The World on the Brink

Robert Kennedy at an Executive Committee meeting during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Photo: The National Security Archive.

Visit the JFK Library's online exhibit of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Listen to meetings with President Kennedy and his advisors, read official documents and private correspondence. Considering the early Cold War documents discussed in class (the Truman Doctrine, the Kennan "Long Telegram" and NSC-68), as well as the Berlin Airlift, the Marshall Plan and the Korean War, to what degree do the events of the thirteen day crisis reflect the ideology of the early Cold War?

This post will be available for comments until Thursday, November 19.

World War II

Why does Eric Foner conclude that World War II ends with "Peace but not Harmony?" What does he mean?

This post will be available for comments until Monday, November 16.

The New Deal and Civil Rights

Woodcut from Voices of Action, February 12, 1935. From The Great Depression in Washington State

Despite the significant limitations of the New Deal, it transformed American society in several ways. Read this article on the impact of the Great Depression and the New Deal on minority populations in Washington State. What is the relationship between civil rights and the New Deal, as described in the article?

This post will be available for comments until Monday, November 9.

The Great Depression and the New Deal

Bank run at American Union Bank in New York City. Photo from wikipedia

How do you think the relationship between American citizens and the government changed as a result of the Great Depression?

Feel free to use the documents discussed in class (and others that you find interesting) to help make your point.

Links from class: Fireside chats
                            Eleanor Roosevelt Papers

This post will be available until Thursday, November 5.

Americanism and the 1920s

Warren G. Harding, recording a speech. Photo: The Miller Center, University of Virginia

Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio gave a speech in January, 1920 in which he discussed the idea of "Americanism."* How did Harding define “Americanism”? Did the events of the 1920s challenge or confirm Harding’s definition/interpretation of Americanism?

* Go to the StudySpace section of the Give Me Liberty! website for a downloadable version of Harding's speech, as well as a transcript. The Harding speech is under the "Audio and Video Sources" link on the left sidebar.

This post will be available for comments until Monday, November 2.