What is the author's opinion on whether or not America is an empire? How does he demonstrate/communicate his viewpoint?
How did the "United States" become "America"? This 33-minute podcast features historian Daniel Immerwahr:
American Visions: the Wilderness and the West
How do historical and artistic depictions of the American landscape connect to the idea of an American empire? Pay special attention to "manifest destiny" and the Turner Thesis.
Miss the video? See it HERE.
To help you better understand what the Turner Thesis is, the video below provides a novel approach at explanation:
An Introduction to Frederick Jackson Turner's The Significance Of The Frontier In American History from Macat on Vimeo.
And a more critical interpretation provided below from Prof. Naoko Shibusawa of Brown University:Creatures of Empire
American Mythology: A See, Think, Wonder Activity
Is the United States an empire? If so, what was the origin of this desire to expand? Could it be the idea of "manifest destiny" coupled with Frederick Jackson Turner's "frontier thesis"?
What were prison conditions like in Parchman Farm?
The following sources may give you more insight:
And/or watch an 18-minute excerpt from American Experience: Freedom Riders by clicking below:
John Dolan Interview and Letter to Dr. Dolan Assessment
If you're struggling with the 3rd requirement (conditions in Parchman Farm Penitentiary in Mississippi), you should watch this 18-minute clip from The PBS film, Freedom Riders. And/or read this article about Hezekiah Watkins, a 13-year old put on death row in that very same prison.
2001 interview with John Luther Dolan:
or Click here for improved audio.