Compare, analyze, and interpret a debate related to the Cold War.
-Henry R. Luce, “The American Century” (1941), in Foner, Voices of Freedom, P. 191-194.
-Henry A. Wallace, “The Century of the Common Man” (1942), in Foner, Voices of Freedom, P. 194-196.
These two documents relate to a common theme of the Cold War: America’s role in the world. They address opposing views of the global role of the United States following World War II.
Your task is to compare and contrast the sources, and formulate your own interpretation of the issues presented in the debate or disagreement between the authors of the sources. You do not necessarily have to agree or disagree with one side or the either. A very good paper, for instance, will formulate an interpretation that shows how these debates fit into the broader global political context of the changing role of the United States during the Cold War and its relation to Soviet Communism.
Here are some questions to help you think about the two sources:
– Luce wrote his piece in 1941; Wallace his in 1942. Both writers think the role of the US will change after the War. How does each writer imagine the changed role of the United States in the world once the War is over? What events or circumstances lead the writers to rethink America’s role?
– How did Luce and Wallace each characterize the threat of totalitarianism? What do they think is the relation between the global threat of totalitarianism and American interests?
– Who are their audiences? What is the message each writer is trying to convince their readers? Are they effective? Why or why not?
For the paper it is absolutely imperative that you cite your sources using one of the acceptable academic citation styles (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), and that the citations appear correctly in the body of your paper. If you fail to submit a paper with citations you will fail the assignment. You must cite your sources.
Eric Foner, Voices of Freedom, A Documentary History, Sixth Edition, Volume 2 (New York: W.W. Norton,
2017). ISBN: 9780393696929
-Henry R. Luce, “The American Century” (1941), in Foner, Voices of Freedom, P. 191-194.
-Henry A. Wallace, “The Century of the Common Man” (1942), in Foner, Voices of Freedom, P. 194-196.
