The Espionage Act- Could It Happen Today?

In 1917, the U.S. government passed the Espionage Act to limit opposition to WWI. While the intention was good, it severely limited peoples' right to free speech. History has shown that in certain situations, the citizens of the United States have been willing to suspend or give up certain rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution...why do you think that is? Do you think a law like the Espionage Act could be passed in the United States today? Why or why not?

Immigration into the U.S.

Immigrants have been coming into the United States looking for economic opportunity pretty much since the founding of the country. By allowing many diffrent cultures into the U.S., the culture of the United States has also changed. As we've learned in class, nativists provided strong opposition to immigration, claiming that the ideas, political beliefs, religion, language, etc that the immigrants brought with them was causing harm to the "American" way of life. Nativists during the Gilded Age called for restrictions, laws and even exclusion of some immigrants. Immigration is still a hot button issue today. Arizona recently passed a law that allows law enforcement officers to profile people to stop them to check to see if in fact they are American citizens. Give some of your thoughts on the immigration issue. Should there be any restrictions, laws or even exclusions or should the U.S. continue to be the "Land of Opportunity?"

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

We spent the past few classes watching the film Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. The story depicts the last days of the free roaming Native Americans and the process of removing the Native Americans from the Great Plains and assimilating them to white culture. We've spent a good week reading about and discussing the conflicts between Native American and white cultures. Do you think the film accurately depicts what we've learned in class? Give a few examples to back up your opinion. What did you like about the film?