DISCUSSION 1
Cold War & Civil Rights—Times that were a’changin’:

Background and Sources to Consider: By the early 1950s, the US was a world super-power. It had achieved victory in World War II with minimal damage to the homeland—unlike many countries. The Great Depression was no more. The US economy was growing and prospering. It had technological advantages in nuclear weaponry. But, two major rival powers were developing, rivals ideologically and militarily: The Soviet Union and China. The Cold War between the US and its allies versus the Soviet Union and its allies/clients would be the dominant international issue for the next four decades. In the 1950s and the 1960s, the US would begin grappling head-on with major Civil Rights and economic issues, as well as a divisive conflict in Vietnam—and widespread demonstrations and some high profile assassinations. Our assigned chapters for this week are chapters 24 and 25, and they have excellent coverage of both subjects—be sure to make use of these in this discussion. Also, in the Week 7 unit, click on “Learn” and find the slide presentations of chapter highlights, but especially the videos there. Then click on “Week 7” and review the two folders of PRIMARY SOURCES.
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Doing this Discussion

WHAT TO DISCUSS:

Choose and discuss one of the following two topics related to the American experiences in Cold War and the Civil Rights struggles and achievements between 1945 and 1969. Consider the sources noted above. Develop your main post with a paragraph or two; tell us where you read about it—be sure to make some use of the chapter and indicate the section or pages you used. Also, be sure there is plenty of "you" in your posts. Have fun with this and with reply posting to classmates:

A. Describe at least one key American policy or strategy aimed at dealing with communism and the Soviet threat, and provide an example of a conflict or crisis that was part of this Cold War strategy. Explain how the international situation today is different…or any similarities.

B. Thinking about the Civil Rights advancements and struggles that took place in the 1950s and 1960s, describe two key events and at least one major piece of legislation or court decision and explain their historical significance.

Respond to at least one of your classmates and interact with that person’s information. Make sure to put forth at least a point or two of your own in at least one paragraph.

DISCUSSION 2
Leadership at Home and Abroad: Dealing with Scandal and the Cold War

Background and Sources to Consider: This week we tackle the 1970s and 1980s. The Cold War between the US and its allies versus the Soviet Union and its allies/clients was still the dominant international issue. China was also going to start emerging as a major world power. Nixon was dealing with Vietnam and then Watergate—one of the pivotal scandals of modern history. Reagan would bring a new national spirit, and he would tackle economic problems by deregulation and moderating taxes—and he would be dealing with a very new type of Soviet leadership. Our assigned chapters for this week are chapters 26 and 27, and they have excellent coverage of both subjects—be sure to make use of these in this discussion. Also, in the Week 8 unit, click on “Learn” and find the slide presentations of chapter highlights, but especially the videos there. Then click on “Week 8” and review the two folders of PRIMARY SOURCES.

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WHAT TO DISCUSS:

Choose and discuss one of the following two topics related to the American experiences in 1970s and the 1980s. Consider the sources noted above. Develop your main post with a paragraph or two; tell us where you read about it—be sure to make some use of one or both of this week’s assigned chapters (chaps. 26-27) and indicate the section or pages you used. Also, be sure there is plenty of "you" in your posts. Have fun with this and with reply posting to classmates:

A. Lessons in leadership: Use an example from President Nixon’s handling of the Watergate issue and another example from Reagan’s presidency. Give two lessons in leadership—one from each example. They can be positive lessons or negative lessons (good things to do; things not to do, etc). These are lessons that can apply to those in business or politics or some other realm.

B. Cold Warriors: Discuss a strategy or policy from the Nixon presidency that related to the Cold War. Then do the same for a Cold War strategy or policy from the Reagan presidency. In hindsight, what are your views of each approach and how effective (or not) each approach was.

Respond to at least one of your classmates and interact with that person’s information. Make sure to put forth at least a point or two of your own in at least one paragraph.

DISCUSSION 3
Select one of the following subjects:

a. For the period of the Clinton presidency, identify one view of those favoring “free trade” and one view of those who were opposed. Explain how you would weigh the pros and cons of this policy.

b. Share one item from the “package” of changes that characterized the economic boost of the “information revolution” in the late 1990s and discuss what you think was the most important of these changes (i.e., Internet technology, digital technology, corporate consolidation, etc.).