Abstract
This paper discusses documentaries as a form of expression which were introduced in the New Deal era and the Depression era. These were times when the nation needed hope and needed to understand the tragedy and stress they were going through. Documentaries were also a mode of transcribing history and revealing realistic the situation to gain a future understanding of the time. The documentary mode of expression was as much for the people as it was for the government. This paper studies this matter in-depth and concludes that the documentaries and history at the time were stated clearly from the governmental point of view.

From the Paper
"When we view the media forms of the times we realize the strength the people had in that era. As the generation of the future we realize that while the generation of the past was termed as the "Greatest generation" it can also be called and at times is termed as the "Lost Generation." Today, the youth are shown as disgruntled and violent but though the nationalism prominent in the past may overshadow the turbulence, the fact remains that a thorough analysis of the documentaries will show that the past too had its share of problems. It is said that the media of every era will portray the society and culture of its times. A study of the 1930s media reports shows that the Depression era was not as 'great' for the people living in it. ''(A) generation, numbering in the millions, has gone so far in decay that it acts without thought of social responsibility,'' historians George Leighton and Richard Hellman proclaimed in a much-quoted Harper' s Monthly article in 1936. ''High-school kids are armed, out for what they can get . . . . The Lost Generation is even now rotting before our eyes.'' In 1935, Columbia University President Nicholas Butler summed up the grave ''youth problem'': ''Day by day the newspapers report one grave crime after another, one moral delinquency after another, and one dereliction of duty after another.'' "

Tags:Great, Depression, cultural, governmental, society, documentary, expression, New, Deal, documentary

Abstract
This paper examines how "The History Book" video presents an historical analysis of American and world history, where chronological timelines are based on significant and crucial events that have affected and influenced the historiography, not only of human society in general, but American society as well. It looks at how the documentary is divided into six major divisions, each of which illustrates a major development of human history and is abstractly, but aptly, titled according to its relevance to human society.

From the Paper
"An analysis of the documentary shows that there are two prevailing themes in which history was depicted, which are all thematic or theme-based in categorization. The first prevailing theme is that world history is connected largely with American society, interspersing significant events in America along with the discussion of significant events around the world. The second theme, which is the main focus of the documentary, is the discussion of history into three main components: social, political, and economic developments in human society. However, these three main components focus largely on the history of destruction and world domination. In effect, The History Book provides a critical analysis of human history, deviating from the functionalist-constructivist format often followed by history books."

Tags:documentary, america, feudalism, iraq

Abstract
This paper addresses the Battle of Antietam in terms of its significance as a military victory, and how this battle helped to change the conduct of war during its era. This paper demonstrates that the fighting tactics used by the Union Army at the Battle of Antietam helped prove that a small, maneuverable fighting force could win over superior firepower, demonstrating that a lack of strategy could not be compensated through weaponry. Through doing so, it can be seen how the Battle of Antietam helped redefine war protocol to a significant degree.

Tags:AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / MILITARY, battle of antietam

Abstract
The paper begins with a synopsis of the life and history of Cleopatra VII. It then goes on to explain how Marc Antony's relationship with the Queen of Egypt was the main cause of the Battle of Actium. The increasing tension between Marc Antony and Octavian is studied and the course of the Battle of Actium is followed, showing how Cleopatra acted as a catalyst for the commencement of the battle.

From the Paper
"In the history of Egypt, Cleopatra VII was considered as the "Last Pharaoh" of Egypt, particularly, the last descendant of the Ptolemaic rule. Cleopatra's life history is a series of numerous alliances and relationships with different men, although one of the most prominent men who got involved with Cleopatra is Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, all Roman rulers during the reign of the Roman Empire. In Egyptian history, there have been several queens named Cleopatra, although the seventh queen, who was Cleopatra VII, was the only one who became "influential" and "famous" (Tour-Egypt Monthly 1996). Known as Cleopatra VII Tryphaena, Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy XIII Auletes, reigning King of Egypt during the year 51 BC. Cleopatra's father left a will, which states that Cleopatra was to be the heiress to her father's kingdom, and the heir will be Ptolemy XIV, Cleopatra's younger brother."

Tags:life, history, reign, Egypt, Roman, empire, Marc, Antony, Octavian, cause, queen

Abstract
This paper addresses the Battle of Antietam in terms of its significance as a military victory, and how this battle helped to change the conduct of war during its era. This paper demonstrates that the fighting tactics used by the Union Army at the Battle of Antietam helped prove that a small, maneuverable fighting force could win over superior firepower, demonstrating that a lack of strategy could not be compensated through weaponry. Through doing so, it can be seen how the Battle of Antietam helped redefine war protocol to a significant degree.

Tags:AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / MILITARY, battle antietam impact

Abstract
This paper use the documentary film, "Capturing the Friedmans", to define and examine the documentary film genre. The paper analyzes "Capturing the Friedmans", and discusses what the family's home movies reveal about contemporary American family life and the dynamics of the family relationships.

From the Paper
"According to Bill Nichols, every film is essentially a documentary, but true documentaries, as opposed to wish-fulfillment fictions, represent a unique genre of film that engages with the world as it exists in reality. Nichols says that the documentary engages with the world by representing it in one of three ways. First, documentaries offer a likeness or depiction of the world that bears a recognizable familiarity. Secondly, these films stand for or represent the interests of others. Third, some documentaries may represent the world..."

Tags:Documentary film, Capturing the Friedmans

Abstract
This essay examines the question of the presentation of film and looks at the topic of truth within the documentary film. The writer considers the words of Errol Morris, the director of 'The Thin Blue Line', who believes that documentaries can be as personal as fiction film making. The writer discusses that Morris challenges the concept that objective truth may be captured through film.

From the Paper
"Errol Morris, director of 'The Thin Blue Line', has criticized the cinema verite style of documentary, arguing that: "There is no reason why documentaries can't be as personal as fiction filmmaking and bear the imprint of those who made them. Truth isn't guaranteed by style or expression. It isn't guaranteed by anything". In making this argument, Morris is not only challenging the idea that objective truth can be captured through film, but that the generic line between fictional film and documentary film can often be extraordinarily blurred."

Tags:film, documentary, truth

Abstract
The Battle of Antietam, both directly and indirectly, was the most decisive battle of the U.S. Civil War. This paper examines military and political consequences of this battle and how these effected the remainder of the war and the political future of the country.

From the Paper
"The battle of Antietam was a pivotal point in the American Civil War. A victory by either the Union or the Confederacy would have severe and long-lasting implications for both sides. The battle of Antietam in September of 1862 resulted in a significant military success for the Union army, the failure of Britain and France to recognize the Confederacy as an independent nation, and Lincoln s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, making Antietam the most decisive battle of the Civil War."

Tags:antietam, battle, civil, confederacy, emancipation, lee, lincoln, proclamation, robert, us, war

Abstract
This paper introduces and analyzes the film "Midway" directed by Jack Smight. Specifically, it discusses the film and its depiction of the historical battle of Midway. The paper points out that "Midway" is a historical film that uses archival footage to make the action seem more realistic. The paper claims that the historical perspective of this film is overall very accurate, but that there are some lapses in truth. It argues that Hollywood melodrama makes some of the information in the film questionable at best. The paper concludes that, to watch the film for entertainment makes sense, but to base historical fact on the film will only disappoint and misinform the viewer.

From the Paper
"The film shows how military choices and tactics led up to the battle, and how, for the first time, the battle was essentially fought from the air, with the two navies never actually seeing each other. For this reason, the battle is extremely historic, and that is one of the reasons the filmmakers chose to create the film. In addition, it seems in the 70s that there was considerable anti-war sentiment after the war in Vietnam and college unrest, and several WWII films were created during this time, such as "Tora, Tora, Tora!" (1970) which tells the story of the Pearl Harbor attacks from the Japanese point of view, and "Patton" (1970), which tells the story of the life of General George Patton. It seems that Hollywood was attempting to create more patriotism in America by reminding Americans of the great victories during World War II, and this film fits into that category quite nicely."

Tags:documentary battle history, World War II

Abstract
This paper explains that, in contemporary American society, the use of images to learn history has been under-valued as exemplified by the relative under-appreciation for the art of John Trumbull, an American painter, architect and author, whose paintings of major episodes in the U.S. War of Independence form a unique record of that conflict's events and participants. The author points out that Trumbull's most famous work is his documentary painting, "The Declaration of Independence", finished in 1836, which is a familiar image in American popular iconography. The paper describes in detail the paintings "Declaration of Independence", "The Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown" and "The Battle of Bunker's Hill"; each of these paintings realistically depicts not only the scenes but also the historically correct portraiture of the participants.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Biography Information
Early life
Painting Career
"The Declaration of Independence"
Avenues of Fame
Misnaming
Description of Painting
Portraiture
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
Members of Congress
Actual Scene
"Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown"
Description of Painting
Portraitures
Cornwallis
O'Hara
General Lincoln
Actual Scene
"The Battle of Bunker's Hill"
Description of Painting
Portraiture
General Putnam
British Officers
Howe
Clinton
Small
Pitcairn
Actual Scene
Conclusion

From the Paper
""The Battle of Bunker's Hill" is also among Trumbull's most famous paintings. This painting is composed of many figures in close combat, and the painting's organization lies along a sweeping diagonal. Moreover, the dramatic contrasts of light and shadow movingly culminate in the highlighted soldier dying in the arms of a comrade.This was the first of Trumbull's Revolutionary War masterpieces to be finished, and it was also painted in the studio of Benjamin West in London. It was completed in March 1786, although the origin of the portraiture in this painting is less known than that of the two aforementioned Revolutionary War paintings. For example, it is unknown where Trumbull obtained the likeness of General Warren, although it is probable that he copied a portrait by Copley."

Tags:record, documentary, scenes, portraiture, under-valued