LAD #31: President Wilson's 14 Points

Wilson's 14 Points relate to the Treaty of Paris of 1783 because both negotiated peace to end a major war.

President Wilson's 14 Points Summary: Wilson begins by addressing the Congress saying that the countries of the Central Empires want to negotiate peace. Russia had also outlined what they thought the peace treaty should include. The United States would like to be able to help the Russian people attain their hopes for liberty and peace. Wilson wants to make sure that all secret covenants are gone. Wilson just wants it so the world is fit and safe to live in and to achieve this all of the countries will have to work together. His 14 points include, diplomacy being available to the public, absolute freedom of the seas, equal trade and the removal of economic barriers, guarantees that the national military will be reduced to the lowest point to keep domestic safety, as well as a open mind about colonial claims. They also include giving freedoms to Russia and allowing them to join the society of free nations, Belgium will be evacuated and restored and its freedom shall not be limited, all French territory should be freed and restored including Alsace-Lorraine, most nations that were involved are to be evacuated and restored, and finally an association of nations is to be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity. He doesn't even want to really hinder Germany at all as long as they want to join with the other peaceful nations.

LAD #30 Schenck vs. US

The Clay v. US case is very similar to the Schenck v. US case because both were against the draft and going to war.

Schenck vs. US Summary: During WW1 sent things to draftees that suggested that the draft was a monstrous wrong motivated by capitalism. In order to repeal the draft, he urged people to use peaceful action such as petitions. Schenck was charged with conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act by attempting to cause defiance in the military and to stop recruitment. The question was, however, did the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protect Schenck's actions? Speaking for a unanimous court, Holmes concluded that he was not protected in this situation. He explained this decision by saying that it depends on if the actions "create a clear and present danger" and bring about the "substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent". Which basically means that if the actions could create problems, in this case civil unrest or lack of a military, then Congress has the right to stop these actions from happening, especially in a time of war.