LAD #29: Keating-Owen Child Labor Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act relates to the Keating-Owen Child Labor Act because both regulate labor and make for more fair and humane working conditions.

Keating-Owen Child Labor Act Summary: After the 1900 census revealed that 2 million children were working in factories, mines, fields, and stores across the country, the nation was outraged. Social workers and other prominent individuals began to condemn the treatment of children in workplaces given its negative effect on their health and over all well-being. The Keating-Owen Child Labor Act was passed in response to this outcry for a solution. The act established the age of 14 as the minimum for work and 16 as the minimum for work in mines. In addition, children could only work a maximum of 8 hours per day. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court declared this law unconstitutional in the Hammer v. Dagenhart case. The Supreme Court ruled that the government did not have the right to regulate commerce. An amendment was proposed in the 1920's regarding child labor which also failed. Finally, in the 1940's the Supreme Court reversed their ruling. This decision stands today.

LAD #28: Wilson's First Inaugural

Obama's First Inaugural Address relates to Wilson's first Inaugural Address because both speak about what their plan is for America going forward to improve it from where it was before.


Wilson's First Inaugural Summary: In his First Inaugural Address, Wilson spoke about the morals of the American people and the need for change in society. He first talked about how successful the Industrial Revolution was, but he also addresses the underlying issues it caused. The boom in industry had lead to much corruption, which needed to be combated. He spoke of "the human cost, the cost of lives snuffed out, (of) energies overtaxed and broken". He also admitted that the government "has too often been made use of for private and selfish purposes" and he is essentially stressing the need for reform. He promised reforms such as sanitary laws, pure off laws, and laws regarding conditions of labor. These promises were carried out through the Pure Food and Drug Act passed during his administration. He desired to restore the nation, rather than destroy it. Although he acknowledged that the nation is in need of a serious makeover, he conveys a message of hope for reform for his presidency.

LAD #27: Clayton Anti-Trust Act

The Clayton Anti-Trust Act relates to the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act because both regulated businesses so that they don't cheat consumers.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act Summary: The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was largely ineffective, bringing need for the Clayton Anti-Trust Act of 1914. One of the main points of this Act was the assertion that businesses could not charge customers different prices for the same product. This served to limit the monopolistic practices, especially by Rockefeller with the railroads, of charging different prices to different customers. It was made clear though that this Act would not limit a business's ability to selectively choose customers. The Act also disallowed companies to shift prices and the eliminate the weak as had been done before. The last point of the act was the outlawing of restrictive mechanisms such as "pyramid business", in order to promote free trade and prevent the lessening of competition.

LAD #26: MLK's 'I Have a Dream' Speech

MLK's I Have a Dream speech relates to Obama's keynote speech in 2004 because both are important and great speeches in America's history and talk about prevalent problems of the day.


MLK's 'I Have a Dream' Speech Summary: Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most well known and inspiring American speeches. He begins his speech by alluding to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, and saying that even though the slaves are free, "one hundred years later, the Negro is still not free". He then explains that after 100 years, the situations of black people in America have not gotten to "equal" yet like they were supposed to. MLK Jr. then references the Declaration of Independence and proves that he rights of do not hold up for blacks. He argues that the nation must change and that Civil Rights must be given. He then repeats the famous line "I have a dream..." and effectively uses this pattern with heartfelt words that move the American public. One particularly important part is where he says the he has "a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character". He concludes this speech with a call for the blacks to be "Free at last!".