American History

In the case Korematsu v. United States the government position was reasonable because it was a case of national emergency in view of the threat of war against Japan. The issue here should not be seen in the context of racial discrimination or of loyalty or disloyalty in the sense that at risks were not simply the lives of particular community or the nations economy but the entire nation, the entire people, and the entire economy. Rather it should be viewed as a matter of safeguarding the nation during the most critical hour. The court decision therefore to affirm the exclusion of People of Japanese origin in the West Coast was a matter of patriotic duty rather than a discriminatory act. The decision was indeed laudable because despite the threat of war was coming from the country to which the people subject for exclusion had originated they were placed under protective custody to prevent them from being harassed or from attacked by local communities affected by war. They were merely excluded from the general population in order to avoid any untoward consequences of negligence and complacency on the part of the government. Thus, decision to affirm exclusion and restriction against people of Japanese ancestry was reasonable and therefore commendable.  

The second article entitled The March on Washington Movement though Philip Randolph talked about the impact of war, yet he was more concern on the expression of freedom and constitutional rights. This article was quite long, yet its main argument boils down to the basic tenets of equality, constitutional rights, and freedom under the banner of true democracy. The paper tackled various subjects that made it somewhat complex but in the general sense, its emphasis on the purpose of March on the Washington Movement, which was the liberation of the Negro people, was extremely important because the evil of slavery undermines not only the freedom, the rights, and dignity of people simply because of the color of their skin, but also the designs which God has intended for every human being, that is, to live as free men and women in a world that is free from destruction and chaos.

The third reading which was an Interview with Shirlee and Charlie Thompson, the interview depict that war has changed the lives of many America people. Shirlee and Charlie Thompson shared their own experience during an interview in 2002, in which according to them, younger people of 19 and older were obliged to serve in the camp whether as soldier or as factory worker apparently for the cause of war. There was no excuse except for seniors who were allowed to stay home. Life therefore during the war was full of uncertainty as every able individual regardless of sex were required to participate in war for freedom and democracy.
 
In the second material containing two memorandums from V. Bush and J.B. Conant to the secretary of war of the United States, the first memo contains six pointers regarding the future international handling of subject of atomic bombs. Bush and Conant expressed apprehension over the on going arms development of the United States notably the atomic bomb. They were right to emphasize that the United States cannot hide forever that it is embarking on arms development and suggested the need for free interchange of all scientific information. It is a good suggestion especially that the war was just over and every nation was reeling from the impact of war.

The second memo as the title suggests, was a follow up of the earlier suggestion concerning the need for international exchange of information. While Conant and Bush also talked about atomic bomb, their concern was to inform the concern parties that the development of this super-super bomb is extremely dangerous. Their concern was well said and very timely as during this time, and the succeeding years there after, this issue has become the concern of every nation especially during the cold war era.  

The Prize of Enduring Peace and Justice in the Life of the World

The topic above was taken from the speech which President Woodrow Wilson has delivered before the joint session of congress in order to seek a declaration of war against Germany. The speech was indeed full of practical arguments that warrant the American declaration of war. There were two things that would immediately come to mind upon reading the entire message. First was the dominance of Germany over Europe. In Wilsons description of the situation in Europe, the condition was getting worse as Germany was in control sinking every kind of vessels, what ever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errandwithout warning and without thought of help or mercy for those on board, the vessels of friendly neutrals along with those of belligerents. The second was the role that America has assumed in order to hold back the ruthless Germans.  In both concepts, the lesson that we can learn is that when one is vested with so much power, he will surely become dictator. This is usually the case in many governments around the world. The peace that was gained so hardly is suddenly replaced with tyranny and the justice with injustice. American participation in the war may have been timely and very much needed but was more important was that it gave a signal that tyrannical rule has no place in democracy.

On the second reading titled Four Minute Men Volunteer Speeches During World War I, this article talked about the strategy used during the World War I in order to attract able individuals to enlist in the military. The Four minutes Men was actually more on instructions on how members or those willing to participate in this military initiative can deliver speeches in a the shortest time possible. While this initiative featured the different experiences and the feelings of the Four Minute Men volunteer, the languages used, and the impact of their speeches, it seemed that most important accomplishment of this initiative was to awaken the sense of nationalism in the American people, and the values its has instill among the hearers of the message. One example was the part of the poem read by the Four Minute Men titled Its Duty Boy which goes, Id rather you had died at birth or not been born at all, Than know that I had raised a son who cannot hear the call

Eugene Debs The Canton, Ohio Speech talks about struggles of the working class during the time when America was under the threat of communism. The speech was full of ideas that promotes the ideals of socialism and as well as of the revolution. Though Debs seemed to focus his message on the plight of the working class, yet he claimed that he belonged to an organized group. Statement such as  Those comrades of oursand how I loved them Aye, they are my younger brothers their very names throb in my heart, thrill in my veins, and surge in my soul were actually eliciting people to fight for with their lives for their economic situation. It is important to note that the situation in America during this time was not as worse as in other countries where the government deprived its citizens of their rights and freedom. Therefore I should say the speech was more inciting people to against the government disguise as a concern for working class and the poor people.

The last article contained in this material titled Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer Makes the Case against the Reds was a short piece of writing which also talked about communism. The article warned about the seriousness of the threat of vast organization that were plotting to overthrow the government.  The article categorically identified what the Reds were all about and their tenets. Thus the writer was keen on getting the attention of the readers by using strong words such as describing Bolshevism as criminals and looters, and was an alien in the country. During this time, the message was appropriate and timely.