American History Homework Nine Answers - Student Eighteen

Michelle F

1. In your opinion, the 2008 election that concluded on Tuesday is most similar to which election in history, and why?

I think it bears much similarity to the election of Adof Hiltler.He appealed to the common people in germany, he was a powerful and convincing speaker, and he promised change.

Superb! Will use as a model.

2. Imperialism: a good or bad thing?

Not good or bad. Mixed. I think that countries should be allowed to influence the cultures of other countries, but not necessarily have the right to. Some aspects of our culture are good and would be helpful in developing countries, but if we try to take over their country and tell then how to run it, the people of the country may reject our influence entirely. That can create tension and animosity, possibly leading to a situation worse than what would have been if we had left the country alone to begin with. Other people besides Americans have a right to be independent and to rule themselves. As Americans, we don’t always see this. Sometimes we think that other people are not even capable of ruling themselves.

Excellent.

3. Your thoughts on the progressive movement, please.

I think better government is a great concept. But how would that be accomplished? Would you simply replace old ideas, corrupt officials and employees and essentially do a thorough “ cleaning” of government? More likely you would end up with a different amount of government. Often when cleaning you get rid of things that are broken, obsolete, or useless. Would the result be less government? Or would it actually result in more government and legislation that claims to be better, less corrupt? I personally think that better government is less government. “ The best government is that which governs least.” John L. O’Sullivan 1837

Superb answer, and terrific quote!

4. Please explain the cartoon in the Minnesota Tribune, having the caption at top, "WHAT WILL HE DO!" and the caption at the bottom, "The eyes of the world are upon him." Include your description of the point of view of the cartoonist.

The cartoon depicts William McKinley holding the Philippines, considering his options while the world watches. He choices as shown in the cartoon are to keep the Philippines or return them to Spain. Giving them back to Spain is likened to throwing them off a cliff. In this cartoon, granting them their independence is not considered an option. The Philippines are represented as a child. The common view was that they were equal to a child, that they were mentally inferior, that they wouldn’t know what to do with independence or know how to rule themselves. The cartoonists favors keeping the Philippines.

Fascinating analysis. The cartoon is condescending. I'll add that to the model. Congratulations on having two model answers!

H1. Do you agree with how the United States finally ended the fighting in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War?

No. I don’t think that we had the right to be in the Philippines in the first place. We had no claim on the Philippines and the inhabitants didn’t want us to be there. We should have either a) left them to Spain and not fought there at all, or, b)freed them from Spain and granted them their independence.

OK, good argument.

H2.How do you think the role of newspapers in the recent election compares with the "yellow journalism" in the 1890's?

I think that the distortion of facts that helped cause the Spaniish American war was definitely present in this election. No one really knew what Obama stood for. Many of those voting for him had/have entirely different ideas about the change Obama is going to bring.

Right.

Terrific answers, the best in honors so far this week! 60/60. Well done!--Aschlafly 21:10, 15 November 2008 (EST)