What does freedom mean? To whom should freedom be extended? How are denied rights gained? These are some of the problems the new American history exhibition explores. Based on the central idea that the history of the United States has been shaped by conflicts over what it means to be free, this new exhibition uses images, artifacts, and interactivity to explore familiar and not-so-familiar stories from the nation's past. From women's suffrage and the formation of unions, to Japanese internment, to a local school boycott.

prepare a three to four page essay. Include a cover sheet and reference page (not part of your four pages).

Part I. Introduction. Short one paragraph overview of the essay.

Part I. A review the exhibit and the central theme of protest and conflict in the struggle for freedom.

Part II: Pick ONE of the following problems and analyze its relationship to freedom today. 

a) Edward Snowdon, an IT specialist and contractor for the National Security Agency, released secrete government documents to newspapers. The documents showed massive US spying on allies and millions of phone calls in the US and Europe. Is he a traitor or a hero? What does this have to do with freedom? Freedom of information and the freedom to be secure from terrorist attacks? 

b). Conservatives closed down the government for two weeks in an attempt to get rid of Obama Care. Should health care be affordable for everyone and is this a problem of freedom? Was the Republican protest for the expansion of freedom or to limit freedom? 

c). There is a great gap in wealth in the U.S. In the past 4 years over 90% of all income gains have gone to the top 1%. Using current statistics on wealth and jobs how does this issue affect freedom. For all the problems above use exs from the exhibit to help describe your analysis.

Conclusion: What is the state of freedom in the US today and the role of protest?