LAD #31

Summary of Wilson's Fourteen Points

At the close of the Great War, President Wilson wrote his 14 points in hopes of achieving peace at Versailles. He made his points very lenient because he knew that forgiveness and aid to all would be the best way to secure peace. However, the other Ally nations did not accept his plan because they wanted revenge, especially on Germany. Wilson's Fourteen points included: open peace and discussions, freedom of the seas, removal of economic barriers, lowering of national armaments, adjustment of colonial claims, evacuation of Russia, evacuation of Belgium, freedom and restoration of parts of France, readjustment of land in Italy, freedom for autonomous development for Austria-Hungary, Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be free and independent politically and economically, Turkey should be sovereign and the Dardanelles open to all, Poland should be independent, and, lastly, a League of Nations should be formed. Sadly, his plans did not go well with the nations of Europe and he was forced to make a lot of compromises and Germany suffered terribly under the Treaty of Versailles.

 

LAD #30

Summary of Schenck vs. US case

 Charles Schenck believed the Great War was hurting the nation because it benefited the rich over the poor. As a result he took to actions that went against the war. One of these was mailing circulars to draftees urging them to avoid joining the war. He was arrested in violation of the espionage act. He appealed his case to the Supreme Court on the basis that his first amendment (free speech) was violated. He lost because the court found that his actions were a "clear and present danger" to the nation since he was working against the war effort. It was believed that some rights had to be given up for the good of the nation during war.