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Great Debates in American History
Developed and written by Peter Pappas
A supplement to: A History of the United States, Daniel Boorstin, 
(Needham: Prentice-Hall, 1989)
The Great Debates feature consists of 12 debates. Each of these debates contains an introduction that states the topic of the debate, examines the background of this issue, provides information about both the readings and the debaters, and discusses the debate topic from a contemporary perspective. Units feature the conflicting viewpoints of two or more historical figures or organizations and a worksheet that helps you analyze the debate through a series of comprehension and critical thinking questions.

Directions: Read the assigned "Great Debate" in its entirety.  Complete the Great Debates worksheet (both "Comprehension" and "Critical Thinking") either on the worksheet itself or type your responses separately if you prefer.  Your response to the final question of each Great Debate worksheet ("testing conclusions") MUST be typed separately (minimum 3/4 page in length) with the question of debate clearly identified at the top in the heading. This is your chance to "have a take" on this controversial debate in American History.  Remember, use the sources (quote them, etc.) to come to your own position on the issue of debate.

Each activity you are assigned will be graded out of 25 point total (10 points based on answering the lead up questions and 15 points based on the quality of your "take" on the issue.

IF BEING DONE FOR EXTRA CREDIT, THE ASSIGNMENT MAY BE WORTH UP TO +10 POINTS ON YOUR TOTAL MP POINT ACCUMULATION (OFTEN +1 -2 POINTS ON YOUR OVERALL AVERAGE


MP 1 How Should Society Balance the Need for Tolerance with the Need to Protect Itself?
MP 2 How Powerful Should the National Government Be? 
MP 2-3 Who Should Be Allowed to Vote?  
MP 2-3 Should Women Have Equal Treatment Under the Law?  
MP 3 How Should Americans Treat the Land?  
MP 3 Has Industrialization Produced More Benefits or More Problems for the Nation?  
MP 3-4 Should the United States Pursue a Foreign Policy of Isolationism or Interventionism?  
MP 3-4 What Should the Nation's Immigration Policy Be?  
MP 4 To What Extent Is the Federal Government Responsible for the Welfare and Security of the Individual?  
MP 4 Is Civil Disobedience Ever Justified as a Method of Political Change?  
MP 4 What Are the Limits of a Free Press?  
MP 4 How Much Should the Nation Invest in Defense?