Abstract
This paper explores anthropologist Elisabeth Burgos-Debray description of the Guatemalan women, Rigoberta Menchu , who describes her Indian peasant life to the author. The paper exhibits the relationship between life and the larger political struggles taking place across Guatemala and Latin America as a whole. It also describes the Civil war in this country and the persecution of Rigoberta Menchu 's family by the national security forces.

From the Paper
"The Indians constitute the majority in Guatemala, which differentiates their situation from that of most countries in Latin America where the Indians are a minority without even the most elementary rights. Still, a white minority has the power in Guatemala, and it seems likely that the fact that the majority Indians are divided into 22 different ethnic groups may have contributed to their largely powerless position in their society. Rigoberta wishes to change this situation, and this one woman is not fighting for a mythical Indian past but is instead seeking to play a part in the shaping of contemporary history (Burgos-Debray, 1983), xiii). The world into which this woman was born is a world where the people live in a subsistence economy, working the land for others and moving from place to place as they follow the work through the seasons. This is also a world at war, with Guatemala in the grips of a civil war for more than 30 years. This war affected Rigoberta directly as her father, mother, and younger brother were tortured and killed by the Guatemalan security forces that have been persecuting the peasantry."

Tags:Guatemala, everyday, life, political, struggle, Latin, America, indian, peasant, woman, americas, south, central, indian, ethnic, groups

Abstract
The paper compares and contrasts the poems "Too," America" and "I Hear America Singing" and discusses how they are all very different poems, though they share the common subject of America. The paper describes how the authors, Langston Hughes, Claude McKay and Walt Whitman make different stylistic choices in their poems. They also relay very different meanings, while still expressing patriotism and their view of America. The paper analyzes how the common theme does make them similar poems in some ways, but overall these poems express the individualism and expression of the poet writing them.

Tags:poetry, america, comparison

Abstract
This paper discusses that German aircraft began consistently bombing England, thus changing the way war was fought. The author points out that, in 1911, although America had what was considered the world's first air force, it only consisted of one plane and one pilot. The paper relates that, at the beginning, airplanes shot at each other with rifles; the addition of machine guns mounted on the topmost wing added another dimension.

From the Paper
"Airwar offered the hope of ending this nonproductive ground battles by carrying the offensive to the enemy territory. Aircraft could readily cross the lines of trenches and hit Germany's vital centers, including their industry, population, and military forces. aircraft could strike targets that would have a significant effect on the fielded armies, their supplies and armaments. This helped improve morale as well as push the Allies closer to an eventual win."

Tags:england, germany, america, bombing, reconnaissance

Abstract
The paper briefly discusses how throughout Walt Whitman's "One Song, America, Before I Go", various poetic elements evoke his patriotism and desire for America to prosper. The paper examines how through the use of symbolism and figurative language, Whitman demonstrates tremendous pride in his nationalism. In addition, the paper looks at how Whitman expresses an extreme desire to guide his country with his knowledge and ideas and how he most effectively demonstrates his nationalistic and patriotic feelings.

From the Paper
"Symbolically, the concept of singing a song for America helps to convey his message in many ways. For example, the idea that he has a song that he wants to sing communicates the idea that he has a plan for America. Much like an architect would draw the design of a plan he envisions, Whitman wants to construct his design or plan in the form of a song. Then, in the second line, he sets a joyous, almost triumphant tone by describing his "song" as "...o'er all the rest, with trumpet sound." With this, Whitman declares that he believes America to be triumphant above other nations because his song will be heard above all others. Furthermore, the "trumpet sound" carries a very thick connotation of boastful music and even nationalism as a trumpet creates boisterous tunes and is used in many typical patriotic songs. "

Tags:symbolism, explication, patriotism

Abstract
This paper discusses the effects of World War I on the shaping of politics, specifically focusing on how resentment and disillusionment had an impact on the political scene. The paper looks at why the shaping of politics started when America decided to join the war and then looks at the history of America's involvement in the war as well as the events that led caused the US to become involved in the conflict.

From the Paper
"The anger in the youth was main reason for US to adopt an isolationist policy. It had not been an isolationist from the beginning but the end of war affected the shape of politics in the country. Another important thing was the victory of Republicans after the war. This was primarily due to the rising trend in consumerism. People especially younger people had become so afraid of losing lives in wars such as WWI that most of them adopted a more careful attitude towards life marked by extra consumerism. They wanted to enjoy every minute of their time and this led to a sudden surge in spending. This also created more business opportunities and primarily for economic reasons, people started voting for Republicans."

Tags:resentment, fighting, tactics, soldiers

Abstract
This essay analyzes two of Langston Hughes' poems entitled "I, Too, Sing America" and "Po Boy Blues". The two poems are compared and contrasted and are shown to have distinct messages and themes - one positive and the other negative. The paper discusses the use of poetic techniques in general, including titles, symbolism, and tone, and relates them to both poems.

From the Paper
"Poetry is the art of writing stories, poems, and thoughts into verse with language selected for its beauty and sound, but appealing terms are only the surface of these thought-provoking compositions. Ample poems are considered successful due to the messages they contain and through the way that they are conveyed to the audience. Poetry is very abstract, full of symbolism, and holds hidden emotions, which are not evident when viewed from a fundamental point of view. This can be observed in two of Langston Hughes' poems, entitled I, Too, Sing America, and Po Boy Blues, which display that poems can be understood through their title, symbolism, and tone."

Tags:mood, poetry, style, theme

Abstract
This paper examines the effects of World Wars I & II on America's economy and human/social movements. It discusses the critical issues involved. The author expands on how the wars, especially World War II transformed the American economy, expanding the role of government. It highlights the blunting of social reform during both wars.

Tags:from, a, critical, issues, point, of, view

Abstract
This paper discusses the history of World War I. It compares three books on the subject and discusses their use, details and easiness to understand. The paper compares "A History of the American People" by Paul Johnson, "America: A Narrative History" by George Brown Tindall and David E. Shi and "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn.

From the Paper
"Zinn, however, did not go as deeply into the some of the incidents leading up to the war that were mentioned in Johnson's and Tindall's books. It is necessary to read more than Zinn's book to understand the WWI era. The best of all worlds would be a book that covers the war in an objective manner, presenting both sides, in a less formal way as Zinn does. If the Tindall/Shi book was edited down and made more reader friendly and included some of the "narratives" in Zinn's book, this would be the right approach. World War I is a difficult time to understand with all the underlying personal agendas and the ramifications that resulted from the treaties. For the layperson, it has to be clear and user friendly, as well as well-rounded."

Tags:democracy, alliance, WWI

Abstract
The paper shows how Lawrence Ferlinghetti's piece "I Am Waiting" reflects the shifting tone of American thought as the 1950s drew to an end. The paper provides the historical background of this decade, which included the Cold War, the arms race and the Red Menace. The paper illustrates how Ferlinghetti uses a self-assured blend of idealism and hope, set against a backdrop of defiance and pessimism, to bring various social problems out of the American woodwork. The writer of this paper is of the opinion that "I Am Waiting" successfully communicates the tone of this time period.

From the Paper
"The decade of the 1950s was a complex time in American history. It is an era most often characterized by paranoia, witch-hunts, complacency, and social conservatism (O'Neill 14). The emphasis on traditional values and staunch morality clashed with the severe oppression that was intentionally ignored by the powerful and privileged status quo. On the surface, America in the '50s was a place of domesticity, confidence, and willful ignorance (O'Neill 13), but this idyllic society was threatened by an undercurrent of mistrust and growing tension. Between the Cold War, the arms race, and the Red Menace, Americans were increasingly afraid of each other and the world around them, and this climate of fear created an atmosphere where conformity was one's unspoken patriotic duty. Yet there are always those who are willing to confront grim realities and voice unpopular beliefs, and nearing the end of the decade, the hypocrisy and irrationality of American culture and government was becoming increasingly unacceptable to its people (Douglas and Nowak 62)."

Tags:Cold, War, arms, race, Red, Menace, culture, religion, values, morality, entertainment

Abstract
This paper examines how the causes of World War I and World War II were not one cataclysmic event but were a multitude of causes that basically derived from Nationalism and Imperialism. It shows how these two factors led to the turmoil in Europe and growing tensions and how the outbreak of World War II is an indirect link to the ending of World War I, which led to many years of chaos in Europe. It analyzes how the resulting economic depressions were a cascade of many more economic issues that Europe and America still face today and how the most radical affect was the Cold War, a war that plagued fear upon the American population for forty five years.

From the Paper
"The first cause of World War II was the intense anger over the Versailles Treaty. This Treaty was signed on June 28, 1919 and basically held Germany responsible for creating this world war. The Versailles Treaty ordered that Germany pay for all the damages that the Allies and their governments endured as a result of this war. Germany was then ordered to cut their army down to 100,000 soldiers, as well as their navy, and do away with their air-force. Germany was also angry that their territory had to be reduced as well. The territory of Alsace and Lorraine was ceded by France and certain sections of Prussia went to present day Poland. Germany felt that this treaty was "dictated peace" and they proceeded to refuse this treaty. In doing so, the future affects would be another war. "

Tags:cold, war, versailles, treaty, germany, economic, depression