American History Homework Thirteen Answers - Model

Lecture - Questions - Student Answers

1. What is your favorite period of time in American history, and why?

2. Contrast President Ronald Reagan with President Bill Clinton.

3. What would you say is the most important trend or trends guiding American history?

If by trend you mean something popular throughout the American citizens, then I think that smoking had a part to play in where we are now. Think about it; Children halfway across the world, who's names we don't even know, are being forced to roll cigarettes. The cigarettes are shipped here, people buy so many of them that it could hurt the economy, people get lung cancer, heart problems, blood clots, and people die because of little 4 inch long sticks. I definitely think that smoking was an important trend leading up to where we are now. (Jessie H.)

4. What is the most important threat to the future of America? Cite history to support your view.

5. Do you see a connection between culture and success for a nation? Give an example from history (e.g., period of time) to support your view.

6. Describe two of the greatest achievements of Ronald Reagan.

I think that one of Reagan's greatest achievements was his Reaganomics. His economics brought prosperity to America, which is (of course) a good thing! Also, his speech at the Berlin wall. He knew that some people would think his silly and childish for the line, "tear down this wall," however, the wall was torn down a few years later and Reagen is credited with ending communism in Eastern Europe. (Bethany S.)

7. Explain during which century you think this map was drawn, and comment how America's achievements may have met or exceeded the expectations of the cartographer or other people of his time.

This map was probably drawn in the first half of the 1500s. The cartographer seems to envision “Die Nuw Welt” as little more than wilderness and, in South America, cannibals it would seem. He also got the details of the shapes wrong, as they are only approximate. The prevailing viewpoint at this time was that the New World was an uncivilized savage land, whereas Europe was refined and cultured. But it was exactly the opposite of this “Gentleman” culture which built up America into the hard-working, rich, powerful- and yes, civilized- nation we are today. We have surpassed Europe in wealth, inventions, and leadership, which would have been a good joke in the 16th century. (Addison DM)

... America is still depicted to be very close to India, and a bit smaller then what it is in real life. America has met and surpassed many expectations, possibly a few of the cartographer too. But even though we are still "land of the free," it's getting harder and harder to be respected as a Christian even though Christianity and the want to follow Christ freely is what brought people to America in the first place. (Kara H.)

Honors (pick 3 out of 5)

H1. Using American history as your guide, predict what will happen in the first two years of the Obama Administration.

H2. Write about any issue, debate, or mystery related to the lecture or its time period.

H3. "Free trade": good or bad? Your view please, while mentioning NAFTA and WTO.

H4. What is your view of the government spying on its own citizens, such as authorized by the Patriot Act?

H5. Write about any issue relating to American history at any time.