You will write a brief 1500-2000 word (6- to 8-page) research paper for this course, employing outside secondary sources.
Topics
In what ways was Reconstruction viewed as a failure in the media?
Why did American workers form labor unions?
How did westward expansion after the Civil War change the lives of American Indians?
What difficulties did farmers face in the late 19th century, and how did the Populist Party respond to their concerns?
Why did the United States declare war against Spain in 1898?
Why were Progressives concerned about the trusts?
Why did the United States reject membership in the League of Nations?
What opportunities did aviation provide during the 1920s?
In what ways did Americans react to changes in American society in the years after World War I?
How did the Great Depression affect the American people?
How did African Americans secure economic opportunity during World War II?
How did the Truman Doctrine establish a dangerous precedent?
How did white southerners respond to school desegregation in the 1950s?
Why did the United States become involved in the Vietnam conflict?
How did the early civil rights movement and the youth revolt influence other protest movements?
What priorities for his presidency did Reagan outline during his inaugural address?
How did the 1994 Republican takeover of congress influence President Clinton’s second term?
Formatting
All of your papers should be double-spaced in ten- or twelve-point type. Your papers should be carefully composed, well-organized, and proofread. You will lose points for excessive grammar and spelling errors.
You must include endnotes or footnotes and a bibliography, both in the Chicago style. I realize that many of you are not familiar with this citation style. However, it is standard in history and I require that you use it—you will lose points from your essay if you do not.