LAD/Blog #26: William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech

In this speech, William Jennings Bryan supports free silver and compares the employers who only get wealthy because of their workers to the actual workers. He goes on to talk about how even though cities want to keep the value of gold the same, it is hurting farmers, who are a main reason communities, cities, and towns run they way they do. He argues that it is simply not fair. If Americans are basing their opinion off of the fact that England has a gold standard, Bryan debates, then England should adopt the bimetallism because America has it. Being so passionate about this topic, Bryan's even threatens to fight anyone who opposes this mentality. With a unforgettable quote to wrap up his speech he says: "You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold" in hopes of showing the level of severity this issue presents.

LAD/Blog #25: The Dawes Act

Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 was an act where Native American reservation/tribal land was redistributed to individual Native Americans. basically, the U.S. government wanted to assimilate the Native Americans into the American lifestyle and culture. They planned to do this by making them farmers, and to do so they needed land to farm. Thus, the government offered 160 acres of land to the head of a family, and then 80 acres to single men. if these natives took the offer from the U.S. government, they were able to live and cultivate the land at the same time as becoming subject to both laws locally and federally. The U.S. wanted this to pass in order to improve the lives of the natives, but the transition was very difficult and painful. Native American lives only worsened.

LAD/Blog #24: Populist (People's) Party Platform

1.  The Preamble:

In the preamble the Populist party talks about how they firmly believe that the government is corrupt, is controlled by big businesses, and also unfairly distributes wealth among the communities. They mention that the little the government does is to help the wealthy. Nothing is being done to help the poor.

2.  The Platform:

In the Platform, it talks about how a union should be created where the founder of the union gets the wealth. Since the government is supposed to be for the people, they believe the government should have control of some of the big business industries like railroads and communication devices. Silver and gold money should both be coined, and that they should be more circulated, an income tax should be created, and the government should only make as much money as is necessary.

3.  The Resolutions that made up the Expression of Sentiments:

In the Expression of Sentiments, The Party demands that the ballots are free-so everyone eligible can vote, and that each are counted fairly. Additionally, working conditions and hours should be altered, the vice president and president should only be able to serve one term, and the government should not financially support any big corporations.

Donald Trump was an outsider-a businessman who was involved in politics. this made him appeal to many people. he was more of a "common man" than the other candidates. People have been getting upset with the scandals and corruptness in government so having an outsider gave some people hope of a change and a new point of view. 

LAD/Blog #23: McKinley's War Message

In this message, President McKinley talks about how he wants conflicts with Cuba to end. At this time, America was involved in investments with Cuba, which most of which were lost, leaving the american economy and trade in shambles.  Additionally, McKinley disagrees with former President Grant and believes Cuba should be independent, and there are other ways to resolve problems other than war. McKinley supports this by saying that the U.S. has to focus on human right issues, should be aiding legal and financial protection to Cuba, intervening would help boost trade back in America, and that militarily, there is a lot of tension between the two. Thus, this message is made out to congress to carefully consider whether or not the U.S. should intervene in Cuba. 

LAD/Blog #22: Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth

Social Darwinism is, to be summed up, survival of the fittest. An ideal that talks about natural selection and how whoever or whatever can best adapt to its environment will survive and be able to pass along its genes to its offspring. In this article, a form of Social Darwinism exists which is much 'softer'. Instead of adapting to environment, the people need to adapt to their economy. Carnegie stresses that the distribution of wealth is so unbalanced, that the gap between the rich and the poor is a spectrum into two different worlds. Carnegie believes that this is a privilege that the few wealthy are able to have. However, he states three different ways that the wealth should be distributed: give money to family when the person has died, give money to state once the person has died, or while the person is still alive, give money around to different places. The first two have flaws: the first, leaving the remaining wealth to the family, has been seen as a burden to the family. The 2nd causes the money to be reused, but wasted at the same time because it is not put into the correct places. However, the 3rd is the smartest because the "owner" get to choose where to put it and this often creates a better community and economy. Carnegie continues on that spending money on very expensive and unnecessary items only hurts the economy, and those with the wealth should be spending it n a way that promotes capitalism and a better stimulated economy. Basically, instead of putting the job of stimulating the economy into the governments hands, Carnegie suggests a laissez-faire policy in which it is the job of the wealthy to keep the economy going.  

                                                                                                                    Bill Gates