At the recent Volunteerism Summit in Philadelphia, President Bill Clinton announced, “The era of big government is over

At the recent Volunteerism Summit in Philadelphia, President Bill Clinton announced, “The era of big government is over.” His announcement followed two decades of agitation for a massive scale-back of federal government intervention and regulation, based on a presumption of harmful economic effects of federal government policy. Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the following statement:

If the U.S. economy is going to prosper in the 21st century, federal government intervention in the economy must be limited.

As evidence in support of your argument, provide one example from each of the following four periods: (1) pre-1860; (2) Civil War to WWI; (3) Interwar (1920-41); (4) post-WWII. In each example, provide an illustration of either (a) government intervention, its aims, and its effects; or (b) a group within the U.S. that called for intervention, what they hoped to achieve, and why.

Your argument (pro or con) should be clear. You should write a well-organized, cogent, and thoughtful essay. Your essay should reflect a thorough understanding of and appreciation for the historical episodes that you recount, as well as an understanding of the trends, themes, patterns, and relationships that occur in and throughout history. Pick examples that clearly support your argument.