You will use the following format for this assignment. I have filled in sections for the part on Progressivism to give you an idea of the level of detail I am looking for:
I. Introduction
II. Progressive Era
a. Effects on Small Business
i. Big Business Abused Power (monopoly)
b. Effects on Consumers
i. complex ingredients/false claims/production methods
c. Regulatory Commissions/Laws
i. FDA/Meat Inspection Act)
III. Great Depression
a. Scope of Depression
i. Subtopic 1
b. Social Security Act
c. Wagner Act
d. Fair Labor Standards Act
IV. 1950s Economy and Cold War
V. War on Poverty and the Rights Movements
VI. Conclusion
Essay Paper Topic:
It is 1974. President Ford has named you to chair a task force to study ways to reduce the size of the federal government, and he wants you to prepare a report that examines why government has taken on so many responsibilities. In particular, Nixon wants you to examine how different economic and social challenges have caused the federal government to assume new roles in caring for Americans. To do this, you need to discuss the following:
Examine why the rise of Big Business created problems for smaller businesses and consumers [with examples] (6 points) and then explain [with examples] the ways in which Progressives used the federal government to help fix these problems (6 points).
Describe why FD Roosevelt felt the government had to take on more responsibilities to protect Americans grew during the Great Depression (2 points). Then use the Banking Act of 1933, the Social Security Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act to show how government worked to provide Americans with more economic security (9 points).
Examine how post-World War II economic concerns caused the responsibilities and size of the federal government to grow beginning in 1944 to 1964 (4 points). Then examine how and why America’s role in foreign affairs grew during the 1950s and show how this led to further growth in the government (6 points)
Describe how the Great Society, and civil rights and women’s rights legislation caused the responsibilities and size of the federal government to permanently grow in the 1960s and 1970s (16 points).
Writing Instructions:
The purpose of this essay is not for you to just provide a “laundry list” of facts or simple descriptions of individual programs. The main focus is for you to pursue some analysis into the events that have shaped American history – that is you must explain WHY things happen. Therefore, while it is important you describe specific programs and events learned in class, it is more important that you explain how these examples to support and clarify your main points.
It is important to state a central thesis in your introduction, which you then develop in the body of your paper. You must also have a formal conclusion that restates and summarizes your key points.