Okay, let’s break down the “United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session” and what that tells us, along with some related context. Think of this as a plain-English guide to a specific collection of U.S. laws.
What is the United States Statutes at Large?
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Think of it as a historical record of all U.S. Federal laws. The United States Statutes at Large is the official, permanent collection of every Act of Congress and treaty ratified during a specific congressional session. It’s the official record that proves a law was actually passed.
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More than just the text: Besides the exact wording of the law, the Statutes at Large will show the date it was enacted, the official bill number, and any amendments or repeals to previous laws. This is vital for legal research.
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Chronological order: The laws are arranged in the Statutes at Large chronologically, based on the date they were enacted. This means that the earliest laws passed during that Congressional session appear first, and the later ones are towards the end of the volume.
Breaking Down “Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session”
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Volume Number (56): This indicates which volume of the Statutes at Large we’re talking about. The volumes are numbered sequentially.
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77th Congress: This refers to the specific Congress that passed the laws. Each Congress lasts for two years. The 77th Congress convened from January 3, 1941, to January 3, 1943.
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1st Session: Each Congress is divided into two “sessions,” one for each year. The “1st Session” is the legislative period within the first year of the 77th Congress, so from January 3, 1941 until sometime in 1941 (it would vary).
Why is this important?
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Historical Context: The 77th Congress, 1st Session, was a hugely significant time in American history. This period was right before and during the beginning of World War II. The laws passed during this session reflect the nation’s concerns about national defense, international relations, and the economic impact of the war.
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Examples of likely topics covered in that session:
- Defense Funding: Appropriations for the military, shipbuilding, aircraft production, and other defense-related activities would have been major legislative items.
- Lend-Lease Act (H.R. 1776, Approved March 11, 1941): This was a landmark Act that allowed the U.S. to provide military aid to Allied nations without requiring immediate payment. This could easily have been in Volume 56.
- Neutrality Act Amendments: There were likely adjustments to the Neutrality Acts to allow the U.S. to provide more support to countries fighting the Axis powers, while still (at least formally) maintaining neutrality until Pearl Harbor.
- Mobilization and Economic Control: Legislation related to mobilizing the economy for war production, price controls, and resource allocation might be included.
- Selective Service: Laws pertaining to conscription (the draft) and the expansion of the armed forces would be highly relevant.
- Labor Issues: Laws related to labor disputes and worker protections might also be present, especially given the increased demand for labor in war industries.
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Legal Research: Lawyers, historians, and researchers use the Statutes at Large to understand the exact wording and legislative history of laws. This is crucial for interpreting the law and understanding its intended purpose.
In conclusion:
The United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session, contains the official text of the laws enacted by Congress during a critical period leading up to and including the beginning of World War II. It provides invaluable insights into the legal and political landscape of the time, especially regarding defense, war mobilization, and international relations. If you were to actually look at Volume 56, you’d find the specific laws passed during that session, organized chronologically.
United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-09 13:10, ‘United States Statutes at Large, Volume 56, 77th Congress, 1st Session’ was published according to Statutes at Large. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-un derstand manner. Please answer in English.
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