During the 1940s and 1950s there was a "witch hunt" against so called communists in America, led by Joseph McCarthy. In 1947 the House Un-American Activities Committee started an investigation of suspected Communists in the film industry. ... Everyone suspected that Communists would try to gain access to the minds of Americans through motion picture industry because of its influence on so many people. ... Many of those suspected were government workers, college professors, playwrights, Hollywood screenwriters, actors and actresses, artists, musicians, religious minorities such as Jewish pe...

• Word Count: 813
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

He was one of the greatest leaders in American History. ... He had a lasting influence on American political institutions, most importantly in setting the precedent of vigorous executive action in time of national emergency. ... He also studied books on grammar and acquired a lifelong taste for the poetry of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. ... But, almost immediately, Governor John Reynolds of Illinois called for volunteers to put down a rebellion of the Native American Sauk and Fox peoples led by Chief Black Hawk. ...

• Word Count: 810
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Brilliant, just brilliant," said Jules Feiffer, Cartoonist, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. ... When the minor terrorizing began as early as 1935, many Jews wanted America to come to their safety or at least be able to flee to America for a safe, free life. ... Many opposed this idea, feeling that it would cause more problems for the Americans. ... Across America, propaganda was spread blaming the Jews for everything, including the depression because they took so many of the American"s jobs. Many people in America were as racist toward Jews, as the Nazis were. ...

• Word Count: 2087
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Giovanni's Room told of a white American expatriate and his coming to terms with his homosexuality. ... First, in 1968, he published Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone as a bitter account of American racism. ... (Both of these recent events have increased African-American political awareness and unity.) ... Essentially, Baldwin is not particularly dramatic, but he can be extremely eloquent, compelling, and sometimes irritating as a playwright committed to his approach to life. ... While African-American anger is definitely a part of Blues for Mr. ...

• Word Count: 1677
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892), American poet, born near Haverhill, Massachusetts, and largely self-educated. ... Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) - American poet, one of the most popular and celebrated poets of his time. ... Langston Hughes (1902-1967) - American writer, known for the use of jazz and black folk rhythms in his poetry. ... Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) - American poet and biographer, known for his unrhymed free verse which uses precise and vivid images to portray the energy and brutality of American urban industrial life. ... Marianne Moore (1887-1972) - American poet, n...

• Word Count: 1931
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School