Okay, let’s break down what “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 57, 78th Congress, 1st Session” means and what kind of information it contains, and then discuss its significance.
What is the United States Statutes at Large?
The United States Statutes at Large is the official record of all laws passed by the United States Congress. Think of it as the permanent collection of every single Act, resolution, and treaty signed into law during a specific period. It’s the official, chronological record, presented exactly as it was passed. It is different from the United States Code, which is an organized subject matter compilation of the general and permanent laws of the United States.
- Official Record: This is the key point. It’s the legal record. If you need to know the precise wording of a law as it was originally enacted, this is where you find it.
- Chronological: Laws are published in the Statutes at Large in the order they were enacted. This means you won’t find them grouped by subject.
- Permanent: The Statutes at Large are permanently archived and available for historical and legal research.
Breaking Down “Volume 57, 78th Congress, 1st Session”
Let’s decode that title:
- Volume 57: This indicates the specific volume number in the overall series of Statutes at Large. Each volume covers a certain period of Congressional sessions.
- 78th Congress: The United States Congress operates in two-year terms. The 78th Congress refers to the Congress that served from January 3, 1943, to January 3, 1945. Each Congress is further divided into sessions:
- 1st Session: Each Congress has two sessions – a first and a second. The 1st Session of the 78th Congress covered the period from January 6, 1943, to December 21, 1943.
So, in essence, Volume 57 of the Statutes at Large contains the full text of all laws passed by the United States Congress between January 6, 1943, and December 21, 1943.
What Kind of Laws Were Passed During This Period? (Context)
The 78th Congress was in session during World War II. This is extremely important context. Therefore, the laws contained in Volume 57 of the Statutes at Large heavily reflect the needs and priorities of a nation at war. You would expect to find laws related to:
- War Funding: Appropriations for the military, defense production, and related activities would be prominent. Think bills authorizing spending for weapons, troops, supplies, and wartime agencies.
- Military Matters: Legislation concerning the draft, military personnel, benefits for veterans, and regulations governing the armed forces.
- Economic Controls: Laws aimed at controlling inflation, rationing scarce resources (like food, gasoline, and rubber), and managing the wartime economy.
- National Security: Legislation related to espionage, sabotage, and internal security measures.
- International Relations: Laws concerning alliances, treaties, and foreign aid related to the war effort.
Examples of Potential Laws within Volume 57 (This is illustrative, as I haven’t reviewed the document itself):
- Supplemental Appropriations Acts: Providing additional funding for specific war-related needs.
- Amendments to the Selective Service Act: Adjusting the draft based on changing war demands.
- Legislation creating or modifying wartime agencies: Like the War Production Board or the Office of Price Administration.
- Acts related to Lend-Lease: Providing aid to Allied nations.
- Laws concerning the internment of Japanese Americans: (Unfortunately, a significant and controversial aspect of this period.)
Why is This Document Important?
- Historical Record: It’s a primary source document for understanding the legislative response to World War II. It allows historians and researchers to see exactly what Congress was doing and thinking at the time.
- Legal Precedent: Although many of the laws passed during the war were temporary, some may have established legal precedents or principles that are still relevant today. Certain laws could have implications or have been used as precedents for later legislation on national security, economic regulation during crises, or executive power.
- Understanding the Evolution of Law: By examining the Statutes at Large, we can trace how laws have been amended, repealed, or reinterpreted over time. This is crucial for legal scholars and practitioners.
- Genealogy and Personal Research: Sometimes, people researching their family history might find information related to their ancestors’ involvement in the war effort (e.g., military service, government employment) through these laws.
How to Access and Use Volume 57
Thanks to resources like govinfo.gov (as you mentioned), the Statutes at Large are increasingly accessible online. When using Volume 57, remember:
- Search Functionality: Use keywords relevant to your research (e.g., “military,” “appropriation,” “rationing”).
- Context is Key: Always consider the historical context when interpreting a law from this period.
- Cross-Reference: Check related legislation and court cases to gain a complete understanding of the law’s impact.
- Look for Repeals and Amendments: A law in the Statutes at Large may have been later changed or revoked. Use legal research tools to determine its current status.
In Summary
“United States Statutes at Large, Volume 57, 78th Congress, 1st Session” is a valuable historical and legal resource that provides a snapshot of the laws enacted by the United States Congress during a critical period of World War II. It offers insights into the legislative responses to the challenges and demands of a nation at war and serves as a foundation for understanding the evolution of American law.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 57, 78th Congress, 1st Session
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The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-09 12:29, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 57, 78th Congress, 1st Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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