History Essay

Although the United States of America has become a melting pot for a diversity of cultures, its basic institutions and ideals are essentially Western. Identify a specific characteristic of American culture that originated in each of the four major periods of Western Civilization under study in this class:

1. the Ancient World (Near East and Egypt)
2. the Classical World (Greece and Rome)
3. the Middle Ages
4. the Renaissance/Reformation

In an essay, thoroughly discuss each chosen characteristic and explain its significance in the development of Western culture