Unit 10 DBQs
DBQ 1: Domestic Turmoil and the Vietnam War
Prompt:
Evaluate the causes and consequences of the Vietnam War on U.S. domestic politics and society from 1960 to 1975.
Document Set:
1. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964)

• ​Excerpt emphasizing Congress’s support for military action:
  • The resolution states that "Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression."
    archives.gov

2. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "Beyond Vietnam" Speech (1967)

• Critique of the war’s impact on civil rights and poverty:
  • In his speech, Dr. King stated, "I speak out against this war because I am disappointed with America. There can be no great disappointment where there is no great love."
    crmvet.org

3. Protest Signs from the 1969 Moratorium March on Washington

• Photographs showing anti-war slogans like “Make Love, Not War”:
  • Photographs from the Moratorium March on Washington held on November 15, 1969, depict protesters holding various anti-war signs and making peace signs.
    digitalcollections.briscoecenter.org

4. Memo from the Pentagon Papers (1971)

• Revealing doubts about U.S. success in Vietnam:
  • The Pentagon Papers revealed systematic lying to the American people by four U.S. Presidents, from Harry Truman to Lyndon Johnson, indicating internal doubts about the U.S. success in Vietnam.
    newyorker.com

5. Nixon’s "Silent Majority" Speech (1969)

• Defense of U.S. involvement in Vietnam:
  • In his speech, President Nixon addressed the nation, stating, "Tonight I want to talk to you on a subject of deep concern to all Americans and to many people in all parts of the world—the war in Vietnam."
    voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu

6. Kent State Shooting Photos and Eyewitness Accounts (1970)

• Impact of anti-war protests turning violent:
  • Eyewitness accounts and photographs from the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, provide detailed descriptions of the events and their impact.
    ideastream.org

7. Congressional Testimony from Vietnam Veterans Against the War (1971)

• Accounts of atrocities and questioning U.S. goals:
  • John Kerry, representing the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 22, 1971, articulating a growing disenchantment with the Vietnam War and delivering a blistering indictment of the reasoning behind its prosecution.
    americanyawp.com​

DBQ 2: The Rise of Conservatism in the 1980sPrompt:
Evaluate the causes of the rise of conservatism in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s and its impact on domestic and foreign policy.
Document Set:

1. Phyllis Schlafly’s A Choice Not an Echo (1964)
   • Advocacy for conservative principles and opposition to feminism.
2. Ronald Reagan’s First Inaugural Address (1981)
   • Vision of limited government and economic renewal.
3. Data on Inflation and Unemployment Rates, 1973-1983
   • Economic struggles before and during Reagan’s presidency.
4. Political Advertisement by the Moral Majority (1980)
   • Focus on traditional values, anti-abortion, and prayer in schools.
5. Chart of Federal Spending on Defense vs. Social Programs, 1980-1988
   • Shift in budget priorities under Reaganomics.
6. Reagan’s "Evil Empire" Speech (1983)
   • Articulating a moral justification for confronting the Soviet Union.
7. Critique from Senator Edward Kennedy
   • Opposition to Reagan’s economic and social policies.

DBQ 3: The End of the Cold War and U.S. Global DominancePrompt:
Evaluate the extent to which the end of the Cold War reshaped the United States’ global role between 1980 and 1991.
Document Set:

1. Mikhail Gorbachev’s Glasnost Speech (1986)
   • Explanation of reforms in the Soviet Union.
2. Reagan’s "Tear Down This Wall" Speech (1987)
   • Call for the removal of the Berlin Wall as a symbol of the Cold War’s end.
3. Photograph of the Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
   • Images of celebrations symbolizing the Cold War’s conclusion.
4. Excerpts from the Strategic Defense Initiative Announcement (1983)
   • Reagan’s proposal to use technology in the arms race.
5. George H.W. Bush’s "New World Order" Speech (1991)
   • Vision of U.S. leadership in the post-Cold War world.
6. Data on U.S. Military Interventions Post-1990
   • Persian Gulf War and humanitarian missions.
7. Critique from Noam Chomsky
   • Concerns about U.S. hegemony and militarism after the Cold War.

How to Use These DBQs

1. Introduction Lesson: Review the DBQ format, including thesis writing, document analysis, and evidence incorporation.
2. Scaffolded Practice: Assign groups to analyze specific documents before writing.
3. Timed DBQ Writing: Challenge students to construct complete essays under timed conditions.
4. AI Support:
   • Use tools like ChatGPT to generate thesis drafts or brainstorm evidence.
   • Analyze document themes or biases with AI-enhanced tools for deeper insights.

lobal politics.