Wednesday, March 23, 2016

LAD #36: Truman Doctrine

The Truman Doctrine was addressed by Truman to a joint meeting of Congress. In it, Truman discussed the state of Greece and Turkey after World War II. Truman argued that these nations had turned to the United States for help because the United States was the only one who could provide it. If the United States was to turn these nations away and not provide aid, these countries might fall into the hands of the Soviet Union, spreading communism even further.

Friday, March 11, 2016

LAD #35: FDR's Executive Order #9066

Executive Order #9066 essentially issued the interment of any person of Japanese descent. Although the order itself does not mention anything about the Japanese explicitly, the document makes it clear that the military can create zones of interment where they see fit. During this time period, this meant the Japanese in order to protect "against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense material."

Thursday, March 10, 2016

LAD #34 FDR's Declaration of War

FDR's declaration of war occurred after the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan. FDR describes that attack as unprecedented and dastardly, in addition to describing it as "a date which will live in infamy." He lists the nations that Japan has attacked, and ends his declaration of war by stating that there is not turning back now, as hostilities do indeed exist that threaten the interests of the United States.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

LAD #33: FDR's First Inaugural Address

FDR discusses in his inaugural address the troubles this nation is facing is thankfully only material. However, he continues on, defining happiness as being not based on money, but on achievement. He states how money-grabbing industries have reeked havoc on the citizens of the United States, and that action must be taken against these problems for the sake of the protection of the citizens of the United States. He lists plans to use the land in a better fashion, put people to work, and to prevent this economic situation from happening again. He then follows that up by stating how the people of the United States are more dependent on each other than ever before, and that people are willing to work together to solve this crisis. The overarching theme of the address seems to be intervention of the government to solve this crisis, and FDR is willing to do whatever it takes to reverse the effects of this depression.

Friday, March 4, 2016

LAD #32: Kellogg Briand Peace Pact

The Kellogg Briand Peace Pact was a pact signed by countries such as the United States, France, and Germany that denounced the use of war as a means of foreign policy. It states that all nations that sign this pact agree to not use war and only use passive means of diplomacy to settle disputes.
Signing of the Pact