Discussion Post: History of the United States
• What does "short narrative" mean? Well, for one thing, consider these to be essays, just short ones. But note that each is worth 25 points, which is quite a lot and you should take that as an indication of the effort you should invest. So "short" means don't go on and on but do write enough that you clearly explain what happened, why it happened, and what the significance or consequence was. Figure out the most important points to cover, get those in, and leave out the less important stuff as long as you're adequately explaining. That is, prioritize. "Narrative" means a cohesive, well-thought out written answer. It's not an outline, a list of bullet points, or a cryptic, acronym-filled text message.
• Brinkley refers to "globalization" in several places in the chapters for this exam. What does he mean by that term? Compare and contrast the positive and the negative aspects of globalization. That is, are there winners as well as losers in the globalization of the national economy? Give some specific examples.
• Ronald Reagan's first term began what has been called the "Reagan Revolution". Why? What was it a revolution against or about? What groups made up the Reagan coalition and defined his first term? What were some of the key features of his presidency? Why did the Reagan Revolution fade?
• In general, America was a prosperous and productive nation in the two decades after World War Two. That general impression glossed over what Michael Harrington called "The Other America". What did he mean? Discuss the conditions that defined this America that was so different from popular assumptions. Who was affected and how? Lyndon Johnson made the first large-scale, national in scope attempt to fix some of these problems. What was his program?
• Brinkley describes the 1950s and early 1960s as an Age of Affluence as illustrated by the term "consumer culture". Discuss some of the economic and social characteristics of this "golden age". Mention at least three specific examples of things that represented a consumer culture.
• Basing your comments on Dust Bowl, discuss the "dust bowl". What was the Dust Bowl and what area did it primarily affect? What caused it, according to Worster? Discuss some of the government's attempts to deal with this ecological and social disaster. Although the dust bowl years eventually ended, did Worster believe that such conditions might become permanent? If not, why not?
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.