The World War I Home Front

Discussion Topic

Although combat in World War I took place far away in Europe, the war had a tremendous impact on American society. In this discussion, you'll look at how the war affected the American home front.

As you answer the questions, think about the effect the war had on the following:

• Government regulation of industry
• Government regulation of information/propaganda
• Job opportunities for African Americans and women
• The nation's demographics, especially regarding European immigrants, Mexicans, and African Americans
• Government action regarding organized labor
• Restriction of civil liberties
• Racial tensions

Post at least two responses to the following questions and/or to another student's comments:

• Which of the items listed above were most affected by the war. Which were least affected? Why?
• Did World War I create new issues and prejudices regarding minority groups, or did it just bring existing tensions closer to the surface?
• Did the need to win the war justify all the government's actions?
• How did the effects of this war compare to those of the Civil War?

Required Reading

Before you enter the discussion, be sure to read the related pages in your textbook. If you're using Tindall and Shi, see:

8th Edition	7th Edition	6th Edition	5th Edition
Chapter 25, pages 996-1003, 989-1019	Chapter 25, pages 944-950, 963-966	Chapter 25, pages 1023-1029, 1044-1047	Chapter 25, pages 1134-1142, 1158-1161

Scoring

This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first post. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.

Understanding Imperialist Motives

Discussion Topic

What motivated the U.S. to become an imperial power in the late-nineteenth century? In this discussion, we'll analyze some of the different reasons behind America's actions overseas.

Consider the following motives for U.S. economic and geographic imperialism:

• Desire to compete with European powers
• National security (expanding the military)
• Gaining new markets for U.S. exports
• Racism/paternalism
• Desire to improve the political and economic conditions of people throughout the world
• Spreading religion

Keeping these motives in mind, post at least two responses to one or more of the questions below or to another student's comments. Use specific examples to support your answers.

• Are there any other motives you'd add to this list?
• Which motives seem most and least justifiable? Why?
• How did U.S. imperialism compare with the imperialism of European nations?
• Do any of these ideas still drive U.S. foreign policy today?

Required Reading

Before you enter the discussion, be sure to read the related pages in your textbook. If you're using Tindall and Shi, see:

8th Edition	7th Edition	6th Edition	5th Edition
Chapter 23, pages 905-911, 919-937	Chapter 23, pages 859-865, 872-888	Chapter 23, pages 933-939, 947-965	Chapter 23, pages 1035-42, 1052-70

Scoring

This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first post. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.

Corruption in Politics

Discussion Topic

In the late-nineteenth century, Americans began to focus on government corruption. As the press exposed more and more scandals, the public demanded reforms to the political system.

In your first posting, write about one of the following issues that concerned Gilded Age reformers:

• The power of big business over government
• Civil service
• The campaign of 1884

Write about why the issue received so much attention, and whether you think it was a major problem.

As you read other students' responses, respond to one or more of these questions in your follow-up posting(s):

• Is there more or less corruption now than there was in the Gilded Age? Does today's corruption differ from the corruption in the Gilded Age? Explain.
• Are there fewer or more political scandals today than in the Gilded Age? Do they receive more or less attention? Why?
• Did the press go too far in exposing scandals in the Gilded Age, or not far enough? Does today's press use greater or less restraint?

Required Reading

Before you enter the discussion, be sure to read the related pages in your textbook. If you're using Tindall and Shi, see:

8th Edition	7th Edition	6th Edition	5th Edition
Chapter 22, pages 865-880	Chapter 22, pages 820-838	Chapter 22, pages 892-911	Chapter 22, pages 990-1012

Scoring

This discussion is worth a maximum of 15 points. You'll get 10 points for your first post. Your instructor will give you another 5 points if you post a follow-up comment or question that furthers the discussion.

CR vs LR

Based on what we did together in class. explain the correlation between Conservative reaction and Liberal Reform.
requirements are as follows:
Use factual data to support your belief and opinion.
You must respond to a post of someone in your class, preferrably someone you do not agree with.
ALL responses from now on will be graded using this rubric.

	5	4	3	2
content	outstanding understanding of content by referencing atleast 2 outside sources in addition to the reading	svery good understanding of content by referencing atleast 1 outside sources in addition to the readings	above average understanding of content by referencing all details from reading	average understanding of content by referencing most details from the reading
details	Has atleast 5 details supporting opinion	Has atleast 4 details supporting opinion	Has atleast 3 details supporting opinion	Has atleast 2 details supporting opinion
analysis	outstanding ability to breakdown the impact of events on other historical timeperiods	very good ability to breakdown the impact of events on other historical timeperiods	above average ability to breakdown the impact of events on other historical timeperiods	average ability to breakdown the impact of events on other historical timeperiods
organization	post is laid out in a clear and concise manner with a logical sequence of ideas	post is generally clear with a logical sequence of ideas	post is understandable with ideas a little out of sequence	post is unclear