For this assignment, you will write an essay explaining how civilian Americans in the period 1960–1980 formed ideas about
the global role of the United States in reaction to both the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Include specific
examples of how economic and technological developments shaped these political debates.
Select two primary source speeches by U.S. leaders with opposing views on either the Vietnam War or the Civil Rights
Movement. Select at least one secondary source, either an article in a peer-reviewed journal or an eBook by a historian from
the Waldorf Online Library.
Follow the steps below to develop your essay:
Step1:
Choose one appropriate secondary source and two relevant print primary sources. Select primary sources to use as
evidence of opposing views on either the Civil Rights Movement or the Vietnam War. The secondary source must be a
peer-reviewed history journal article or book written by a historian. The primary must be the texts of speeches or addresses
given by a U.S. leader. At least one source must come from the Waldorf Online Library. ( I will add an additional source from the online library and tie it into the paper).
Step2:
Complete your research. Focus on how the civilian view of the American role in the world was shaped by reactions to its
participation in the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement from 1960–1980. Include economic and technological
changes in this period.
Step3:
Draw conclusions about the origin of conflicting views among Americans regarding the appropriate role of the United States
in global affairs. Prepare your thesis. Your thesis should offer your reader your conclusions or specific insight regarding the
causes of conflicting view, including the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as economic and
technological developments. Use specific examples of events and/or perspectives to make your point.
Use the following guidelines to help research and develop your conclusions:
Compose a list of the American positions for and against the Vietnam War.
Compose a list of the American positions for and against Civil Rights strategies or legislation (you may focus on one
strategy or one piece of legislation if you prefer).
Describe any overlap between the two debates.
Explain how the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement shaped perceptions of U.S. global role.
Ensure that your research and insight are about the period only and that you are not projecting your own personal
opinions but building conclusions from the data and about that data only. The goal is to explain the debates rather than to
defend or critique positions.
Consider the impacts of economic and technological developments on political debate in this period.
Ask yourself how the two opposing primary sources can be used to support your insight. Direct quotations from these
sources should not exceed 10% of your submission.
Step4:
Your essay must be at least two pages in length. Adhere to APA Style when creating citations and references for this
assignment. APA formatting, however, is not necessary. Please note that no abstract is needed.
