Starter 9.23:  Check in with the news....

Read this article in the Washington Post and look at the polling statistics.  Answer the following questions.

• Why do you think Americans fluctuate so much in their opinions on U.S. military action?  What do you think influences these changes?

USA:  Democracy or Empire?

Goals

• Identify the characteristics of democracies and empires. 
• Continue to deconstruct the question:  Is the U.S.A. a democracy or an empire?

Group brainstorm:  Democracies and Empires

Share on Board.  (Take notes!)

• Which characteristics of each do we see in the American Experience?  (Highlight)
• Do we all agree about which we are?  What are our points of disagreement?
• Is this question a false dichotomy?  Could democracy be compatible with empire?

Discuss assigned article and Dr. Grossman's Powerpoint:  
A History of US Military Interventions
What is Dr. Grossman's ideological bias?  How does he support his arguments?
How does he inform our answers to the essential questions?


BIG QUESTION:  Why do we fight?  
In groups:  Why do you think the United States engages so frequently in military conflict?  What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the most powerful military in the world?

HOMEWORK:
Read Chapter 12 of Howard Zinn AND do some general background research on the Spanish American War.