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QUESTION
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
- Textbook: Chapter 28, 29, 30
- Lesson
- Minimum of 1 primary source
- Minimum of 4 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook)
Optional Resources to Explore
Feel free to review the library guide for scholarly sources and videos at the following link:
- Link (website): History Library GuideLinks to an external site.
Introduction
The purposes of each case study assignment include the following:
- To hone your abilities to research using scholarly sources
- To advance critical thinking and writing skills
- To compile a response to the prompts provided
- To explore a historical topic and make connections to change over time
Instructions
Pick one (1) of the following topics. Then, address the corresponding questions/prompts for your selected topic. Use at least one (1) documented example of the corresponding primary source in your writing. (Address all 3 topics in 4 pages each)
Option 1: McCarthyism and Anti-Communist Campaigns
The Cold War brought about an irrational fear of communism and communist activities in the United States. As we are learning this week, one of the most vocal instigators of this paranoia was Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy delivered a speech about the imminent threat of communism on February 9, 1950. Perform a search on the internet and locate and read Joseph McCarthy’s speech given in Wheeling, West Virginia on February 9, 1950. Copy and paste the following keywords into your Google search bar: “Joseph McCarthy, Wheeling, West Virginia.” The speech is also referred to as “Enemies from Within.”
Construct the case study by responding to the following prompts:
- Explain how Senator Joseph McCarthy defined communist nations within the speech. What specific threats did these nations pose?
- Assess if Senator Joseph McCarthy charges were accurate.
- Analyze anti-communist sentiments during the Cold War era, were these sentiments valid. If so, how? If not, why not?
- Explain if there are other examples of events similar to the Red Scare that have occurred throughout history and modern day.
- Examine what happened to people who invoked the Fifth Amendment, refused to appear or were found in violation of the law as defined by the Congressional Committee.
Option 2: The Civil Rights Movement
Using the Internet, locate and read Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech given in Washington D.C., August 1963. Copy and paste the following keywords into your Google search bar: “I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.” Feel free also to locate and incorporate additional scholarly sources to respond to this case study, including information on the Civil Rights Movement.
Construct the case study by responding to the following prompts:
- Explain if the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s effectively changed the nation.
- What effect would the Civil Rights Acts have across the continent on minority groups?
- Do you think that the tactics and strategies that civil rights activists used in the 1960s would apply to today’s racial and ethnic conflicts? Why or why not?
- Do the ideas of the 1960s still have relevance today? If so how? If not, why not?
- Analyze how the Civil Rights Movement would impact diversity in America today.
Option 3: American Domestic and Foreign Policies (1953-1991)
Complete a search either in the Chamberlain Library or internet for domestic and foreign polices of four (4) of the following Presidents. Please incorporate at least one primary source of either a policy or act that you have chosen to write about.
- Eisenhower
- Kennedy
- Johnson
- Nixon
- Ford
- Carter
- Reagan
Then, compare domestic and foreign polices of your four (4) presidents by answering the following prompts:
- Explain how your selected presidents worked to improve the United States economically and socially. Give at least one example of each president.
- Assess if the policies of your choice of presidents strengthen or weaken the United States.
- Explain how you see your choice of presidents served the public interest and further the cause of democracy.
- Determine if it is constitutional for the United States to fight preemptive wars.
- Determine if human rights and morality should be the cornerstones of United State foreign policy.
Writing Requirements (APA format)
- Length: 4-5 pages (not including title page and references page)
- 1-inch margins
- Double spaced
- 12-point Times New Roman font
- Title page
- References page
- In-text citations that correspond with your end reference
ANSWER
Option 1: McCarthyism and Anti-Communist Campaigns
Explain how Senator Joseph McCarthy defined communist nations within the speech. What specific threats did these nations pose?
Senator Joseph McCarthy defined communism based on ethical grounds. Mccarthy believed communist nations were godless, atheists, and they could not co-exist the democratic Christian world. He said, “ … no nation, no people who believe in a god, can exist side by side with their communistic state,” demonstrating the alleged intolerance of communist states (McCarthy, 1950). McCarthy used Karl Max to demonstrate to the public the typical characteristic of a communist state. He said that Karl Marx supported seizing public land and operating it as a sole corporation. Therefore, according to McCarthy, communist nations want a single enterprise to run public property and factories as opposed to private ownership. According to McCarthy, this ideology is unacceptable and a clear indication of the immorality of communist states. McCarthy also tells the public that Karl Marx mocked God, and he expelled members of his Communist party for mentioning words such as justice, love, morality, or humanity (McCarthy, 1950). In the above statement, McCarthy implied that communists do not value humanity, morality, love, or justice.
To sum up, McCarthy believed communist states support the Marxian concept of the whole economy being run by a single entity. They are godless, atheists, and intolerant of democratic Christian nations. Communist states do not value humanity, morality, love, or justice.
Assess if Senator Joseph McCarthy charges were accurate
Senator Joseph McCarthy charges were inaccurate. The senator did not have proper evidence to support his allegations that communist existed in the US government. Secondly, there was a lot of inconsistency in his allegations. On February 9 1950, McCarthy claimed he knew 205 communist members in the government (Whitaker, n.d.). He later changed his claims, stating that there were 81 suspected communist members in the government.
The federal government also called for a formal investigation to smoke out communist supporters and sympathizers. The government, led by the FBI, swept universities, schools, working places, etc. Anyone suspected of being disloyal was either jailed, fired, banned from their state, blacklisted from their professions, etc (Whitaker, n.d.). Any dissenting opinion in the media was cleansed, and “undesirables” deported from the country. Despite the extensive, nation-wide investigation, McCarthy’s accusation remained dubious. There was no evidence supporting his claims, demonstrating McCarthy’s accusations were inaccurate.
Analyze anti-communist sentiments during the Cold War era, were these sentiments valid. If so, how? If not, why not?
During the Cold War era, many Americans believed communism posed a threat to world peace. These perceptions about the Soviet Union were valid. According to Corbett et al. (2016), the US lost its monopoly power of nuclear weapons in 1949 after the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb. Few months later, China took over Taiwan, while the Soviets took control of over hard of Northern Korea. Stalin’s Gulag killed over 10 million detained dissidents, engineered the extermination of Ukrainians in forced starvation, and his purges, killings, and continual propaganda converted the USSR into a totalitarian terror state. Mao Tse-Tung, a Chinese leader, won a brutal triumph in 1949, yet his biggest horrors were still to come (the 1960s cultural revolution that murdered possibly 30 million). In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first manmade satellite, technology unbeknownst to America. The military superiority of Soviets validate America’s concerns.
Although it understandable for America to feel threatened, given the military superiority of communists, their anti-communist sentiments had nothing to do with this threat. Whittaker (n.d.) states that communist purges were extensive but they did not differ from those of the extreme witch-hunters of the West. American anti-communists exploited the alleged internal subversion to eliminate political rivals. For example, Henry Wallace’s progress campaign was attacked due to the anti-communist statement. Republicans such as Richard Nixon and Robert Taft supported McCarthy and perceived him an asset against Democratic politicians (Corbett et al., 2016, p.763).
Whitaker (n.d) echoes this idea that conservative Republicans used McCarthy’s sentiments to oppose the progressive ideas of Truman’s New Deal and the containment policy. Corbett et al. (2016) report that Truman’s Fair Deal and Roosevelt’s New Deal were often wrongfully associated with communism. This statement demonstrates McCarthy’s sentiments were nothing but propaganda orchestrated to subdue political opponents (p.762). The military superiority and successes of the Soviet Union threatened America’s vision of a peaceful world. American anti-communists took advantage of the public’s concerns and exaggerated the threat posed by Soviets. The actual motive behind the anti-communism sentiments was political repression, invalidating America’s anti-communist sentiments.
Explain if there are other examples of events similar to the Red Scare that have occurred throughout history and modern day.
There are other historical and modern events similar to the Red scare. The Red Scare refers to the hysteria over the threat posed by the Communists or far-leftists. In the early 1900s, investigators discovered 36 letter bombs targeting political leaders and local public officials. Eight other bombs exploded, including one that demolished the Mitchell Palmer’s (the attorney general) entryway. The public’s fear of leftist opposition intensified. The majority of the public believed socialists, anarchists, and communists needed to be eliminated. Therefore, private citizens started attacking alleged radicals in major cities. In November 1919, Edgar Hoover organized nation-wide raids, resulting in over 4000 arrests. The arrested were detained in overcrowded cells and deported. (Corbett et al., 2016, .630).
Chinese Islamic Revolutionaries are examples of modern-day Red Scare. Swanson (2019) asserts that a committee was founded in the 1970s against the Soviet Union but reconstituted by Stephen K. Bannon to warn the world about China. China has been accused of using economic capitalism to colonize third-world countries, and keeping Muslims in concentration camps. Suspicion and distrust of China have grown, and the growth of Beijing is seen as a threat to national and economic security (Swanson, 2019). These perceived threats akin to the Red Scare.
Examine what happened to people who invoked the Fifth Amendment, refused to appear or were found in violation of the law as defined by the Congressional Committee.
Corbett et al. (2016) reveals that people who invoked the Fifth Amendment lost their jobs or were blacklisted. Any blacklisted individual could not secure employment. Others were fired, jailed, deported, or banned from their states. Any witness who refused to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities would be imprisoned. Whitmaker (n.d.) reports that witnesses would be forced to publicly recant the names of friends or associates associated with communism. Those who refused would be charged with treason.
Option 2: The Civil Rights Movement
Explain if the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s effectively changed the nation.
The Civil Rights Movement effectively changed the country by ending segregation and increasing African Americans’ civil rights. The movement brought legislative changes that ended bus segregation, prohibited employment discrimination, and forbade segregation in public accommodation segregation. President Lyndon Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act in 1964 to ensure that the US constitution protected the rights of African Americans. Further, this Act barred the federal government from funding programs that allowed racial segregation. The Act also led to the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC), which prohibited employment discrimination based on color, nationality, race, religion, gender, etc. The EOCC is still functioning to date, demonstrating that the Civil Rights Movement effectively changed the country. The movement did not just bring reformations for African Americans alone but also for other minority groups.
The government’s initial attempt to give African Americans voting rights resulted in violent protests from White Southerners. After the “Bloody Sunday,” President Johnson introduced a bill in Congress to eliminate barriers for African American voters. This bill also proposed the government provide federal support to African Americans’ cause (Corbett et al., 2016, p.794). The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965. It prohibited local and state governments from passing laws that would discriminate against African Americans’ voting rights. It also outlawed the literacy tests that prevented African Americans from voting. Corbett et al. (2016) reveal that approximately a quarter-million African Americans registered. By 1967, most African Americans were registered, voters. President Johnson also passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, preventing housing discrimination based on race, nationality, color, or religion.
Sarswat (2018) revealed that these legislations also resulted in a cultural renaissance in the 80s and 90s. Race ceased being provocative and, instead, became a means to flourish the country’s cultural heritage. Black and White artists and entertainers came together to create the country’s cultural heritage, and Barack Obama ran and won the 2008 presidential election, actualizing Martin Luther’s Dream. Luther said, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of the former slaves and the sons of the former slaveholders will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” The provisions created by the series of Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination against color, brought this dream into a reality. The Civil Rights Movement effectively changed the country by prohibiting discrimination against people of color and expanding their voting, education, and employment rights.
What effect would the Civil Rights Acts have across the continent on minority groups?
The Civil Rights Acts would empower other minority groups in the continent to advocate for the same right. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement inspired many middle-class women to create their own campaigns to protest the traditional gender roles. The struggles of these women led to the creation of Title VII, which prevented discrimination against women in employment. These women also pressured the Food and Drug Administration to approve birth control pills, allowing them to control their reproduction and childbearing responsibilities. The Civil Rights Act would have the same ripple effect across the continent. Many minority groups would be inspired to create their own movements and advocate for freedom and social justice in their countries.
Do you think the tactics and strategies that civil rights activists used in the 1960s would apply to today’s racial and ethnic conflicts? Why or why not?
Martin Luther King advocated for non-violent protest strategies. According to Sarswat (2018), the civil rights movement of the 1960s used freedom rides, boycotts, marches, and civil disobedience tactics. A study by Mitchell (2022) showed that these peaceful or non-violent protests would not apply in today’s racial and ethnic conflicts. According to Mitchell (2022), color revolutions often result in chronic instability because their “democratic advances” are often accompanied by backsliding to corrupt or illiberal regimes. This author indicates that most color revolutions in the modern world often masquerade as democratic causes but, over time, backslide into corrupt governments, causing further political upheavals and protests and continuous cycles of formation and collapse. Most ethnic conflicts occur in third-world countries. These countries are often authoritarian, corrupt, and unresponsive to people’s needs and demands. Typically, these countries subdue democracy by criminalizing resistance against the government. Therefore, peaceful or violent protests will be met by police brutality or military action. Luther’s non-violent action cannot resolve ethnic conflicts in such regimes.
Another study by Shumana et al. (2022) demonstrated that limited violence during protests can benefit a non-violent movement. The authors collected data from various government agencies to determine whether violent demonstrations in the Black Lives Matter movement harmed the movement’s goals. The authors found that limited, disruptive, and violent actions help generate public support for the movement’s cause and goals. The authors theorized that disruptive protests affect people’s daily life and relations within a given society, forcing them to pay attention to the movement’s plights. Shumana et al. (2022) said, “… the disruption produced by protests against the backdrop of non-violent protests can create pressure for those resistant (in this case, conservatives) to support policy concessions to the movement’s goal” (p.8). Implicit in this theory is the idea that the modern world is indifferent to others’ racial suffering. Violent or disruptive protests force the public to pay attention to the movement’s plight, consequently generating public support.
Do the ideas of the 1960s still have relevance today? If so, how? If not, why not?
The 1960s ideas still have relevance today, e.g., employment rights, racial justice, and economic and educational opportunities. The EOCC is still in effect, ensuring that employment discrimination does not occur. The EOCC (n.d.) reports that it has investigated many job discrimination complaints and found evidence of discrimination. The federal agency has taken appropriate measures to protect workers from employment discrimination, demonstrating that the 1960s ideas are still relevant today.
Analyze how the Civil Rights Movement would impact diversity in America today.
The Civil Rights Movement would impact diversity in America by upending and changing today’s social norms. If the 1960s Civil Rights Movement operated in America today, it would impact diversity similarly. They would change social norms by fighting against anti-miscegenation and immigration laws. Immigrant populations have the highest unemployment rates, lower incomes, and poorer education outcomes than native-born Americans. Their social mobility is restricted due to this low socio-economic status.
The Civil Rights Movement would break these social barriers by ensuring they have the same rights as native-born Americans, including access to affordable education, voting rights, employment rights (e.g., medical insurance), etc. These rights would improve the quality of life of immigrants and increase their social mobility and presence in high places, including the legal and political spheres. Consequently, schools and other social institutions will be diverse because immigrants will be well represented.
Option 3. American Domestic and Foreign Policies (1953-1991)
The presidents selected for this case study are Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, and Carter. Corbett et al. (2016) reveal that Kennedy’s social reformations were hampered by the lack of support from his party. Despite these challenges, Kennedy managed to make profound achievements in the social arena. For example, he implemented a poverty relief program for people with disabilities, expanded unemployment benefits, and extended the school lunch program to more students. He piloted a food stamps program and, in 1963, passed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act (Corbett et al., 2016, p.786). This legislation increased mental health services available to the public. Kennedy also helped outlaw poll taxes- a technique southern states used to alienate African American voters. He also responded to African American demands for equality in education.
President Johnson passed various legislations that expanded minority groups’ rights, combatted racial discrimination, and tried to end poverty. Congress passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which increased federal funding to elementary and high schools. It also passed the Higher Education Act, which gave low-interest loans and scholarships to poor students (Corbett et al., 2016, p.792). Johnson also concentrated on consumer protection laws and safety standards for motor vehicles. Johnson’s administration also passed laws to protect air and water quality, endangered species, and regulate solid waste disposal. Johnson also encouraged Congress to pass the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Corbett et al. (2016) attribute Latina and Asian immigration to the United States to this legislation. President Johnson also fought against poverty by creating the Housing and Urban Development Act, which subsidized rent for poor people and improved city housing conditions (Corbett et al., 2016, p.792). Johnson’s administration also created the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) of 1964 as part of their agenda of ending poverty. EOA helped the poor find jobs and helped impoverished communities. Most importantly, he advocated for enacting the Social Security Act of 1965, which expanded the number of people qualified for medical coverage.
President Reagan’s primary goal was to improve the economy while simultaneously cutting taxes and government programs (Corbett et al., 2016, p. 850). He encouraged Congress to pass the Economic Recovery Tax Act, which reduced the income taxes of those on the highest economic ladder by 25%. According to Reagan, reducing the income taxes of this group would encourage them to invest in the stock market, factories, businesses, etc., increasing returns and employment opportunities in the country (Corbett et al., 2016, p. 850). He also created the Department of Veterans Affairs and several anti-poverty programs, e.g., rent subsidies, food stamps, job training programs, and Medicaid.
President Jimmy Carter developed various social programs that improved housing conditions for the elderly. He also took steps to improve workplace safety. Carter’s administration also emphasized the importance of energy conservation. He created the Department of Energy and gave people who insulated their houses tax credits.
Assess if the policies of your choice of presidents strengthen or weaken the United States.
Some presidents’ policies strengthened the United States, and some weakened them. For example, the policies of Kennedy and Johnson strengthened America, while that of Reagan and Carter weakened America. Kennedy’s social reformations ignited violent protests and resulted in his murder. Despite the violence, Kennedy’s and Johnson’s reformations are still relevant in the United States. For example, many minority groups in America today enjoy their liberties, thanks to the anti-segregation laws, the Social Security Act of 1965, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Corbett et al. (2016) indicated that Johnson’s administration reduced the number of people living below the poverty line by half. They also reveal that Medicaid and social security benefits improved the lives of most Americans, demonstrating that these reformations strengthened America.
President Reagan and Carter’s policies weakened America. Reagan’s 25% income tax increased income inequalities and the gap between the rich and poor. Corbett et al. (2018) indicate that Reagan’s administration weakened labor unions in America. Reagan’s administration was lenient with pollution control and drilling and logging of public lands. This leniency caused bank and savings loans to be deregulated and weakened labor unions. Unemployment reached its all-time high since the Great Depression, and homelessness became a significant issue in urban areas (Corbett et al., 2016, p.852). Reagan’s administration was ineffective in resolving these issues, claiming that homelessness is self-inflicted.
President Jimmy Carter’s policies also weakened America. According to Cornett et al. (2016), Carter deregulated the trucking and aviation industries, aiming to increase competition. This deregulation policy did not achieve the intended impact. Some airlines went out of business because Carter’s deregulation policies forced them to reduce prices.
Explain how you see your choice of presidents serving the public interest and furthering the cause of democracy.
My choice of presidents served public interests by creating social programs to improve their welfare. Programs targeting the poor, people living with disabilities, impoverished communities, and minority groups significantly improve people’s well-being. President Johnson and Kennedy furthered the cause of democracy by prohibiting discrimination against minority groups and removing barriers that prevent African Americans from exercising their rights.
Determine if it is constitutional for the United States to fight preemptive wars.
Mitchell (2004) conducted a study to determine if the preemptive war is constitutional. The author concluded that preemptive war is beyond the federal government’s power. Simply put, the author indicates that preemptive war is unconstitutional. Mitchell says, “the use of force in preemptive war finds no justification in notions of “imminence.” A war qualifies as preemptive when the threat to national interests is neither imminent nor evident. By definition, a preemptive war only occurs when the situation feared to cause harm to national interests has not reached the point where its danger materializes. (Mitchell, 2004). Because preemptive war does not require the other country to attack or be in the process of an imminent attack, it is easy for a government to create the “threat” and then use it as the basis for the preemptive war. For these reasons, Mitchell (2004) believes preemptive wars are unconstitutional, and preemptive military force should be above the federal government in the constitution.
Determine if human rights and morality should be the cornerstones of United States foreign policy.
Human rights and morality should be the cornerstone of the United States’ foreign policy. US’s mission and actions in Vietnam demonstrate why the foreign policy should be grounded in moral and national values. Herring (2009) terms the Vietnam War “the most traumatic war,” which had tortured Americans’ collective souls. The war adversely affected America’s economy, disarrayed its foreign policy, and discredited the containment policy. According to Herring (2009), the atrocities committed against humanity in the Vietnamese war divided Americans. The effects of the Vietnam War underscore the importance of honoring human rights and morality in foreign policy.
President Carter’s successes also demonstrate why human rights and morality should be the cornerstone of the United States’ foreign policy. According to Corbett et al. (2016), President Carter believed that national values and moral principles should hold the US foreign policy. Therefore, his administration focused on promoting human rights and peace. Corbett et al. (2016) report that this approach significantly improved America’s diplomatic relations, including with its perceived enemies. Carter managed to improve US-China relations, stopped supporting the Nicaraguan dictator, Anastasio Somoza, and initiated the SALT II talks with the Soviet Union. Due to his dedication to fostering peace and human rights, Carter successfully made Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign the Camp David Accords. This historic peace treaty demonstrates why human rights and morality should be the cornerstone of the United States’ foreign policy.
References
Corbett, P. S., Janseen, V., Lund, J., Pfannestiel, T., Vickery, P., & Waskiewicz, S. (2016). US History. OpenStax. https://assets.openstax.org/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/USHistory-WEB.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (n.d.). Real EEOC Cases. EOCC Agency. https://www.eeoc.gov/youth/real-eeoc-cases
Herring, G. C. (1990). America and Vietnam: The unending war. Journal of Foreign Affairs. 70(104), https://web.viu.ca/davies/H323Vietnam/Herring.AmericaVietnam.pdf
McCarthy, J. (1950). “Enemies from Within” speech delivered in Wheeling, West Virginia. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6456
Mitchell, L. A. (2022). The color revolutions. Successes and limitations of non-violent protest. In Handbook of Revolutions in the 21st Century (pp. 435-445). Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-86468-2_15
Mitchell, J. B. (2004). Preemptive War: Is It Constitutional. Santa Clara L. 44( 497). https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1402&context=faculty
Sarswat, G. (2018). Civil Rights Movement: A Non-violent Revolution that Blurred the Color Line in the USA. Upstream Research International Journal, 6(1). https://www.gapinterdisciplinarities.org/res/articles/(30-32)%20UNDERSTANDING%20THE%20SCOPE,%20EFFECTIVITY%20AND%20NECESSITY%20OF%20PEACEFUL%20PROTESTS%20IN%20INDIA.pdf
Swanson, A. (2019). A New Red Scare Is Reshaping Washington (Published 2019). Nytimes.com. Web.
Whitaker, R. (n.d.). FIGHTING THE COLD WAR ON THE HOME FRONT: AMERICA, BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA AND CANADA. The Social Reforms. https://socialistregister.com/index.php/srv/article/download/5505/2403/7401
