The years from 1945 to 1974 were an era of Grand Expectations. At the end of World War II, spontaneous celebrations filled downtown streets across

1. Grand Expectations           The years from 1945 to 1974 were an era of Grand Expectations. At the end      of World War II, spontaneous celebrations filled downtown streets across      the nation. The war was over. Sons and daughters were coming home.      Democracy triumphed over fascism. The Great Depression was a memory.      Prosperity was ahead. It was time to purchase a home, start a family, and      return to work. However, despite the optimism, new concerns were on the      horizon. Select what you consider to be the most significant challenge of      this era and discuss its historical significance. Make sure to incorporate      what you learned from the Multi-Media podcast you selected this week.      Include the name of the historian, his or her central argument, the title      of the podcast, and how it relates to the topic of the week. Also,      incorporate and cite in APA format one of the primary sources in your      response that you found in the textbook.           Your initial post should be at least 150 words in length. Support your      claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly      resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of      your classmates’ posts by Day 7. In your response to your classmates,      comment on their selection of the most significant challenge. Also,      compare and contrast to your own selection.

2. Individual Influence           Every era in American history has had notable men and women who shaped      their times, for better or worse. Identify one person from this week’s      reading who you believe had a significant impact on the years from 1945 to      1974. This could include a president who introduced important policies      that changed the country, a social activist who inspired reform, or someone      else who had an important positive or negative impact on this era. Briefly      explain who this person was, their specific “individual influence” on the      times, and then discuss why you made your selection.           Your initial post should be at least 150 words in length. Support your      claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly      resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of      your classmates’ posts by Day 7. In your response to your classmates,      comment on their selection of individual influence. Also, compare and      contrast to your own selection.