American Lit After 1865
Research Project
The Great Depression is a major defining moment in both American history and literature. In order to
better understand this time period, each student will complete a research project on a specific topic
related to the time-period and present his or her findings to the class in an organized presentation.
Below you will find a list of the seven possible topics. Read each carefully and choose which you will
research and present. Your topic selection is due to the instructor by Sept 23rd.
As you conduct your research, remember to assess your sources and differentiate between valid and
reliable sources versus useless and unreliable sources. Do not cite general-interest websites, wikis, or
student “help” sites. Because of the nature of this assignment, your best resources may be those found
at the college library’s Databases page, especially the Gale Virtual Reference Library. Contact the library
and/or the instructor for help as needed. Be sure to cite your sources in MLA-style!
You will present your findings in two ways—as a 3-page minimum MLA-style research essay, and as a
five-minute minimum class presentation, complete with some kind of visual aid. Grading will be 50% the
essay and 50% presentation.
Topics: Choose one of the following topics
1. Jim Crow Laws: There History, Guiding Policies and Impact on Blacks –
- Explain what Jim Crow Laws were and how/where/why they originated. Who was Jim Crow? What
were the original laws/policies? - What impact did Jim Crow laws have on African Americans and what
rights did they violate? How did whites/states defend Jim Crow laws?
2. The Ku Klux Klan: Its History and Its Methods of Instilling Fear –
- Explain where the Ku Klux Klan originated in the United States. What was their mission and who were
its members? Provide significant historical facts about the group. - What impact did the KKK have on life
in America (particularly on African Americans and minorities)? What methods did they use in order to
promote their agenda? - What influence did the KKK have on local governments and people in power?
3. The Stock Market Crash—
-What was “Black Tuesday? What caused the stock market to crash? Had it happened before?
Where/when? Could the stock market crash have been prevented? How? - What impact did the stock
market crash have on Americans and life in America? Explain some of the tragic events that occurred
immediately after the Crash. What was the economic and cultural impact on the wealthy, as opposed to
the working masses?
4. The Dust Bowl: The Impact on Economic Prosperity-- What was the Dust Bowl? Where did it take place and when? Who was directly affected by it? - What
impact did the Dust Bowl have on life in America? How is it connected to the Great Depression? Could it
have been prevented? If so, how? Have we done things since then to prevent it from happening again or
could it still happen? - How did Herbert Hoover deal with this natural disaster and the people involved?
What were “Hoovervilles” and why were they called that? Who were the “Okies”? Explain the problems
that arose in the country in places like California as a result of the Dust Bowl, the “Okies,” and migrant
farming.
5. Roosevelt’s Political Power in the Wake of the Economic Collapse—
-Explore and explain how the Great Depression became a foothold for FDR and how he was able to
capitalize on the crisis to forge consensus across very diverse political regions, especially in his first two
terms. What were the long-term effects on politics? How did the redrawing of the political map affect
later politics in the United States? What group most opposed FDR’s leadership? Which groups had the
most to gain, both politically and economically? How did support for FDR change during his presidency?
6. Public Works as Economic Relief—
- Explain how public works were used as an economic kickstarter and jobs-creation device. What steps
did the federal government take to use public works to help stabilize the economy and provide poverty
relief? What was the economic effect? Was it effective? Would have such programs been able to
provide long-term stabilization if the war in Europe had not revitalized the American industrial
economy? What was the public reaction to such programs? What was the cultural impact of such
programs? How did such programs influence and help local economies? What were some of the longlasting effects on local public works and communities?
7. Brown v. Board of Education: A Landmark Case and Its Impact on Education Rights
- Explain/summarize what the case was (i.e. who was involved, what the main points of the case were,
when it occurred, what the final decision was, etc.) What problems did Linda Brown encounter in
Topeka that eventually resulted in this case? - What were “segregated schools”? Why were they
created? What right does the Fourteenth Amendment give citizens? - Why was Brown v. Board of
Education such a significant case in terms of its impact on education and the rights of Blacks?
- How did Brown v. Board of Education change the legal definition of “equality” and advance the Civil
Rights Movement for Blacks?