LAD #35- Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas

Brown vs. Board of Education
Topeka, Kansas
1951
Summary:

Schools of the 1950's were widely segregated, despite the fact that they were supposed to be equal. One third-grader, Linda Brown had to walk an extra few miles to the black elementary school even though the white school was only a few blocks away. Her father had attempted to enroll her in the white elementary school, but was refused. As a result Oliver Brown went to the National Associated for the Advancement of Colored People who were eager to challenge the segregation in public schools. Brown's case was brought to trial, and was then known as Brown vs. Board of Education.

The Board of Education testified that segregation already existed everywhere else, so segregation in schools served to prepare black children for what they would face in adulthood, also arguing that these schools posed no harmful threat to the children. The judges partially agreed with the witness, writing that "A sense of inferiority affects the motivation of a child to learn."

However, there was also the precedent of Plessy vs. Ferguson that allowed separate yet equal schools, urging the court to rule in favor of the Board. The NAACP and Brown appealed to the Supreme Court, their case combined with those from other states with similar situations, but the court did not reached a decision. A decision was finally made based on whether black children were deprived equal protection in schools under the law, with the final ruling that the "separate but equal" doctrine was to be down away with, and schools to be desegregated.

The ruling did not abolish segregation in all other areas, but did declare mandatory segregation unconstitutional, along with foreshadowing the eventual desegregation of the nation.

LAD #34- Truman Doctrine

Truman Doctrine
March 12, 1947
Summary:

The national security of the nation would soon become involved in the situations in both Greece and Turkey, as the former of the two had sent an appeal seeking financial aid and assistance, having had to work indefinitely from the beginning to make ends met. President Truman did not believe that his country would turn its back to the Greeks at this time. The Germans had virtually destroyed most of the country during the second World War along with the livestock, leading to inflation in the country. Greece would need aid in importing goods for political and economic recovery.

However Greece was faced with the threat of spreading Communism, something that did not bode well with the United States, and democratic America could end up being Greece's last resort. Turkey was also faced with poor circumstances and required aid, and President Truman concluded that the United States was the only nation that could give that aid.

By aiding both Eastern European nations the United States could free these people from being forced into a Communist regime and assist them in bettering their nations as a whole. Communism went against all American beliefs, and the downfall of Greece to this form of government would lead to the deterioration of the freedoms of surrounding countries.

Truman asked Congress to back his proposal in offering support to both nations to protect both freedoms and to equally share their international responsibilities.