DECA Idea Challenge 2013- Aluminates

LAD #37

In the early 1950s the education system for blacks and whites was similar to when a older sibling breaks a cookie in “half”, both the pieces are now separate, but in no way are they equal (if you are a younger sibling you understand this idea completely). School existed for the both races but was again not to equal standards. In Topeka, Kansas, a little girl named Linda Brown went to school at an elementary school that was over a mile away from her house. This wouldn’t be a really issue if there wasn’t a closer school less then seven blocks away, much closer for the little girl to go to. But, this was an all white school, so Linda was not aloud to attend because of her race. The upset Brown family went to McKinley Burnett, of the NAACP, who was more than eager to support little Linda Brown in her move for the abolition of segregation in schools. One of the main arguments by the plaintiff was that the segregation in the schools made the black students believes that they were inferior to the white student, lending that the segregation was separate but not equal. On the other side the defense argued that these supposed “not equal” school were preparing the black students for a segregated and unequal world. The education board also noted the many successful black who came from segregated schools just like Linda’s. When an injunction was requested, the Supreme Court was compelled to act as they understood that segregated schools were hurting black progress in society. However there was hesitation in ruling in favor of the browns due to the precedent of Plessy vs. Ferguson. After much deliberation, the court finally ruled against Plessy vs. Ferguson in the fact that the schools were inherently unequal, and thus against the spirit and letter of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court demolished “separate but equal” and decided that schools must integrate. This however is easier said then done and it took a long time for other American facilities to become integrated. 

LAD #36

On March 12^th, 1947 President Harry S. Truman made an address to congress known as the Truman Doctrine. He opens his address by stating that Turkey and Greece are requesting monetary support from the US. He continues on stating hat these counties have always been scarce for resources and have had to work hard in order to stay democratic. But, the ever-prevalent pressures of communism are beginning to affect these weak countries. Communist ideas have been on the minds of these people due to their poor conditions, and their economy is a wreak making even subsistence living a challenge. These two countries have requested American aid in leadership, supervision and support to make sure the money that was loaned is effectively used. President Truman argues that without American monetary support, these small countries will fall pray to communism and democracy will not hold through. He then recognizes that the previous wars were begun as other countries attempted to impose their will on other countries. Btu as a result of this, President Truman proposes the creation of the United Nations to help fix all these problems. By creating this, he emphases that no other country can support Greece and Turkey. President Truman then says that if these two countries were to fall to communism it would cause major issues for he surrounding countries. He then request an investment that was much smaller that what was spent during WWII to help aid these countries. President Truman then ends his address with a call to America; he calls for the leadership of the United States, so that the people in those countries can remain free under democracy.

LAD #35

On February 19, 1942, Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued his Executive Order #9066. He started his executive order by stating that this document was required in order to prevent any acts of espionage or any “harmful” actions toward the war efforts in America. FDR then declared that the secretary of War and the military commanders should designate military zones in the US. He continued in granting effort and support of any other federal agencies and bureaus in order to insure the resources they needed to full fill this order. He then commanded all federal agencies to be supportive in this effort and be conscious of their resources such as food, shelter, land, equipment, facilities, utilities, etc.  FDR closed his order by saying that this document was not to infringe upon the interests of the FBI. Ultimately this executive order led to Japanese internment camps in the military zones. These camps were where innocent Japanese-Americans were sent to be held in order to prevent any acts of espionage that could hurt any other American citizen. These camps are greatly considered to be one of the biggest regrets of the American government in history.

LAD #34

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Declaration of War began with a respectful acknowledgment of all the parties present for his speech, he then got right into it with all the facts. Before the cruel surprise attacks of December 7, 1941, Roosevelt explained that the United States were trying make become part in any peaceful negations with the participating countries. After this the Japanese ambassadors gave the sorry message that efforts in peace negations were hopeless, but they did not hint that there would be any possible attacks. But nonetheless, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. FDR placed a great emphasis on the fact that innocent America lives were taken by the Japanese’s on this day. It was his belief that this attack was premeditated due to the act of the distance between Japan and Pearl Harbor. He then went on to say that Japan was acting similarity to how Germany was during the Great War, by restricting America’s freedom to the seas.  After this FDR finished his declaration of war very politely by just simply stating the facts of his argument of war.

LAD #33

          On Saturday, March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his first inaugural address. He opened his address by stating that he desired to tell the whole truth. In his address he argued one of his most famous lines, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He went on to say that America was in a time of trouble, but it will bounce back and America will prosper once again.  He then reminds the people that America’s forefathers rose from devastation as well. He continues with that the United States is a beautiful nation and will continue to stay that way despite the difficulties that it faces.  After that he calls for the people to increase in ethics and make the realization that public office is not there for people to make a personal profit, but to help the people. It was Roosevelt's belief that materialism was plaguing the American people, he asked America to use their land and resources more effectively. He then called for three big changes to occur: the supervision of banking, to end speculation of other’s money, and the creation of a sound national currency.  It was also Roosevelt’s belief that one should respect themselves and one’s neighbor (“Good Neighbor Policy”).   Roosevelt finishes off his first inaugural address proclaiming that he will do his best to help and lead the United States, he also wished Congress with help him accomplish his goals. 

LAD #32

         On August 17^th, 1928, the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact was signed (A.K.A. the Paris Pact). This pact detailed the names of the world powers that could not in any way participate in war, unless it was in a defensive nature. If any arguments were to occur this pact made it so that they could only be settled by passive means. This pact was sadly unsuccessful, but it was a step in the right direction in creating a multinational peace agreement.  The countries that were listed include United States, Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, Japan, New Zealand, India, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Union of South Africa, Irish Free State and Belgium.