Evaluate the following statement: “From the end of World War II to the late 1960s, the United States government honored the ideals of democracy at home and abroad.” You need to think about what ‘the ideals of democracy’ are. A democratic government is one characterized by self-government; in other words, one in which the people choose their own representatives through free and fair elections. But also think about ‘the ideals of democracy’ within the context of U.S. history. Democracy here has also meant a respect for the separation of powers in the federal government. And America’s founding documents—the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—emphasize things like the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as well as a belief in justice and equality. This question, then, is asking you to evaluate the ideals vs. the reality both within the U.S. and in other countries where the U.S. played a role.
