ProQuest Platinum
Trickle-Down Economics?
The current financial crisis in the U.S. and the world has brought increasing doubts about the economic policy practiced by the Republican administration and Congress during the last eight years--Reaganomics.



What evidence is there that Reaganomics works? What evidence is there that Reaganomics has not worked over the last eight years? What alternative economic theory can be implemented today that will bring greater benefits to and expand the middle class? Let Platinum help students answer these timely questions.

SIRS Spotlights + Challenge Quests
National American Indian Heritage Month pays tribute to Native Americans' historical and contemporary achievements and revolutionary role in the development of American culture and society.

Our SIRS Spotlight of the Month promotes cultural understanding and honors Native Americans.

Not only is the 2008 presidential race a great time to become politically involved, but it's an opportunity to learn fresh political words.

Did you know that the word "ballot," the paper or card used to vote, comes from the Italian word "balla," meaning ball? Vote with your mouse at this month's SIRS Challenge Quests!

CultureGrams
Native American History & Culture
November is American Indian Heritage (Native American) Month. Despite the existence of hundreds of different tribes of Native Americans in North America, there evolved a unique and common culture that was based on respect for the Great Spirit and nature.

Lead a class discussion about the relationships generally between Native Americans and white settlers in U.S. history. Ask the following essential questions for critical thinking: Was conflict inevitable? Why do people have trouble accepting others who are different? What could have been done to reduce the negative effects of conflict?


World Conflicts Today
Fall of the Taliban
November marks the seven-year anniversary of the fall of the Taliban. Test your knowledge of Afghani history with multiple-choice questions from World Conflicts Today.

Which anti-Taliban Afghan commander was killed just days before the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.? The British and Russians struggled to increase their influence in Afghanistan. What is the name generally given to this earlier struggle? Which country's intelligence agency has traditionally supported the Taliban? Find out.

Explore additional history-related themes inside Retroview and History Happenings,
our hands-on social studies newsletters.

Historical Newspapers
Economic Depression
The current financial crisis began with the bursting of the U.S. housing bubble and high default rates on "subprime" and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). Since the late 1990s, declining lending standards, an increase in loan incentives, and a long-term trend of rising housing prices had encouraged borrowers to assume difficult mortgages.

Assign students to study some aspect of the Great Depression and the government's role in trying to hasten economic recovery. Students will want to learn how government involvement in future economies could help to prevent the conditions that lead to recessions and depressions.

Top 3 Websites
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