Nationalism vs. Freedom

Read this linked article on Barack Obama and make some comments on whether you think his ideology and policies are more reflective of Roosevelt's New Nationalism or Woodrow Wilson's New Freedom

American Imperialism

Historians have looked at the imperialist era (McKinley - Wilson) in different lights.

1. This age is a blooper in foreign policy whereby America made several poor choices at a time of misled passion.

2. This is an age that continues and develops the previous eras. This is just Manifest Destiny dressed up in a new outfit.

Which do you think is more accurate?

Yellow Journalism

Does media have a strong impact on public opinion today? Do the people dominate the media or vice versa. Has this tendency changed since the days of Pulitzer and Hearst?

I Have a Dream

In light of King Day take a moment to look at some sections of Dr. King's famous speech "I have a dream...". If you've never seen it in its entirety do yourself the favor.

React to this post by perhaps assessing the extent to which you believe the dream has been both deferred (Langston Hughes) or realized in 2009.

Consider what we've covered for race relations in America and anticipate what we'll see into and beyond the 1960's.

Events

What are the top five momentous events in US History so far? Why? What would be different if they never happened or if the outcome was different?

America the Beautiful

Some say that the US has been the most blessed nation in the world. What can we account for these blessings? Are we lucky? Did we have good leaders? Was it in our control or was it destiny?

Top Presidents

What do you think are the top five presidents we have studied thus far? Who are the worst and why?