The American Policing Attribute
The previous assignments focused on domestic matters in US history. This last
assignment explores America’s international role in recent decades. By the mid-
20th century, the United States had become the dominant force in international
relations. Some have argued that the United States’ military functions as the world’s
“police.” This assignment covers the manner in which this shift occurred and the
consequences the United States faces as a result of its status as “policeman of the
world.” One can identify early steps this direction well before World War II, but in this
paper focus on the period from the 1940s to the present. Take one of the positions as
suggested below, draw from the sources listed, and present a paper with specific
examples and arguments to demonstrate the validity of your position.
Possible position—in each case you can take the pro or con position:
1. The American “policing” role developed because of the Cold War, but it became primarily a
means for protecting and assisting economic interests for itself and its allies as illustrated by
recent events as well as earlier ones.
2. The American “policing” role has been exercised primarily to protect vulnerable peoples and
regions from powerful oppressors or from regional chaos, as illustrated by recent events as well
as earlier ones.
3. The American “policing” role has had noble intentions and ultimate success during the Cold
War, but in fighting terror it has gotten off track with some severe consequences.
4. A position you develop on this issue with the approval of your instructor.
After giving general consideration to your readings and your research, select one of the
positions above as your position—your thesis. (Sometimes after doing more thorough
research, you might choose the reverse position. This happens with critical thinking and
inquiry. Your final paper might end up taking a different position than you originally
envisioned.) Organize your paper as follows, handling these issues:
1. The position you choose (from the list above)—or something close to it—will be the thesis
statement in your opening paragraph.
2. To support your position, use four specific examples from different decades between 1950 and
the present. (At least one example must be from the last ten years).
3. Explain why the opposing view is weak in comparison to yours.
4. Consider your life today: In what way does the history you have shown shape or impact issues
in your workplace or desired profession? (This might be unclear at first since it is foreign policy.
But, super-power status does inevitably provide advantages in a global economy.)
Length:
The paper should be 600-to-850 words in length. This normally means 2-to-3 pages for
the body of the paper. (The title page and Sources page do not count in these
calculations.) Double-space between lines. Format instructions are below.
Top
Research and References:
You must use a MINIMUM of four quality academic sources; the Schultz textbook must
be one of them. Two of them must come from the online library—either those library
sources listed or others. Your other source should be drawn from the list provided
below. This is guided research, not open-ended Googling. You will have a list of
Sources at the end, using the SWS form. You will have short, SWS-style in-text citations
appropriately placed in the body of the paper. Except as your instructor might direct,
don’t use other sources for your paper than those listed here. (Of course, for “starter
research” you can read many sources.)
Top
Source List for Assignment 3:
You must use a MINIMUM of four quality academic sources; the Schultz textbook must
be one of them. Two of them must come from the online library—either those library
sources listed or others. Some sources are “primary” sources from the time period
being studied. Some sources below can be accessed via direct link or through the
primary sources links on Blackboard. Each week has a different list of primary sources.
For others, they are accessible through the permalink to the source in our online:
Sources below having libdatab.strayer.edu as part of the URL have a permalink to that
source in our university's online library.
SWS Form for the textbook: Kevin M. Schultz. 2018. HIST: Volume 2: U.S. History since 1865. 5 th ed.
G. H. W. Bush. March 6, 1991. Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Cessation of
the Persian Gulf
Conflict. http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/bushnwo.html
J. F. Dulles. Jan. 2, 1954. Secretary Dulles’ Strategy of Massive
Retaliation. http://college.cengage.com/history/wadsworth_9781133309888/unprotected/ps/dulles.html
M. Klare. July 15, 2002. Endless
Military Superiority. http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tru
e&db=a9h&AN=6926412&site=eds-live&scope=site
C. Paul. 2008. Marines on the Beach: The Politics of U.S. Military Intervention Decision
Making. eBook. http://libdatab.strayer.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db
=nlebk&AN=275009&site=eds-live&scope=site
C. Powell. Feb.
Answer preview:
Word: 950