Compare the way in which we elect Presidents in our current system to the proposal of the National Popular Vote movement. Which method is superior?

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Lesson Six Writing Assignment:

The U.S. Constitution stipulates that Electors will vote for the office of President and Vice President, what we commonly refer to as the Electoral College. Two times in the 21st century the candidate with the most popular votes across the United States has not won the most votes in the Electoral College, hence losing the election. Some activists and scholars are arguing that a democratic system of government requires that majority rules; therefore, the candidate for President who receives the most popular votes should win the election. Further, there is a proposal to bypass the Electoral College without having to amend the Constitution (which is basically impossible).

Explore the strategy of the National Popular Vote movement at this website: www.nationalpopularvote.com.

Compare the way in which we elect Presidents in our current system to the proposal of the National Popular Vote movement. Which method is superior? Explain your answer.

Hunt raises the point that human rights are claimed to be “self-evident.” But if this were the case, why must they be declared? How does she address this paradox? Do you accept her thesis that the concept of human rights developed only in the 18th century in Europe and North America? Why or why not?

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Inventing Human Rights

You will write a formal essay of 1,250-1,500 words of text, (not including title pages, works cited, etc.).
The essay is worth up to 10 course points.
This is a formal writing assignment. Unlike the discussions and website summaries, you will submit it privately to me. I do, of course, encourage you to discuss these issues in module discussions as you are reading the assigned chapters of Lynn Hunt’s book Inventing Human Rights: A History.
Your essay will be based on Hunt’s book Inventing Human Rights. It must show strong evidence in the body of the text that you have read and thought about the book.
You may of course consult other sources. Be sure to cite any other materials which you use in a comprehensive bibliography. I expect that your work will be a polished essay, not a first draft, reflecting the time you will have for analysis.
The concept of universal human rights has been key to much of the political conflict in the world since the 18th century. The concept of human rights was fundamental to both the American Declaration of Indepence of 1776 and Bill of Rights of 1791 and the French Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen of 1789 as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
Lynn Hunt asks the question of why human rights conceived of as natural, equal and universal appeared for the first time at the end of the 18th century? How does Hunt answer her own question?
Hunt raises the point that human rights are claimed to be “self-evident.” But if this were the case, why must they be declared? How does she address this paradox?
More than a century and a half passed between the 18th century declarations and the adoption of the Universal Declaration in 1948. How does Hunt explain this long break?
Do you accept her thesis that the concept of human rights developed only in the 18th century in Europe and North America? Why or why not?
In her last sentences Hunt claims that “…you know the meaning of human rights because you feel distressed when they are violated.” Do you think this is true in contemporary America in which government torture and extra-judicial executions by drone may be condoned?
Be sure to include specific examples and quotes from the text to illustrate and support your points in this essay.

Why did Wilson argue for “peace without victory”? Do you agree or disagree with his view? Why? Why do you think Wilson failed in his fight for the U.S. to join the League of Nations?

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Wilson argue for “peace without victory”

1. Why did Wilson argue for “peace without victory”? Do you agree or disagree with his view? Why?

2. Why do you think Wilson failed in his fight for the U.S. to join the League of Nations?

3. Do you think President George W. Bush was a “Wilsonian”? Use evidence from the article to support your answer

. 4. Do you think U.S. officials should be concerned with human rights abuses in other countries? Explain.

Explain how WWII served to bring the United States out of the economic distress known as The Great Depression.

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The Great Depression.

Explain how WWII served to bring the United States out of the economic distress known as The Great Depression.

For full credit, answers must be written at a college level and in your own words. Do not simply copy the textbook. Be sure to answer the question completely.
The response to each midterm exam prompt needs to be no less than 750 words in length or about 2.5 pages in 12 point font. Use a readable font in 12 point size, double spaced with 1 inch margins.
Be sure to include MLA style in-text OR footnote citations but not both.
Students should be able to complete this essay using the texts required for this class. However, if outside sources are used, be sure they are appropriate scholarly sources. Avoid websites like wikipedia, history.com, etc.
Include a works cited.
Include an accurate word count at the end of the essay that does NOT include footnotes or works cited.
Students should be sure their name is typed on the top line of the assignment not just as the file name.
Each paper is worth 250 points.

Which of those three documents – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, or the Bill of Rights – has most influenced America?

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Cite in Chicago format.

The prompt is: Which of those three documents – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, or the Bill of Rights – has most influenced America? Argue in favor of the Constitution. I ask that you please keep vocabulary and wording to a high school – moderate level. If you’re wondering what that would look like, just send me an example and I can let you know. Please be specific about everything and come up with a strong thesis statement. I have included the writing rubric down below in 2 pictures. Try to use a few footnotes per page and only in the body paragraphs.

What does Roosevelt mean by the difference between the definition of liberty that has existed in the past and his own “broader definition of liberty?” According to Steinbeck, how do Depression era migrant workers differ from those in earlier periods?

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The New Deal

Write a 2-3 page paper in which you analyze the primary sources from Chapter 21, “The New Deal, 1932-1940. Analyze your sources by placing them in the historical context of their time period. Discuss what was going on at that time that each source was written. Give examples from the chapter and the power point Discuss what was going on at the time that each source was written. Give examples from the chapter and the power point of what was going on at the time. Discuss how the source is connected to what was happening. Why do you think these sources were written? Be specific in your discussion and choose a quote or two from each source for greater support. Use the questions that Eric Foner includes with each set of sources to help focus your discussion. Chapter 21 sources:

Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Fireside Chat” (1934), and John Steinbeck, “The Harvest Gypsies: On The Road To The Grapes Of Wrath “(1938).

Foner questions for chapter 21:

What does Roosevelt mean by the difference between the definition of liberty that has existed in the past and his own “broader definition of liberty?”
According to Steinbeck, how do Depression era migrant workers differ from those in earlier periods?
Do the migrant workers described by Steinbeck enjoy liberty as Roosevelt understands it?

Write an essay in which you analyze the key economic, social, political, and cultural changes in the U.S. since 1939. How is this “new” America different from the nation you left behind?

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Final Paper

You’re an American living in the year 1939. Suddenly, you’re abducted by aliens and transported forward in time to the year 2021. Write an essay in which you analyze the key economic, social, political, and cultural changes in the U.S . since 1939. How is this “new” America different from the nation you left behind? Try to focus on the big picture — major changes, not trivia.

Write an essay about Wiley Austin Branton’s accomplishments and his Franternity .

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Wiley Austin Branton

Essay about Wiley Austin Branton’s accomplishments and his Franternity; Omega Psi Phi.

Explain how WWII served to bring the United States out of the economic distress known as The Great Depression.

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The Great Depression.

Explain how WWII served to bring the United States out of the economic distress known as The Great Depression.

For full credit, answers must be written at a college level and in your own words. Do not simply copy the textbook. Be sure to answer the question completely.

What does the document reveal about life at the time it was written? Aim for two or three observations and use specific evidence from the document.

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The Question:

What does the document reveal about life at the time it was written? Aim for two or three observations and use specific evidence from the document.

Primary Source
“‘No Negroes Allowed’: Segregation at the Front in World War I http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5330