Who was John Brown?
What was the Emancipation Proclamation ?
What was the difference between the North and the South at the beginning of the Civil War?
Write an essay on one of the following topics (no more than two pages long). Essays should be completed at home and brought to class next week.
1. Chapters 2 and 9 speak of slavery and resistance. Give an overview of how Black People were treated In the U.S. from their arrival until 1900. What evidence is there of resistance ? How was the treatment of Black People justified? What were the consequences for Black People ? For White People? Why does Howard Zinn say there was emancipation without freedom? How are African Americans faring in the U.S. today?
2. Choose one chapter from Zinn's book (except Chapter 1). Tell the main points from the Chapter and write what you think about Zinn's ideas?
3. What is Socialism? What are the pros and cons on choosing a Socialist Society? Would we be better off with a Socialist society? Why don't we have one?
4. Howard Zinn calls the Revolution of 1776 "half a Revolution." Why was it half a revolution? What would have made it a full Revolution? Do we need a Revolution today? What would make a non-violent revolution today?
5. Trattner entitles chapter 10 "Renaissance of Public Welfare." What does he mean? What were arguments against creating public welfare programs? Are these arguments still with us today? Why should we have Social welfare programs paid for by the state?