US History II: Research project
Impact on America
Name
For your US History II research project, you will be choosing 1 person from American History during
the time period we have been discussing in class (1890s-Present Day). You have been given a list with
possible choices. Your assignment is to research about this person that you have chosen. You must provide
background on this figure, and explain two ways this person significantly impacted American History. You will
then need to explain why and how these impacts are important.
In addition to a short paper, you will also be creating 10 specific interview questions pertaining to your
person and include answers from their perspective. Also included in your final assignment will be a title page
and works cited page.
Directions for your assignment:
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All work must be completed in 12 point Times New Roman font with one in margins on all sides, double
spaced.
You must include a title page (see attached example)
You need to include a works cited page with a minimum of three sources. One source must be a book.
(Easybib.com) – see attached example
Your final paper should be 2 pages in length with an additional attached page for your interview
questions. As stated previously, you must also include a title page and a works cited page. See
attached examples.
You may NOT use Wikipedia as a source
Any part(s) of a paper that are plagiarized will be given a 0 and reported to the appropriate house
office.
o Plagiarism – the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another
author and using them as one's own original work
You will be provided ample library time to work on your project however, in order to have a substantial
project, work will need to be completed outside of class
If student is absent on final due date of assignment, student must have an excused absence or 10%
will be deducted from paper
Due dates:
Last date for selection of person: 2/6/14
List of 3 sources to be used: 2/14/14
Interview: 2/28/14
Body Paragraphs: 3/7/14
Final Paper Due: 3/14/14
Name_________________________________________________ Date______________________________
2014 Fantasy Figures Draft
Directions: From the list below select three people that you feel you would like to complete your research
paper on. Your assignment is to do a quick search for some of the names on this list that interest you and come
up with a top 10 that you would like to draft.
We will be selecting our topics through a random draft format. Having five options will be key in case one of
your topics is taken.
Historical Figures
Presidents
World War II
1. Theodore Roosevelt
1. Albert Einstein
2. Woodrow Wilson
2. J. Robert Oppenheimer
3. Dwight Eisenhower
3. Douglas MacArthur
4. Harry Truman
4. George Patton
5. Richard Nixon
5. Anne Frank
6. John F. Kennedy
6. Winston Churchill
Roaring Twenties
Fifties
1. Langston Hughes
1. Little Richard
2. Lou Gehrig
2. Elvis Presley
3. Jack Dempsey
3. James Dean
4. Charles Lindbergh
4. Charlton Heston
5. Charlie Chaplin
5. Marilyn Monroe
6. Al Capone
6. Chuck Berry
Progressives
Civil Rights
1. Upton Sinclair
1. Malcolm X
2. Jacob A. Riis
2. Martin Luther King, Jr.
3. Lincoln Steffens
3. George Wallace
4. Ida. M. Tarbell
4. Jackie Robinson
5. David G. Phillips
5. Rosa Parks
6. William Jennings-Bryan
6. Emmitt Till
Fear of Communism
Prominent Women
1. Hollywood Ten
1. Amelia Earhart
2. Paul Robeson
2. Clara Bow
3. Ethel & Julius Rosenberg
3. Alice Paul
4. Alger Hiss
4. Margaret Sanger
5. Joseph McCarthy
5. Eleanor Roosevelt
6. Edward R. Murrow
6. Rachel Carson
Top 5 – Draft Chart
1. ____________________________
6. ____________________________
2. ____________________________
7. ____________________________
3. ____________________________
8. ____________________________
4. ____________________________
9. ____________________________
5. ____________________________
10. ____________________________
Sample interview questions: Andrew Jackson
You must complete 10 interview questions and answers
1. How has your administration dealt with Indians?
a. I don’t like Indians. I never have. When I was in the army, I fought in the Creek War and the
Seminole Wars against the Indians – I showed them. And America belongs to the common man
– those Indians can find their own land out in the Oklahoma territory. They can call it the Trail
of Tears if they want – I just want them out. America doesn’t need that land for now but if we
do – we should move those Indians again and take it. I don’t care what the Supreme Court says
about it.
2. Why did you form a kitchen cabinet?
a. I don’t trust these insider Washingtonians. I want to be surrounded by my friends – people
whom I trust. I don’t care if my regular cabinet doesn’t like them – I will do what I want.
3. What do you think of John C. Calhoun?
a. I hate him! He used to be my vice president but then he betrayed me and I never forgive
someone who betrayed me. He argued that South Carolina should secede from the union
because they didn’t like what they called the “tariff of abominations.” They have to know that I
am the president and they will listen to me! I showed him and South Carolina – they didn’t
secede because of my threats!
4. What do you think about people who accuse you of being a king?
a. I don’t really care what people think of me. I am here for the common man and that is who I
care about. Everything I do and all bills I sign are intended to benefit him. I also know that my
way is correct – I don’t agree with compromise, it makes someone look weak and I am not weak.
5. Why did you kill the second bank of the United States?
a. What do you mean?! That bank tried to kill me. Nicholas Biddle and the rest of those fancy
Northerners want the bank to maintain their monopoly on wealth. I think that everyone,
especially my common men, should have a chance at wealth. The bank was becoming too
powerful for my liking so I destroyed it.
6. How do you feel about your wife Rachel being called a bigamist?
a. I will challenge any man to a duel who calls her that! I have before and I have the scars to prove
it. She was my beloved wife and I have been devastated since she died. It is all because my
cabinet members’ wives were talking about her and refused to be nice to her. She was
heartbroken and died – and I will never forgive those men.
7. Why did you extend suffrage to men who don’t own land?
a. I didn’t own land growing up and it doesn’t make me less American. All white males should
have the right to vote to determine the course of the country. If we just let the rich vote – they
will only vote for items that benefit themselves, not the common man. This is why it is
important to extend suffrage – and besides the men that I extended suffrage to will vote for me!
But I don’t think that women, Indians or slaves should ever have the right to vote.
8. What do you think about your nickname ‘Old Hickory’?
a. I think it describes me well. I am stubborn and I don’t want to compromise – you can see that in
my dealings with the national bank and the wealthy elites. I am like an old tree – I will stand and
it is hard to knock me down. Maybe someday, someone will come along like me and they can
call him ‘Young Hickory’.
John Smith
Andrew Jackson
Waltham High School
2012
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and one of its most
controversial. While many approved of Andrew Jackson’s presidency, such as the common man,
many others, such as Native Americans and the wealthy, disapproved of the way they were
treated by Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson and his policies had a great impact on the history
of the United States. One impact was Jackson ignoring the Supreme Court and forcing Native
Americans to move off of their land. Another impact Andrew Jackson had on United States
history was giving the common man power. Both of these events helped shape the United States
and show how Andrew Jackson impacted United States history.
Andrew Jackson joined the military young and came up through the ranks. He served as
a courier in the Revolutionary War and fought in the War of 1812 and the Creek and Seminole
Indian Wars (Remini, 42). It was in these wars that Andrew Jackson first showed his hatred of
Indians. He was so fierce in battle that the Seminoles nicknamed him “Sharp knife”
(Whitehouse.gov). After he became President, Jackson ignored the Supreme Court ruling that
stated the Cherokee Indians should not be removed from their land in Georgia and instead
enforced the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which later became known as the Trail of Tears.
During Jackson’s presidency, more than 45,000 Native Americans were relocated west. The
Indian Removal lead to a destruction of Native American culture and homelands, which were
then given to white settlers. This time period in American History is remembered as one of the
most difficult and brutal for Native Americans and has left a stain on Andrew Jackson’s legacy.
Another impact that Jackson had, which is regarded more positively than his treatment of
the Native Americans, was his treatment to the ‘common man’ or, to white men who did not own
land. Before the 1820s only men who owned property could vote which meant that only a small
part of the population was making decisions for the rest. The politicians and the decisions they
made usually reflected favoritism for the wealthy. Jackson knew that this new voting group
could make a big difference during elections and he ran on a platform stating that he would help
the common man. Jackson won the presidential election of 1828 due in large part to support
from the common man (TheHermitage.com). Jackson even allowed the ‘common man’ to attend
his inaugural celebration, where they proceeded to destroy the White House. Throughout
Jackson’s presidency he vowed to strike down any laws that didn’t favor the common man and
used his Jacksonian Veto to do so. Jackson’s pandering towards the common man is reflected
today by politicians who seek to ingratiate themselves with middle class, average American
voters and distance themselves from the wealthy.
Andrew Jackson served as president from 1829 – 1837. During that time his iron will
created a new type of democracy and government for the United States. While Andrew
Jackson’s past has been stained because of his enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830
and his treatment of Native Americans, others remember Jackson as a hero for his defense and
support of the common man. Jackson continues to be a very polarizing figure in American
political history. He has both supporters and detractors. It cannot be denied that no matter what
one thinks of Jackson’s actions and politics, he did have a tremendous impact on United States
history.
Works Cited
"Andrew Jackson." The White House. Web. 22 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/andrewjackson>.
"The Hermitage - Home of President Andrew Jackson." The Jackson Family. 2011. Web. 22
Mar. 2012. <http://www.thehermitage.com/jackson-family/>.
Remini, Robert Vincent. The Age of Jackson. Columbia: University of South Carolina, 1972.
Print.