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.