Directions: Answer the questions below, using the sentence starters for the first question in each section and the readings as evidence for the subsequent questions. Be sure to indicate where you got the evidence for each answer, so you can refer to the text in our Socratic seminar. You may use one resource of your own during the Socratic seminar. During the seminar you will be required to debate one of these questions pulled at random, additionally you may use the arguments and perspectives discussed in the seminar to structure your final essay, so take notes! The Cold War In three to five sentences explain the Cold War. After WWII... The Domino Theory suggested that if one country in a state fell to Communism then the surrounding countries would also fall to Marxist paramilitary revolutions. What was America s rationale for containing Communism and was it the right decision?
Cuba In three to five sentences explain why for the last 50 years the United States and Cuba have closed their borders to each other. After the Communist revolution in Cuba... In the United States we have historically learned that Cuba is a poverty stricken country run by an oppressive dictator, but the Time Magazine article presented Cuba as a culturally rich tourist destination with the charm of the 1950s. Why has Cuba been presented this way by the American media and government and now that the borders have been open what could happen to Cuban culture?
Iran-Contra In three to five sentences explain the Iran-Contra Affair. In 1979 the Sandinistas overthrew the American backed Somoza Dynasty in... It is clear that during the Iran-Contra affair governmental officials broke the law. Do you think that President Reagan should have been held accountable for his involvement in violating congressional orders or do you think that Oliver North acted alone?
Civil War in El Salvador In three to five sentences explain America s involvement in the Salvadoran Civil War. After leftist revolutions in both Cuba and Nicaragua America feared that. The American government supplied weapons to the Salvadoran government who then put them in the hands of children, during this conflict at least 70 million innocent people lost their lives. Did the ends justify the means in this situation, was it worth preventing the spread of communism and protecting American interests in El Salvador?
Possible Final Essay Topics: Is it important to experience other cultures regardless of how uncomfortable your journey might be? In El Salvador the government outlawed the song Casas de Carton, while in Cuba Fidel Castro and Che Guevara demanded that the entire population become literate, they welcomed American writer Ernest Hemingway and encouraged the arts. What does this say about how art influences social and political change? Does it contradict the goals of Democracy and what we are taught about Communism?
The United States has historically viewed Che Guevara as a terrorist while in many other cultures and in pop-culture in America Che is often revered as a hero. Although, Che fought for the liberation of of the working class and fought for economic equality, he also ordered the execution of between 150-500 people who disagreed with the Communist revolution in Cuba. Is Che a hero or a villain? Would you like to visit Cuba, the Caribbean or any other countries in the Central or South America? Why or why not?