Essay questions about the 1920-1970 in American history
Essay questions about the 1920-1970 in American history
The second portion of the test will be one essay.You will be asked to answer one of the following three essay questions in class.The professor will decide on the day of the examination which question will be asked, so prepare for all three equally.The essay will be worth 70 points or 70% of your grade.
1.Despite the destruction of slavery at the end of the Civil War, America continued to face the difficult challenge of securing civil, political, and economic rights for all Americans.The struggle for civil rights and economic equality grew in the years following the Great Depression.What changes occurred in the United States from 1929 onward that strengthened the struggle for civil and economic rights in the United States?What groups became most prominent in the struggle for civil rights in the postwar period?How did they frame their issues and seek to support for their causes?What tactics did they use to push their agendas?Finally, how successful have the groups you choose been at securing the types of equity for which they strove?How did these goals come together with the goals of the other groups that you have discussed?Be sure to examine the key documents and events that marked their programs as well as successes and failures.
2.Throughout this course we have witnessed the emergence of progressive coalitions that challenged the status quo and sought to increase the government’s role in protecting its citizens.Compare the progressive coalition that emerged in the 1930s with that which emerged in the 1960s.What groups belonged to these coalitions?What were their goals and agendas in supporting Roosevelt’s New Deal and Johnson’s Great Society?How successful were their efforts?What were some of the specific programs in each period and how did they connect?How similar were the philosophies driving the programs and what were the differences?How did the specific programs you examined affect American society at the time?What specific long lasting impact did they have on American society?
3.Michael Harrington’s The Other America challenged Americans to recognize poverty in the United States and take action to end it.Review Harrington’s arguments and evidence about poverty and examine three responses to Harrington’s ideas that emerged in Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society.Be sure to be specific about the three areas that you have chosen and the specific legislative efforts that were made in response to each area.Do the responses of the Great Society policies meet the call of Harrington?If they were insufficient, explain how and why.If they were successful or sufficient, be sure to present evidence of their sufficiency or success.
These are three essay questions going to be in the exam. I want at least two paragraph length for each one of them
You can use the following books as a sources.
1.Give me Liberty by Eric Foner Seagull Fourth edition.
2.The other America by Michael Harrington 50th Anniversary edition.
