1950's

__Socratic Seminar Questions__
1. The president of the United States shapes foreign policy, with the help of many advisors and experts. During Guns or Butter, how, in general, did your Chief Minister respond to foreign events? Did he/she take a stand and keep it? Did he/she wait to see what would happen? Did he/she step in, or did he/she stand back? Discuss how the Chief Minister’s general approach may be perceived by the public. Talk about how the Chief Minister may shape public opinion by his actions and world press statements about a given event.

2. Evaluate the validity of this statement, “international trade and common markets can be conducive to more peaceful relations.”

3. The George W. Bush administration, during its first term, engaged itself in an experiment to disprove the theory that Guns are paid for by raising taxes, and this leaves people with less money to spend on ''butter” and that in fact it was possible to attaint guns AND butter. Was Bush able to achieve a guns and butter presidency?

4. “53 % of the American workforce is female. Three generations of women have turned a thousand years of tradition on its rear. As little girls they were told to grow up and marry doctors and lawyers. Instead they grew up and became doctors and lawyers and moved out of the pink ghetto and into the executive suite. Sociologists say the new working woman is a phenomenon of our time.” What does this quote from Baby Boom say about the baby boomers? Is this description valid towards the current generation of women?

5. In, Baby Boom, Diane Keaton’s character, JC Wyatt, was being “considered” for partner, yet being a female got in her way. According to her boss, there was no way for women to “have it all” and that sacrifices would have to be made. Are women unable to be successful and still have a personal life?

6. How would the civil rights movement of the 1950s have been different if the leading organizations and leaders had not advocated peaceful protest?

7. Who was the most dangerous character in The Crucible?

8. Do you see 'fear' in the way you live? Your family lives? What are some examples? Is 'fear' a positive quality to have?

9. How was Abigail ahead of her times? Would she be a successful member of the Baby Boomers?

10. Why were the people in power (the judges) so immovable in their beliefs, which were clearly wrong? What quality is better in a leader: strength in conviction or the ability to change?