Paul Cooney
AP American
Mr. DeCarlo
25 March 2007

LAD #29-The Truman Doctrine

On March 12th, 1947, Harry S Truman shifted America’s foreign policy to the containment of Communism. He did this by proclaiming that the United States should aid Greece and Turkey economically and militarily, in an effort to diminish the appealing aspects of Communism to the poor. At the time, Greece was without adequate funds due to the civil war in the country against Communist insurgents. They needed to resume their purchases of food, clothing, fuel and seeds to survive. Great Britain had previously been providing the necessary aid to Greece, but when funds ran short, they came to the United States desperately asking for help. If Greece and Turkey were to fall into Communist control, it would ripple all through the region. The Greek army was weak, poorly equipped, and was having trouble resorting governmental power over the country. In his speech, Truman makes a point of stating that “there is no other country to which democratic Greece can turn.” This emphasizes the obligation of the United States to side with the democratic country in their time of need. Turkey also needed help; if Turkey’s national integrity was to survive, it needed financial aid and the United States was the only country they could turn to.

Paul Conney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American
6 March 2007

LAD 26-Schenck vs. US

In 1919, the First Amendment to the Constitution was challenged in the court case Schenck vs. US. Charles Schenck, a socialist, had circulated a flyer urging people to resists the draft during WWI. The flyer cited the thirteenth amendment’s provision against “involuntary solitude,” trying to get men to oppose the draft by peaceful resistance. He was convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 by attempting to cause insubordination in the military and to obstruct recuitment.

Paul Cooney
AP American
Mr. DeCarlo
6 March 2007

LAD 28- FDR’s First Inaugural Address

When FDR was inaugurated on March 4, 1933, it seemed as if the American economic system was about to collapse. This was a real fear for all Americans, and FDR addressed the nation in his first inaugural on this issue. The new President proclaimed that the only thing people had to fear was fear itself, and that the primary task at hand was to put people to work. This was to be accomplished by the direct employment of citizens by the government, acting quickly, and the collaboration of relief programs nation wide. Banks were also subject to FDR’s new plans, and two days after his first inaugural he closed all banks, restricting the export of gold or the redemption of currency in gold. He called upon the nation to stick together, reminding them that they had not failed; simply “They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership,” which is what FDR was planning to provide.

Paul Cooney
AP American
Mr. DeCarlo
6 March 2007

LAD 27-Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact

This was an international treaty, including participation from over ten delegates, "providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy." Essentially it’s goal was to outlaw war, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy. It outlawed aggression, not a nation’s self-defense, and contained no enforcement provisions. The treaty proved to be ineffective, as cited in the actions of Japan in the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931.