I was wondering if somebody could help me improve on my answers to these questions below. Thank you.

One:

Despite Watergate, did not Richard Nixon's presidency start the Republican ascendency of the following period? Why and how did this happen?

-1. Yes it did. The Republican ascendancy began following the defeat of Barry Goldwater. The Republican landslide in Congressional and State Legislative elections in 1975, which are directly linked to NixonÕs popularity and successes, led to Republican domination of all branches of government that has now lasted for decades. Nixon was conservative (i.e., strong) on foreign policy and judicial appointments but liberal otherwise. He did many liberal things in domestic policy, but not the huge expansion in the welfare state like his predecessor. Nixon started several themes slower expansion of government benefits, strong defense.

Two:

Explore both the strengths and weaknesses of Ronald Reagan's presidency. What has made his vision so dominant ever since?

-2. The reason Ronald Reagan is still seen as the poster boy of the Republican Party is because of how decisive his actions were, when there was a conflict he threw a solution at it good or bad. Regan also put into effect Reganomics which basicly took all government control out of the marketplace essentially the republican dream, this model of economics allowed for big businesses to go into small towns and buy out all the small business thus creating a huge strife for the little people, it is believed that this model of economics is one of the leading causes for the 2008 recession as it took awhile to rebuild after that and we had a tug a war over finance from the Bushes and Clinton

Three:

A popular expression asserts that "9-11 changed everything." In your reasoned opinion, based on the text and our discussions, do you think this is an accurate reading of American History since 2001?

-3. Yes - before that, these quasi-religious, primitive tribal wars were mostly a thing of certain regions in the world, like malaria. The US was mostly a safe, prosperous, and civilized place, you could say the pinnacle of modern development and wealth. These savages finally managed to hurt it, like a monkey that got hold of a handgun. It was a shame, and a murder. I hope they're very proud of what they did. They ruined something magnificent - like some redneck shooting a peacock, just because he'd never seen one before.

They brought their primitive superstitious and savage existence to America and got it on our shoes, changing our lifestyle to be more like theirs - a 300 year setback. Bravo.

I think history will record this era as the time that terrorus split off from homo sapiens and ultimately went extinct because it couldn't keep up and fell too far behind.
That attack was the first large-scale attack on American soil since colonial times, certainly the first real attack on home soil since the USA had brought itself to fruition as a nation. So indeed a game-changer, except that a large number of Americans screamed "conspiracy theory" and tried to blame it on some government agency. (Americans are the world champion conspiracy theorists)

And it changed everything, in that the USA and Brtiain etc attacked and occupied Afghanistan, and in that the USA and Britain attacked and occupied Iraq. Those actions have helped to destabilise the Middle East, and to bring on the rise of militant Islam. Those consequences were not forseen, but are with us now.

I can definitely help you improve your answers to these questions. Let's go through each question and provide a better response:

One:

Despite Watergate, did not Richard Nixon's presidency start the Republican ascendency of the following period? Why and how did this happen?

A better answer would be:

Yes, Richard Nixon's presidency can be seen as the starting point for the Republican ascendency that followed. Despite the scandal of Watergate, Nixon had several successes and popular policies during his time in office. This contributed to the Republican landslide in the Congressional and State Legislative elections in 1974. These election victories led to Republican domination of all branches of government in subsequent years.

Nixon's conservative stance on foreign policy and judicial appointments resonated with the Republican base. Additionally, his more moderate positions on domestic policy, including a slower expansion of government benefits and a strong defense, appealed to a wider range of voters. This combination of conservative and moderate policies helped solidify Republican support and set the stage for the party's continued dominance in the years that followed.

Two:

Explore both the strengths and weaknesses of Ronald Reagan's presidency. What has made his vision so dominant ever since?

A better answer would be:

Ronald Reagan's presidency had both strengths and weaknesses. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to provide strong, decisive leadership during times of conflict. Reagan was known for his clear and unwavering stance on issues, and he was willing to take decisive action to address challenges, whether his solutions were seen as good or bad.

Reagan's economic policy, known as Reaganomics, aimed to reduce government control over the marketplace, promoting free-market principles. While this approach appealed to the Republican base, it also had its weaknesses. Some critics argue that Reaganomics contributed to income inequality, as big businesses were able to buy out small businesses, creating hardships for small entrepreneurs and consolidating economic power.

Reagan's vision has remained dominant since his presidency due to the lasting impact of his policies and his strong leadership style. His conservative principles and emphasis on limited government have continued to shape the Republican Party and resonate with a significant portion of the American population.

Three:

A popular expression asserts that "9-11 changed everything." In your reasoned opinion, based on the text and our discussions, do you think this is an accurate reading of American History since 2001?

A better answer would be:

The statement "9-11 changed everything" can be seen as an oversimplification of American history since 2001. While the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, had a profound impact on the nation, it is important to recognize that American history is complex and influenced by various factors.

The attacks on 9-11 did mark a significant turning point in American national security and foreign policy. It led the United States, along with Britain, to launch military operations in Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist networks and pursue those responsible. Subsequently, the United States and Britain also invaded Iraq, which had unintended consequences and contributed to the destabilization of the Middle East.

However, it is essential to consider other factors and events that have shaped American history since 2001. These include economic recessions, social and political movements, advancements in technology, healthcare reform, and various legislative actions. Each of these factors has contributed to the historical trajectory of the United States, and it would be inaccurate to attribute all significant changes solely to the events of 9-11.

By considering multiple perspectives and analyzing various events and factors, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of American history since 2001.