Contemporary US History Assignment 2

Assignment
2.1:Policemen of the World Thesis and
Outline
Due Week 7 and worth 70 points

After the Civil War and 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
“policemen of the world.” Using the Internet, research two (2) real-life
international incidents from the past five (5) years in which:

• The U.S. used military action
  abroad.
• Controversy existed within the American
  public regarding U.S. involvement.
• Controversy existed within the country or
  countries affected by U.S. involvement.

For the first part of this assignment you
will create a thesis statement. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence
somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your main idea to the reader.
The body of the essay organizes the material you gather and present in support
of your main idea. Keep in mind that a thesis is an interpretation of a question
or subject, not the subject itself. (Note: Please consult the Purdue OWL Website
with tips on how to construct a proper thesis; the website can be found at:

For the next part of this assignmentyou will create an outline of the main
points you want to address in this paper. This will serve as the basis for your
Assignment 2.2 Final Draft. (Note: Please use the Purdue Owl Website to assist
you with this assignment; this website can be accessed at:

Part 1
1. Write a thesis statement that is one to two (1-2) sentences long
in which you:

1. State your opinion on the significance of the two (2) real-life
   international incidents that you have researched. Justify your
   response.

Part 2
2. Write a one to two (1-2) page outline in which you:

1. Determine two to three (2-3) international events from the past five years
   that can be traced back to a foreign policy created after the Civil War.
2. List three(3) aspects of US history since 1865 that has led to the US’s rise
   as a world super power policeman.
3. List three to five (3-5) international incidents since World War II where
   America has taken on a policing role.
4. List three to five (3-5) driving forces that fueled international policy
   decisions involving the international incidents you outlined previously.
   (Consider treaties, exit strategies, elections, wars, etc.)
5. Use at least three (3) quality references. Note: Wikipedia
   and other Websites do not quality as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch
  margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or
  school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional
  instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s
  name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and
  the reference page are not included in the required assignment page
  length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment
are:

• Identifyand discuss the different ways that the Civil War, Reconstruction,
  and Industrialization after the Civil War have shaped America’s history.
• Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have
  influenced the direction of historical and social development in the United
  States.
• Recognize the major turning points in American history since the Civil
  War.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in contemporary
  U.S. history.
• Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S. history using proper
  writing mechanics.