As a class, we participated in multiple case study discussions surrounding the Articles of Confederation and its efficacy. We identified the strengths and witnesses of the document, its effects on American society, and the debate over state versus federal power.

Tasked with investing $1000, we took part in a stock market simulation for the years leading up to the Great Depression. The 1920s were characterized as a time of American prosperity, and thus many Americans invested their money (whether they knew what they were doing or not) in hopes to gain more. This simulation was representation of what Americans were doing at the time.

We drafted our top 5 picks for the presidential fantasy draft based on a variety of characteristics provided by historians: public persuasion, crisis leadership, economic management, moral authority, international relations, administrative skills, relations with Congress, vision/setting an agenda, pursued equal justice for all, performance within context of times. Although around the same presidents consistently ranked in the top 5, I tried to focus on their individual characteristics to create a team with the most important attributes.