(note especially the diagnosis of problems and the groups blamed).
As you look at these resources, try to figure out how your paticular character would react to the issues as presented. In the case of the Grover Cleveland Second Inaugural Address, think about it in relationship to the chapter "Striving" in Schlereth, and to the analyses of "The Strenuous Life" by Teddy Roosevelt, and Bederman which were assigned for Wednesday of last week.
For Wednesday, May 1
Read, in Chambers,
Chapter 2, sections "The Weakened Spring
of Government," and "Politics in the
Depression Decade, " pp. 38-55
....in Fink,
Political Culture: Public Life and the
Conduct of Politics pp. 167-179
We'll spend a little time discussing the Spanish American War and then begin a discussion of the politics of the decade, which we'll continue into Friday of this week. The political focus will center on two elections: those of 1892 and 1896. You will want to think about the issues and personalities involved from the standpoint of your character, as well as from the vantage of 2002.
For Friday, May 3
VISIT and Peruse Thoroughly:
1896: The Presidential Campaign This project by students and faculty at Vassar College is remarkably rich. There is more here than I can reasonbly expect you to cover entirely. I would, howver, like to have each of you look over the cartoons, and then familiarize yourselves with one of the leaders and issues as suggested on the table below:
