Period 7: Imperialism and Progressive Era

What legal and philosophical challenges did the Espionage and Sedition Acts pose to the interpretation of the First Amendment during WWI, considering both originalist and living constitutionalist perspectives?

In what ways did the propaganda techniques employed during World War I not only aim to finance the war and conserve energy but also fundamentally reshape public discourse and national identity in the United States?

What intricate balance did President Theodore Roosevelt navigate in implementing his "Big Stick" diplomacy, and how did it reflect broader debates about the role of the United States in global affairs during the early 20th century?

What were the latent and manifest consequences of Wilson's vision to dismantle existing power structures under the banner of "New Freedom," particularly as they were reflected in the trajectory of post-war international relations and domestic policies?

How did the philosophical tensions between Booker T. Washington's accommodationist approach and W.E.B. Du Bois's advocacy for immediate civil rights exacerbate existing racial inequalities in the "New South" during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

In what subtle yet profound ways did the arguments for and against imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries reflect underlying anxieties about American identity, exceptionalism, and the nation's role in shaping the global order?

How did the legacy of the Spanish-American War not only reshape the geopolitical landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries but also sow the seeds for future conflicts and diplomatic challenges in the United States' relationship with its former colonies and other nations?

In what complex ways did the Progressive Era's reform movements simultaneously address systemic inequalities and inadvertently reinforce existing social hierarchies and prejudices, particularly concerning race, class, and immigration?

What intricate web of factors led to the United States' entry into World War I, and how did these underlying causes interact with the ostensibly direct reason to shape American involvement in the conflict?

How did the Treaty of Versailles represent a fundamental departure from or a partial realization of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points, and what were the long-term consequences of these discrepancies for international stability and the future of American foreign policy?

What underlying currents of intellectual thought, sociological theory, and emerging scientific paradigms influenced the muckrakers of the Progressive Era, shaping their investigative methods, analytical frameworks, and ultimate visions for social reform?

How did the Red Scare and Palmer Raids following World War I reflect a complex interplay of political opportunism, social anxieties, and ideological conflicts, and what enduring impact did they have on civil liberties, immigration policies, and the broader landscape of American political discourse?

How did the concept of the "New South" represent both continuity and change in the post-Reconstruction era, and to what extent did it succeed in overcoming the entrenched legacies of slavery, racial inequality, and economic dependence that had defined the region for centuries?

What were the underlying economic and sociopolitical factors that fueled labor disputes in the late 1800s, and how did these conflicts reflect broader tensions between capital, labor, and the state in an era of rapid industrialization and urbanization?

What were the fundamental tenets of the Populist Party platform, and how did they challenge the prevailing economic and political orthodoxies of the late 19th century while also reflecting the specific grievances and aspirations of agrarian communities in the face of industrialization and urbanization?

How did the foreign and domestic policies of Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson reflect both continuities and departures in American foreign policy, particularly in terms of interventionism, economic diplomacy, and the promotion of American values abroad?

What specific factors precipitated the Spanish-American War, and how did these factors intertwine with broader historical trends such as American imperialism, Cuban nationalism, and the sensationalism of yellow journalism to ignite the conflict?

What theoretical frameworks help explain the rise of imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, considering perspectives from political science, economics, and sociology?

How did the major reform movements during the Progressive Era address the multifaceted challenges of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration, and what were the inherent limitations and unintended consequences of their approaches to addressing issues such as anti-trust regulations, government corruption, workers' rights, urban poverty, temperance, and racism?

Evaluate the nuanced arguments for and against imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, considering ethical, economic, strategic, and racial dimensions.

In what fundamental ways did the US home front during the Great War transform American society, and how did lasting structural changes emerge amidst the fervent patriotism and wartime mobilization?

How might John Rawls's theory of justice as fairness be applied to evaluate the ethical implications of the Treaty of Versailles, particularly in relation to its impact on national sovereignty, economic reparations, and the self-determination of peoples?

In what key respects did the Zimmermann Telegram strategically alter the calculus of US neutrality at the beginning of World War I, accounting for public opinion, diplomatic strategy of the Wilson administration, and existing international law?

How did Upton Sinclair's portrayal of the meatpacking industry in The Jungle catalyze broader reforms during the Progressive Era, and what were the unexpected effects of these reforms on labor practices, food safety regulations, and consumer behavior?

How did the limitations inherent in the Hepburn Act of 1906 regarding railroad regulation reveal underlying tensions between progressive ideals and established corporate power?

What role did mutual aid societies play in the lives of immigrants during the Progressive Era, and how did their functions complement or conflict with those of formal social welfare organizations and government agencies?

How did the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Sherman Antitrust Act evolve during the Progressive Era, and what were the long-term consequences of these judicial decisions for the balance of power between government, business, and labor?

What unique difficulties did women face in organizing for labor rights during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, considering intersectional factors such as gender, race, class and legal constraints that existed at the time?

How accurately does Frederick Jackson Turner's "Frontier Thesis" explain the trajectory of American Imperialism?

Assess the claim that dollar diplomacy was more detrimental in the long run than big stick diplomacy.

What was the prevailing US mindset at the onset of WWI?

How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Fascism?

How and why did the US support the war effort during WWI?

How did racism create limitations in the Progressive Era?