Seamen`s Act: Rights for Merchant Mariners |
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Largely thanks to the efforts of Robert M. La Follette, Congress in 1915 enacted the Seamen's Act, providing the merchant marine with rights similar to those gained by factory workers. This law had been prompted by the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, a disaster that had clearly illustrated the lack of planning and concern exhibited by the major shipping companies. The Seamen's Act was regarded as the "Magna Charta of the seas" and mandated the following:
At the time of this measure's passage, the United States had not entered World War I. However, the U.S. merchant marine used its neutral position to assume the dominant position in the world carrying trade. Much attention was paid to conditions endured by seamen and La Follette, always the champion of the underdog, responded.
WWII Merchant Seamen Want Final Recognition
The seamen's war role was resurrected recently when it was discovered that M. Larry Lawrence, the late ambassador to Switzerland, had lied about his war record. He was later disinterred from Arlington National Cemetery. Lawrence had claimed he ...
http://www.usmm.org/ww2merchant.html
Impressment of American Seamen (from War of 1812) -- Britannica Student Encyclopedia
... of 1812... (75 of 2548 words) More from Britannica on "Impressment of American Seamen (from War of 1812)"...51899 Encyclopędia Britannica articles, from the full 32 volume encyclopedia>1812, War of(June 18, 1812Dec. 24, 1814), inconclusive ...
http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-209983
Sugar Act; Stamp Act
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