If this teach was serious about TEACHING students to support their arguments with facts or supporting evidence, then the teach has to have the mental capacity to take the student's position and guide them through building arguments IN THE STUDENTS FAVOR.
It seems this teacher is engaging in BS of saying by beating up on conservative values she is teaching something. Executions will continue until moral improves.
I agree. I've had teachers like those described. They expect you to swallow everything they hand out but- suggest that dropping the Bomb on Hiroshima was dome for other than racist, imperialist reasons, and be prepared to defend your ideas against an intense attack. With supporting documents and original signed papers, and a few live vets thrown in too.
This teaches everyone to be quiet!
"...some students may have interpreted these questions as threats to their opinions..." Yeah, maybe some, eh?