Essays and Research Papers on U.S. History (1900s)

A 5 page paper that examines the events that occurred in Chicago in 1968 with emphasis on the 1968 Democratic National Convention held in that city in August of 1968. Included in the paper are the issues that were prevalent at the time - the Vietnam War, the black civil rights movement, the women's ...

An 8 page paper on the events leading up to detente and Richard Nixon's involvement. The writer describes the years prior to the Cold War, the involvement of Kennedy and Krushchev in nuclear armament, and Nixon's eventual move toward the lessening of hostilities. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

An 11 page paper on the known events of the Watergate scandal and the investigation that followed. Controversial issues concerning the Watergate tapes are discussed in great detail and the writer explains how socially devastating the incident was. This was the first time a U.S. president ever resigned but according to this paper, the ultimate ...

In 7 pages, the author makes a comparison between the Lizzie Borden and O. J. Simpson investigations, looking at the police evidence, the cities in which the crimes were committed and public opinion of the cases. Bibliography lists 8 sources. PClb&oj.wps

A thorough, 9 page analysis of the executive decision to pardon Richard Nixon. It is argued that recent research has revealed that President Ford was prepared to pardon Nixon long before he was ever even indicted. A review of documented meetings, testimony, and more is presented to show that indeed Nixon only left office knowing ...

A 4 page review of Stephen Ambrose's book entitled 'The Triumph of a Politician' in which President Richard Nixon was actually regarded as being an important leader-- successful in most respects and even largely responsible for the possibility of the Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush presidencies ! No additional bibliography.

A 30 page paper that provides an overview of the historical, political and social elements that led to the conviction of Alger Hiss as a Russian spy and the factors that led to arguments regarding a conspiracy against Hiss. This paper considers the role of men like Hugh Cronin, Richard Nixon, Whittaker Chambers, J. ...

A 7 page paper relating the historical background of the 19th century trial of spinster Lizzie Borden who is said to have brutally murdered her parents to various contradictory accounts. Particularly important to this discussion is the information presented in Pollock's play on the same subject entitled "Blood Relations." Bibliography lists 5 sources.

In 5 pages the author discusses "Blood Relations" by Sharon Pollock. "Sharon Pollock, one of Canada's leading playwrights, wrote a play about Ms. Borden. 'Blood Relations' is about Lizzie Borden, the acquitted axe murderer. Lizzie Borden is considered to be the most notorious murderess in American history. She is infamous. Lizzie ...

6 pages in length. Discusses the famous death penalty case where two Italian immigrants affiliated with an anarchist group were executed for a crime they insisted they didn't commit. To this day, there is considerable mystery surrounding this. Did they do it, or was their trial a political witchhunt? Bibliography lists five sources.

An 8 page discussion of the Sacco-Vanzetti trial -- An historic case from the early 20th century in which two Italian-Americans were unjustly sentenced to die. Several sources listed in bibliography.

Paul Robeson was a remarkably talented singer & actor who faced adversity in the form of racial prejudice and intolerance; he was labeled subversive due to his outspokenness about racial injustice and his defense of some communistic principles. In this insightful 8 page research paper, the writer argues on behalf of Robeson and in defense ...

A 12 page socio-political analysis of Lyndon B. Johnson's well-intended failure in implementing the 'Great Society' plan. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper that provides a concise look at the Robert Caro's book 'Years Of Lyndon Johnson' and considers the author's thesis and the significance of the work. No additional sources cited.

An 8 page discussion of Nancy MacLean's book entitled 'Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan.' 5 sources are added to reinforce points made.

A 5 page research paper on U.S. involvement in Vietnam which explores the events leading up to the Geneva Conference which ended a French presence in Vietnam, partitioned the country at the 17th parallel, and temporarily halted hostilities for two years. The writer demonstrates how Congress was instrumental in preventing a U.S. unilateral intervention in ...

The political objective of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), embodied in Ho Chi Minh, was the unification of Vietnam under its rule, by force if necessary. In this 9 page paper, the writer discusses Ho Chi Minh's political nationalism, American objectives in Vietnam, world interests in South Asia, relevant debate, pertinent justification, and more. ...

This 10 page paper explores Neil Sheehan's look at the Vietnam War, 'A Bright Shining Lie,' by providing a character study of John Paul Vann and examining the corruption of the Vietnamese Army. No additional sources cited.

The strategy employed in Vietnam by General Westmoreland is discussed in this 10 page paper. A major focus of the paper is on the use of attrition as a strategy with particular emphasis on the book A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan. An overview of the Vietnam conflict is also provided. Bibliography lists 5 ...

US involvement in the Vietnam Conflict occurred for a number of reasons that were more complex than simply the desire of the United States to prevent the spread of communism. In his work America's Longest War, Herring reflects on a number of common war theories to explain US involvement and to define the essence ...

An 8 page paper discussing the guerilla warfare tactics used during the Vietnam war and how they differed from those used in other wars. Also examines the effects of those tactics on U.S. troops. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page paper focusing upon Michael Bilton and Kevin Sim's 'Four Hours In My Lai' -- a book documenting one of the American military's darkest wartime activities ever-- the rape, torture, and murder of thousands of innocent Vietnamese civilians within a one-day period. The writer attempts to evaluate the book's thesis: that is ironic ...

A 16 page paper which illustrates the massacre known as the My Lai Massacre which occurred in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was an occurrence which was initially called a massacre, then a tragedy and finally nothing more than a typical incident that occurred during a time of war. It was a useless invasion ...

A 9 page analysis of the U.S. bombing policy in the Vietnam war, the subsequent loss of the war and other devastating results (human) due to the lack of a legitimate war strategy. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 3 page essay in which the writer reflects upon a documentary film about the Tet Offensive and its importance in the Vietnam War. The severity of defeat for the Vietcong (and the U.S.) are described as are some of the specific events that enabled us to be so ill-prepared. The Tet Offensive also had ...