Topic #1: Explain how the last sixty years of American history have
shaped the present-day United States.
Intro: Abraham Lincoln once said, “ the best way to predict your future
is to create it”
Thesis: The last 60 years have defined the America of today. Historic
actions taken and hurdles overcome through policy changes and social
movements have chronological counterparts in the modern day.
Current “cultural” and political leaders are going through scenarios,
which can be directly linked, to the actions taken by their older peers
and predecessors. Social revolutions like the civil rights movements
have directly impacted the protests we see today from groups like
“Black Lives Matter.” Increased migration from South America,
specifically North Triangle countries, during the early and late-80s is
bearing proverbial fruit in the immigration debates happening today.
Turning on the news today, you will likely hear stories covered of the
“new” “culture war,” however; this term and the actions taken by the
participants are entombed by examples throughout history. The phrase
“history repeats itself,” is true for modern-day America, even though
current “cultural warriors” on both sides of the political spectrum may
believe they are first to tackle these issues.
Paragraph1: civil rights movements and how it relates to modern day
protests for fair and equal treatment of African Americans. Black Lives
matter groups are asking for police reform because of growing rates of
police brutality.
Paragraph2: Deportation laws then were not as strict, and now they are
stricter allowing immigrants into the country.
Paragraph3: culture wars in the past examples like abortion or gay
marriage.
Topic #2: In 1941, publisher Henry Luce said the twentieth century
would be remembered as the “American century.” Argue how the
history of the United States between the end of World War II and the
early 1960s justifies or refutes Henry Luce’s argument. How would you
summarize this period of American history?
Intro: Abraham Lincoln once said, “ the best way to predict your future
is to create it”
Thesis: Henry Luce’s statement the twentieth century would be
remembered, as the “American Century” was very accurate. In the years
following WWII the United States developed considerable influence
over the world, both socially and economically. The United States,
which was previously holding an isolationist perspective, was forced to
take action in WWII as it became abundantly clear that the result of the
second Great War would impact the future of the United States, even
with it not directly impacting us as the time. As we got involved, our
influence exponentially grew, on science (creation of the atom bomb, on
economics (the Truman Doctrine), and on social issues (Nixon’s
American Standard on Living). The term “American Century,” in my
opinion, is fitting for this time as we saw more and more how U.S.
actions created ripple effects for the future. If the U.S. decided not to
create the atom bomb through the Manhattan Project, would we see the
current nuclear arms race we have today? If the U.S. did not invest in
the rebuilding of Europe, would we see the democratic societies in
which we actively trade with today? If the U.S. did not push our
“standard of living” to combat the Russians, would we see the influence
our companies and culture have over the world today? The answer to
these questions, in my opinion, is “no.” Some of these influences,
defined by the “American Century,” has created non-questionable
positive externalities, however, it is equally important to note the
negative externalities produced by the influence of the United States.
Parargraph1: Dwight d Eisenhower fights for the removal of the Atom
bomb which the united states was the first to build and use. The
proposal is ineffective but other countries soon develop their own
which is what Eisenhower was afraid of.
Paragraph 2: The newer technology that America had to offer in their
exhibition was a display of the power that capitalism had on innovation
and industrialism.
Paragraph3: The Truman doctrine was established so that the US could
help European countries rebuild without being subjected to communist
influence. This is significant because the US was able to build these
countries back up in the image of the United States.