech was finished with him allowing Congress to declare war if necessary but he says that Spain would most likely come to an agreement with the U.S. Congress ignored this and war was declared 5 days later.