UCF The US History Between 1914 and 1945 Freedom & Intolerance Discussion

The period from 1914 to 1945 saw a significant expansion in personal freedoms for many segments of the U.S. population. At the same time, these decades witnessed widespread retrenchment, oppression, and intolerance. Which force – freedom or intolerance – proved more central to the history of the United States between 1914 and 1945?

In formulating your answer, choose three different individuals/groups that we have discussed in the middle section of the course (modules 6-9). Describe the historical experiences of each individual/group with reference to freedom, intolerance, or both. How did your individuals/groups define freedom? How or why did they suffer or practice intolerance? Given the experience of your three individuals/groups, is this period of U.S. history better understood with reference to expanding freedom or widespread intolerance? The period from 1914 to 1945 saw a significant expansion in personal freedoms for many segments of the U.S. population. At the same time, these decades witnessed widespread retrenchment, oppression, and intolerance. Which force – freedom or intolerance – proved more central to the history of the United States between 1914 and 1945?

In formulating your answer, choose three different individuals/groups that we have discussed in the middle section of the course (modules 6-9). Describe the historical experiences of each individual/group with reference to freedom, intolerance, or both. How did your individuals/groups define freedom? How or why did they suffer or practice intolerance? Given the experience of your three individuals/groups, is this period of U.S. history better understood with reference to expanding freedom or widespread intolerance?

• 750 words is not much! It’s about three double spaced pages (1” margins, 12 point font).
• Be brief, especially in your introductory paragraph. Get right to your argument, don’t waste words describing everything we’ve covered in the course. There’s no need to make sweeping statements like “Since the beginning of U.S. history….”
• The prompt asks several different (but closely related) questions. You do not need to answer each and every one of them, but you should try to address most of them (at least in passing) in your essay.
• Suggested format:
  • 75 words: Introductory paragraph that ends with a clear thesis statement (that is, your argument and your answer to the question asked in the prompt).
  • 200 words: body paragraph 1, which should contain your first example and a quotation from your first document.
  • 200 words: body paragraph 2, which should contain your second example and a quotation from your second document. A transition paragraph between paragraphs should address the similarities/differences between your first and second example.
  • 200 words: body paragraph 3, which should contain your third example and a quotation from your third document. A transition paragraph between paragraphs should address the similarities/differences between this example and your first two examples.
  • 75 words: a concluding paragraph that compares your three examples and reiterates (not word-for-word!) your thesis from the introduction.
• You MUST introduce and contextualize your quotes. We’ve read dozens of documents this term. You must tell your reader what document you’re quoting .
• Three individuals that I am choosing are – Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Manuel Gamio. If you find other persons of interest you may write about them if it makes it easier on you.