Assignment: America as a Superpower
The previous assignments focused on domestic matters in U.S. history. This last assignment explores America's international role in recent decades. By the mid-20th century, the United States had become the dominant force in international relations. Some have argued that the United States' military functions as the world's "police." This assignment covers the manner in which this shift occurred and the consequences the United States faces as a result of its status as "policeman of the world." One can identify early steps this direction well before World War II, but in this paper focus on the period from the 1940s to the present. Examine the statement below and drawing from provided sources, present a paper with specific examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position.
NOTE: The word "policing" here has nothing to do with traditional law enforcement agencies. It is more about trying to manage parts of the globe-usually by use of military force or the threat of it. The aim of this management may be to maintain stability, remove threats of "rogue" forces or terrorists or weapons, prevent the expansion of autocratic rule, protect a fledgling democracy, etc.
BACKGROUND--The American international "policing" role developed because of the Cold War, but now terrorists or any power having or trying to get weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are the potential targets of such a role. Your paper will use specific examples-two from the Cold War years and two from the past two decades.
Choose one of these position statements (make it the last sentence of your introductory paragraph):
1. By examples from different decades since 1950, it is clear that the international policing role and strategy of the United States was once essential, but should now be discarded as ineffective and counterproductive.
2. By examples from different decades since 1950, it is clear that the international policing role and strategy of the United States during the Cold War has become even more necessary in this period of terrorism and instability.
In your paper, use specific examples-two from the Cold War years and two from the past two decades. After giving general consideration to your readings and your research, select one of the positions above as your position-your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and inquiry. Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally envisioned.) Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues with this FOUR-PART organization:
• The position you choose -or something close to it-will be the thesis statement in your opening paragraph.[Usually this is a one paragraph introduction with your thesis statement being the last sentence of the paragraph.]
• To support your position, use four specific examples from different decades between 1950 and the present. However, two examples must be from the Cold War years (before 1991) and the other two examples must be from the past twenty years.[Typically this takes two paragraphs. Stay focused on having specific examples that you support with citations.]
• Explain why the opposing view is weak in comparison to yours. [The opposing view would be the thesis statement you did NOT choose. You might start this by saying "someone will disagree with my thesis and will argue that ------." THEN-spend 3 or 4 sentences with your best reasoned argument why your thesis is stronger.]
• Consider your life today: In what way does the history you have shown shape or impact issues in your workplace or desired profession? (This might be unclear at first since it is foreign policy. But, super-power status does inevitably provide advantages in a global economy.) [This might be easy if you work in cyber security, criminal justice, IT, etc. You can consider the legal impact of terrorism on justice system, privacy issues, etc.). Even a Business must now plan accordingly. Every profession now must have security safeguards, plan what to do with data, etc. A few comments on these things for your profession-and some comments on how this impacts our lives in general.]
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
• Analyze the rise of the United States to a world "superpower" and how that status has shaped its internal developments in recent decades.
• Examine how changes in social and economic conditions and technology can cause corresponding changes in the attitudes of the people and policies of the government
• Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have influenced the direction of historical and social development in the United States.
• Recognize the major turning points in American history since the Civil War.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in contemporary U.S. history.
• Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S. history using proper writing mechanics.
Attachment:- Assignment-Instructions.rar