Primary Source Document Response Assignment

Students will complete only one (1) of the following written assignments during the term.



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gov't action                                                             self help

Topic Question #1
The plight and struggle of African Americans has been both a unique, individual experience and a group, collective experience. Comparing the Chapter 21 primary source documents 21-5, -6, -7, can you find any areas of agreement? Moreover, concerning requests for either official government action or self-help within the African American community, on which side of the spectrum do these documents fall?

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liberal                                                              conservative

Topic Question #2
The differing characteristics of our modern Republican and Democratic political parties arose, in great part, out of their historic response to the Great Depression. Read the Chapter 24 primary source documents 24-3 and 24-7. What are the greatest underlying philosophical differences between the two concerning the needs of Americans? Historically, how liberal or conservative (spectrum) should each be/have been considered?


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pro Communist                                          anti Communist

Topic Question #3
In our post-WWII, Cold War world, being anti-Communist was a political, economic, social, and even personal necessity for many Americans. Using your knowledge of the war and its aftermath in Chapter 26 of your text, compare the primary source documents 26-1, -3, and -7. What are the different views proposed and/or taken by the nation's leaders concerning "being anti-Communist". Where, on the spectrum, do you place them?


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liberal                                                              conservative

Topic Question #4
The long history of Civil Rights in the United States is a complicated story. From the 1950's to the 1970's, division and change within the movement itself occurred. Read the Chapter 28 primary source documents 28-5 and 28-10. What are the greatest differences between these two leaders, both of whom promoted the extension of civil rights to African-Americans. How liberal or conservative (spectrum) should each be considered?