Dropping the Atomic Bomb

When President Truman made the decision to use the atomic bomb, not only would it end WWII, but it began a whole new era of world history. We've debated his decision in class, whether it was right or wrong to drop the bomb on civilian sites, whether the second bomb was really needed, etc. When the bombs were dropped, the long term effects of using a nuclear weapon were unknown. Now that we know the lingering effects of nuclear weapons, do you think that the U.S. owes Japan an apology for using the weapon? Why or why not?

Killing Bin Laden

Last week, the U.S. rejoiced with the news of the death of public enemy number one, Osama Bin Laden. People flowed into city streets and cheered, sports arenas celebrated with "God Bless America" and even here at AHS, students and staff marched onto the front lawn to say the Pledge of Allegience. Yes, he was number one on the FBI's most wanted list, but even after news of Hitler's suicide in 1945, people didn't celebrate in the same manner as we did last week. Do you think it was right to celebrate the death of Bin Laden in the way we did in the U.S.?

The New Deal

President Roosevelt inherited a pretty bad situation in 1933. Unlike the previous president, he choose to spend money to help get the U.S. out of the Depression. Although many historians argue that the New Deal was a failure, that it failed to end the Great Depression, it did have its positives, including many programs that still exist today. Based on what you've learned about why the depression started and what the major problems were that people faced during the time, what do you think were the two (2) most important pieces of New Deal legislation passed by FDR and why?

The Great Depression

As we've been going over in class, there have been many causes of the Great Depression. Recessions in a capitalist economy are common occurance, but not to the extent of the Great Depression. What do you think was the single most important cause of the Great Depression based on what you've learned in class the past few days and why? (Remember, the stock market crash was not really a cause, but more like the single event that started the Great Depression.)

God v. Science- The Ongoing Debate

The Scopes trial brought the Theory of Evolution into everyone's lives in 1925 and opened up a discussion about the proper way to educate the youth of America about the creation of the world. This argument persists even today. Should the Theory of Creationism be taught along with the Theory of Evolution in America's public schools today? Does it have a place in public education? Why or why not? If Creationism HAD to be taught in public schools, how do you think it should it be done?

T.R.'s Legacy

We've spent the past view days discussing Teddy Roosevelt's impact on business and society. Earlier in the year, we went over T.R.'s impact on foreign policy. He is widely considered one of the greater presidents in the history of the U.S. Would you rank him in your top 5 most influential presidents? If so, where and why? Is there any president that you would consider more important? Who and why? Give some details that back up your decision.

Iron Jawed Angels

We've spent about a weeks worth of class time examining the changing roles of women in the United States during the early 20th Century and the obstacles they faced while trying to gain political and social equality. After watching the movie "Iron Jawed Angels," what parts of the movie do you think accurately reflected what we've learned in class over the past week? What parts of the film expanded your knowledge of the struggle that women went through to gain the right to vote? Use some specific anecdotes from what we've read in class and from the film in your response.