KaraH
1. The Cold War took place in the mid 1900s, 1945-1991 to be exact. There are many who played a hand in the war. In America, Truman was at the start and was followed by Eisenhower and Kennedy. Truman attempted to face the communists by his support of those who resisted communistic moves, while Eisenhower took a different approach. He wanted to use the armed force to keep communists from the countries that surrounded the Soviet Union. Kennedy followed in Eisenhower's footsteps with plans to free Cuba with some thousand "Cuban Exiles." Along with this, he started a "race" with the Soviet Union to reach the moon. There was really no reason for this since the Soviets barely so much as tried, it seems that it was more the issue of pride since the Soviets managed to make it to outer space before America.
- Fantastic answer, best in the class.
2. There are two major wars asides from the two World Wars that are nearly forgotten, yet combined over 100,000 Americans lives were destroyed, a total which doesn't include those lost in the opposing countries. The Korean and Vietnam wars. America had more business being in the Korean war then some others it has participated in in the past. Communism was on the verge of pushing past the Korean border lines and adding the millions of people to it's list of those it controlled. That would be one more country that could later turn on America, potentially endangering the population. However, Vietnam was yet another example of a war America didn't have as much reason to fight, nor to such a point. The reason we were in Vietnam was when an American ship opened fire on torpedo boats, the news somehow become muddled, making it seem as if we were attacked.
A country should be united, not divided, so I disagree with those who are fine with Korea being separate, nearly two different countries in belief and government, but I would agree with those that celebrate the fact that communistic views didn't take over the entire nation. Concerning Vietnam, I personally hate the outcome. We barge in valiantly, but later leave them to fend for themselves. Sure, we gave them a few planes to aid their cause, but it didn't stop the communistic Northern Vietnam from conquering the South.
- Superb analysis with several good insights. (note: "its", not it's, for the possessive form)
3. What James Meredith must have endured in the quest for a fair education is simply incredible. Not many people have the strength and stamina to withstand riots, prejudice on that level, death of innocents, and later being shot at.
- Excellent answer, may use as a model.
4. One of the two things President Johnson is known for is starting "Great Society" programs. The main object was to end poverty, so the "Office of Economic Opportunity" program, "Medicare," and "Medicaid" were started in the 1960s, alongside two others, "Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education Acts," and "Department of Housing and Urban Development."
- Correct.
5. Probably one of the most important Amendments that were ratified is the 22nd Amendment, passed under the hand of the 80th Congress. This Amendment is keeping future presidents from spending more then two full terms in office, simply because it's something that Washington did nearly 350 years ago, and his example should be followed. In addition, this protects us from a dictatorship until the Amendment is changed or discarded completely, keeping America a free country. That's the main thing that I admire in the entire 80th Congress.
- Excellent. I agree completely. (note: nearly 220 years ago, not 350 years ago).
6. The person I chose to be one of the most influential and important people in the mid 1900s is not only important to Christianity for showing us how we should view people with a Biblical perspective, but to America today. This man was a catalyst during some of the beginnings of a movement that potentially allowed Barack Obama to be selected president. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for every bit of freedom before he was shot at age thirty-nine, but with for hi last thirteen years showed all who listened that every man deserved to be free. No man or woman should have to fight to show that they're equal to the rest of the population, they should already be equal without being forced to take a stand. Nearly every child will recognize the name "Martin Luther King," for he took such a major stand that it was recognized by not just America, but the world along with it.
- Superb, and supported with emotion and logic.
7. The Supreme Court in the 1960s was called "The Warren Court" after Chief Justice Earl Warren. It's custom to name the Court after the Justice who's presiding at the time; Earl Warren presided between 1953 and 1969. The Court approached each issue from what appears to be more of an atheistic view since one of the things they're known for is taking morning prayers out of a public school's agenda.
- Excellent.
H1) No one can know can know another's heart, so I can't judge Muhammad Ali in saying whether or not he really converted to Islam. He announced his decision 2 year prior to being drafted, but one can't know if he did this simply to stay away from the war at all costs. All in all, the government should support each religion, not giving any one special treatment. If Christians want their wishes to be respected, then we should be fine with Ali getting out of the war for his beliefs. Now, whether or not he got out because he was already a famous boxer remains in question, but he that shouldn't make any difference.
If he only "converted" to get out of the war, then he should have been forced to go. If his beliefs really did change, then what happened is fine. Like stated before, we will never know his heart, his true intentions, so I can't say what happened was either right or wrong.
- Excellent, but like Student #1 before you, your answer does not address whether all Muslims (who do fight in some wars) should be entitled to claim "conscientious objection" to a war they dislike. The issue is not whether Ali genuinely converted to Islam (he did), but whether Muslims can pick and choose which wars they agree to serve in, when there is a mandatory draft. But well done otherwise.
H3) The Equal Rights Amendment is one of the Amendments that look good on paper, but once it's exposed in it's entirety to the population and it's put into practice it shatters innocent lives. Very literally since abortion was technically okayed by this Amendment. Woman should be given equal rights to men in some aspects, but ends when it begins to factor in homosexual marriage, abortion, and even something so potentially disgusting as not having separate bathrooms for men and woman. God made men and woman two separate beings for some ultimate purpose, so who are we to say that we're completely equal?
- Terrific answer. Note that ERA was defeated and abortion was imposed by Roe v. Wade. But ERA would have required mandatory taxpayer funding of abortion, which does not exist in most places in the U.S., and ERA would have prevented the Court from ever overruling Roe v. Wade. (Also, note that your first use of "it's" should be "its"). Well done.
H5) MacArthur certainly was original in his thinking, rather logical too. But I have to say, I don't think that homeschooling really had anything to do with it. Homeschooling boasts of equal or greater education then slightly more traditional means, but all the education in the world can't make one completely and perfectly logical. One can get to a certain point, but can't go much further; one has to be born with it. Homeschoolers tend to have a different quality education then private or public schoolers, sometimes better, sometimes not, so every genius in the world can't point to homeschooling as their method of brilliance. Those who can were simply taught to think differently, something that can be perceived to be of a higher education, but in fact it's merely different.
- Well argued, with good insights. But after teaching over 165 students, I think homeschooling does encourage a more logical and open-minded style of thinking than public school. But full credit for your sincere answer!
- Perfect and terrific paper, with several answers worthy of possible inclusion in the model answers. 100/100. Congratulations!