Discussion

Respond to ONE of the four topics posted by the instructor and to at least one other student's response.

Answers must be meaningful and relevant; please do not respond by simply saying "I agree" or "I disagree" without explanation.

The Monroe Doctrine December 2, 1823.

How would the United States have enforced the Monroe Doctrine if its declaration had been immediately challenged by any of the European powers at which it was aimed? Which of the powers of Europe would have been most likely to have asserted its claim to possession of colonies in the Western Hemisphere and how would they have been able to prosecute such an assertion? Give details and be specific in your theorizing.

How a Log Cabin Was Built (Contemporary Description) 1822- A CONTEMPORARY DESCRIPTION.

For those of you with building experience, how could the building of the house described in this article have been improved? What is not described in this article that would have been absolutely necessary? Were there any luxuries that these folks had but did not require? Would it have made living easier or harder if these people had built and lived in the sort of dwellings used by the Native Americans of their region?

Dangerous Cures and the Popular Health Movement by Marie Starling.

Based on the description of the health, eating, and drinking habits of Americans, should the government had played a more active role in regulating the conditions of cities and towns or would this have been excessive governmental interference in the lives of citizens? Apply the same reasoning to the medical profession. Should the government have taken a stronger, more active role in regulating the professions that had the care of the health of citizens and could also potentially harm that health through ignorance and malpractice? Do you think the Popular Health Movement was effective? Use specific examples from the reading to support your position.

The American Woman of the Early Nineteenth Century by Timothy Crumrin and Conner Prairie Historian.

Compare and contrast the beliefs about the lives of women in the early nineteenth century with the lives of women today. How accurate were the perceptions of women at this time? How did the perceptions and expectations of society hinder or help women of this time period? Were these perceptions and expectations generated by men for women, or did women themselves produce and support these perceptions? How are the perceptions about women today alike and how are they different from those of the early 19th century? Have the changes that have come about all been positive? What are some of the negative changes, if any, that face women of today that the woman of the nineteenth century did not have to worry about? Always be specific and use examples to support your statements.