ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

We have already talked about this, but you should definitely begin thinking in earnest about which essay topic you would like to tackle.
There are several options below, or you can certainly create your own AS LONG AS YOU VERIFY THE TOPIC WITH ME FIRST.

Remember, the essay will be due to Turnitin.com the same day that it is due in class.

CITATION FORMAT: I do not care which format you use as long as you clearly give credit when you use any words or information from another source.

Essay Assignment: Due June 3.

1. Compare and contrast The Good War with Bloods. As you read these great books,recognize sections that might be worthy of further analysis. Remember, your essay must focus on one particular area of these two books.

2. Explore the history surrounding the War of the Worlds broadcast that we listened to in class. What impact did that broadcast have, and what did that suggest about American society int he 1930s?

3. Choose a modern musical style that you enjoy. Explore the roots of that style in 20th century America (or beyond, if the roots lie elsewhere). Be sure to remember not to describe too much! Tell me what the music means. ARGUE A POINT!

4. President McKinley and President Kennedy were assasinated. President Reagan was shot and nearly killed. In all three cases, lunatics attempted to use political violence to disrupt a nation. Examine all three incidents, and discuss what they meant for the country in each era.

Japanese Internment

Japanese Internment
February 15th of 1942 to December of 1944

Why did it happen?

What was it like?

How did it end?

Why did the government apologize?

Effect of the Hays Code

Which jungle costume was better? Before or after censorship?

Max Ernst, "Europe after the Rain II"

World War Two Outline

How to Quarantine Disease in an Isolationist Country:

I. Intro:
Abraham Lincoln Brigade


II. PEACE IN THE 1920s
A. Isolation
B. Washington Conference
C. Kellogg-Briand Pact
D. The Peace Movement

III. ISOLATION TO WAR
A. Isolationist Tension:
1. Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act (1934)
“Foreign markets must be regained if producers are to rebuild a full and enduring domestic prosperity.” (FDR)
2. Nye Committee
3. Neutrality Acts
FDR: “no state has the right to intervene in the internal or external affairs of another.”
4. Ludlow Amendment
B. Non-Belligerence:
1. Stockpile Act
2. Educational Orders Act
3. Civilian War Resources Board
4. Lend-Lease
5. The Atlantic Charter
C. War: Attack of Pearl Harbor

IV. War:
16 million men and women entered 1/8th in combat
33 months=average time of service

Anne Moody Discussion Guide

This book is due Wednesday, 5/13.


These will guide your reading and help our in-class discussion.

Discussion Questions: Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi

1. Describe Anne Moody’s economic circumstances as a child in Mississippi. When and why did she become a domestic servant?

2. Explain Anne's awakening to racial inequality. What are some of the incidents in childhood that spark her consciousness? How does she first challenge white supremacy and what is the reaction of her family?

3. How did the Emmit Till lynching affect Anne Moody?

4. How did Anne overcome the obstacles to get a college education? Where did she go to school? Did she graduate?

5. How would you describe the attitude toward sex in the college that Anne Moody attended? How does it differ from today’s attitude?

6. Anne frequently refers to African-Americans who were of the “high yellow caste.” To what is she referring?

7. Describe Anne Moody’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement?

8. How does Anne judge the success of the Civil Rights Movement?

9. Anne Moody attended the August 28, 1963 March on Washington. "I sat on the grass and listened to the speakers, to discover we had 'dreamers' instead of leaders leading us...I sat there thinking that in Canton we never had time to sleep, much less dream." How does this contradict Americans' popular memory and celebration of the March and Martin Luther King, Jr's speech?

10. What does Anne Moody’s story tell us of life for African Americans during the Civil Rights era?

The Great Depression:

I. Intro
A. Origins:
1. stock market speculation/The Great Crash
Black Tuesday: October 29, 1929
(stock value: 87-55 billion)
2. Farm Depression
3. Worldwide depression
4. Bad Policy: Hawley-Smoot Tariff

B. Impact of the Depression:
1) morally
2) economically
3) emotionally

II. What Did it do to people?
A) Work:
B) Savings:
C) Housing:
D) Eating:

III. How did people deal with it?

A. BY MAKING FEWER PEOPLE:
B. BY HELPING OUT:
C. BY MOVING:
1. . Okies:
2. African-American migration
3. Mexican-American
D. PSYCHOLOGICALLY:
1. Suicide:
2. Nervous breakdowns:
3. Blaming themselves
4. Blaming others:
a) Hoover and other politicians:
b) business interests:
c) women:
d) Mexican-Americans:
e) blacks:

HERE’S A DEEP QUESTION TO PONDER:
Does poverty cause discrimination, discrimination cause poverty, or is there no relationship between the two?

IV. No Single Great Depression Experience:
1. very wealthy
2. Pre-Depression Poor:
3. Middle-class/young middle class:


V. Why Important?