TOPIC OPTIONS:
1) Vietnam War
a. From Chapter 27 of the YAWP reader, read the following.
i. Barry Goldwater Barry Goldwater, Republican Nomination Acceptance Speech
ii. George M. Garcia, Vietnam Veteran, Oral Interview
b. Read Chapter 30 of the US History online textbook, especially pages 822 – 824.
c. Listen to the “Born in the USA” song and Read the lyrics.
Prepare your work and include answers to the following questions:
From the YAWP reading, what is Barry Goldwater’s overall message?
From the YAWP reading, why did George M. Garcia refuse the Purple Heart?
Why did the U.S. get involved in the Vietnam War?
What impact did the My Lai Massacre have on relations with the South Vietnamese, on U.S. soldiers, on the American people, and on the presidency?
Describe the events that fueled antiwar sentiment in the Vietnam era.
According to John Kerry, how did many U.S. soldiers treat Vietnamese civilians?
Did we compensate Vietnam for the ecological disaster caused by Agent Orange and other herbicides?
Do some research online.
What is the legacy of the Vietnam War?
What is the real meaning of the song “Born in the USA”? Shocked?
OR
2) Civil Rights Movement
a. From Chapter 27 of the YAWP reader, read the following
i. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
ii. Rosa Parks on Life in Montgomery, Alabama (1956-1958)
iii. Fannie Lou Hamer: Testimony at the Democratic National Convention 1964
iv. Lyndon Johnson on Voting Rights and the American Promise (1965)
b. Read Chapter 28 of the US History online textbook, especially pages 775 – 778 and pages 804 – 805.
Prepare your work and include answers to the following questions:
From the Brown v Board of Education of Topeka and the Rose Parks on Life in Montgomery, how do these readings reveal the continuing struggle to end racism and racial segregation?
From the YAWP reading, according to President Johnson why are “opportunities” not enough to ensure the civil rights of African-Americans?
From the YAWP reading, what shocked up the most from Fannie Lou Hamer’s Testimony? Why?
Why were people so angry, to the point of violence, about integration of our schools?
What is your reaction to the Literacy Test?
What was the premeditated purpose of the Literacy Test?
Could you pass this test?
In what ways do we continue to struggle with civil rights and civil liberties issues in the 21st century?
