Required Articles
Republicans view Reagan, Trump as best recent presidents
2. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/09/16/is-the-us-headed-for-another-civil-war/
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/america-civil-war-prophecies/620850/
https://www.deseret.com/2021/7/5/22557956/perspective-the-crisis-of-two-constitutions-liberal-progressive-conservative-political-conflict
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/is-a-civil-war-ahead?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Daily_Variant_010622&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&utm_term=tny_daily_digest&bxid=5be9fd863f92a40469397106&cndid=51416599&hasha=b503672e14d5ec1ffc475cc662b9afb8&hashb=f3b2f2a65e96248d4bd8acc4d1b60980ff2d361d&hashc=e089e4783c05246d50c94d6535ac15b0c99c90f019b9f0f9ad016ecfce5b6c10&esrc=bounceX&mbid=CRMNYR012019
Your Directions:
Answer ONE of the questions below in 4 to 5 pages, typed and double-spaced with 10 or 12-point type. Please don’t go much over the 5 page length. Use normal margins and be sure to spell-check and proofread your essay. AGAIN, please put your name on your paper.
Really, really, really important directions:
1. Really Important Rule #One:
Be sure that your essay is original to you, and that you’ve provided appropriate citations when necessary.
2. Really Important Rule # Two:
Finally — you CANNOT use material beyond those assigned for this course. Any essay which does will receive a one-letter grade reduction. (The reason for this is to focus you on our readings and making an argument. It should also prevent any time-consuming searches for an answer on the web.)
The Questions: Choose ONE
1. As we enter the year 2022, some scholars and analysts worry openly about the increasing prospects for a civil war in our deeply divided nation. What light or insights can we apply to that possibility from our study of U.S. history since 1945? You can approach this question in a number of ways – for example, that history illustrates that we stick together despite difference, or that history reveals divisions that are not easily reconciled. Be sure that your essay has a clear thesis and that you substantiate that thesis with historical evidence from 1945 to the present.
2. President Abraham Lincoln called for the nation to become one “of the people, by the people.” If we consider events and policies since 1980, how well have we done as a nation in achieving that? Again, make sure that your essay has a clear thesis and that you substantiate that thesis with historical evidence from 1945 to the present. (Remember that you cannot use material you’ve already submitted for a grade.)
3. Pew Research recently conducted a poll asking Republicans and Democrats to name the best president of the past 40 years. Democrats picked President Obama, and Republicans were split between President Reagan (42%) and President Trump (37%.) Putting aside whether you agree or disagree with those choices, think about what qualities we as voters should look for in our leader. If we consider presidents from Truman to Biden, what characteristics or qualities emerge as key for effective leadership? Give examples and be sure your essay has a thesis and historical evidence!
4. Write an essay confirming or rejecting this premise: Young Americans can be optimistic about their future. Your essay should make an argument using historical evidence drawn from the period 1945 to the present.
Keep Reading!
Citation Format:
You may use EITHER Chicago Style or Modern Language Association (MLA)
Historians use the Chicago Style for citations, and our department requires all students taking History courses to try to use it as well. You’ll find guidelines under “Course Resources,” but here are a few essentials:
Grading criteria:
1. Essay has a clear thesis.
2. Historical facts and information are used to support this thesis.
3. Essay shows evidence of an understanding of the historical changes of the period between 1945 to the present.
4. Statements are not vague and general.
5. Citations are in the Chicago or MLA format style.
6. Essay is completed on time.
7. Essay contains no significant errors of spelling, punctuation or grammar.
