LAD #31: Wilson’s 14 Points

At the finish of The Great War, President Woodrow Wilson created his fourteen points in order to create peace at Versailles. His plans were lenient because he knew that forgiveness and charity towards all would be the most effective strategy. Sadly, the other Ally forces thought his solution was not harsh enough to tame the vengeful Germany. Wilson’s fourteen points included the removal of economic barriers, equal trade, no private diplomacy, a reduction of arms and military, future colonies would be able to determine their own sovereignty, lastly the League of Nations would be formed. Despite all of the restrictions, the Allies still demanded more. In the end, Wilson made several compromises in order to include the ones who wanted to be in the treaty. 

LAD #30: Schenck vs. US Case

Socialist advocate, Charles Schenck, believed that The Great War would solely benefit the rich and in fact hurt the poor. Schenck participated in various anti-war activities that violated the Espionage Act in order to support his cause. Then in 1917, he was arrested because he was working against the war efforts. However, he appealed his case to the Supreme Court because he believed that the Espionage Act was a violation of the first amendment (the freedom of speech). Sadly, the court decided to uphold his conviction. Holmes said that Schenck’s actions were a “clear and present danger” to the country because he was working against the war effort, but he believed that some rights had to be sacrificed for the good of the nation during wartime.

LAD #29: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

Although big business helped the nation prosper in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century it also came with a host of problems. The conditions in the factories were dangerous and the workers were put through long hours of grueling work only to receive little pay. Children also faced hazardous conditions. Maybe even more so than the adults. The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act tried to reform the hardships that were faced by the child laborers. It also indirectly restricted child labor in order to open up more jobs for men. The Act prohibited the sale of goods made in factories by kids under the age of 14 and also prohibited the operation of mines by kids under the age of 16 years. Lastly, it prevented children under the age of 16 to work more than eight hours a day. 

LAD #28: Wilson's First Inaugural

In the 1912 election, Taft (Republican) and Roosevelt (Progressive) each won some of the Republican votes, therefore, splitting the Republican Party allowing Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) to win the election. During his First Inaugural Address, Wilson talked about the need for change in society and the morals of the American people. He realizes that although the Industrial Revolution was successful, there were also many underlying issues. For example, corruption. He understood that the government’s policy of laissez faire needed to change. Wilson promised reforms such as pure food laws, labor conditions, and sanitary laws. Throughout his presidency, Wilson carried out these promises through the Pure Food and Drug Act. Ultimately, his goal was to give the nation a makeover and reform several areas to help the people.  

LAD #27: The Clayton Anti-Trust Act

Monopolies such as Standard Oil were changing the prices of their goods based on the consumer.  The Clayton Anti-trust Act made this illegal because it stated that businesses and corporations could no longer have different prices for different consumers. Thus, competition between corporations became fairer. In addition, the Act also banned the practice of making buyers only buy one company’s goods and services. This act was one of the early steps in government action after their period of laissez faire. The government started to realize that businesses were gaining so much power and that it was becoming dangerous. The Clayton Anti-trust Act set up a solid framework for ending the era of monopolies and helping to make the business world a fairer environment.