I. Major Essay (Answer 1 of 3 for 40 points)
1. I have described the period of American history from 1877-1920 as the “emergence of modern America.” Who or what emerged? Discuss the era in terms of its political, social, demographic, technological, and cultural changes and discuss key issues that remained unresolved.
2. What kinds of Americans made up the ranks of the progressive movement? What were their intellectual and ideological origins? What were their political and social goals? What sorts of organizations did they form? Evaluate their “scientific” approach to solving social problems. How did they spread the progressive reform message? Compare Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as representatives of two strains of national progressivism. Compare their personalities, techniques, and political, economic, and social goals and philosophies.
3. Some have argued that the United States had become an imperial and major world power by the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Who were the proponents and opponents of American expansion, and what were their reasons? Discuss economic, emotional, political, and strategic factors. Give examples of how this expansionist sentiment manifested itself in Latin America and Asia and explain how and why the United States emerged as a new world power.
II. Short Essays (Answer 4 of 8 for 40 points)
1. What was Populism and to what extent can one considered it a success or a failure? Explain
2. Americans have a reputation for “exploitation.” Do you agree with this characterization? Discuss whether whites exploited the West in terms of buffalo, mineral ore, land, and the indigenous peoples, including human labor power. What efforts were made to protect the environment? Were conservation and preservation strategies successful?
3. The 1920s has been called the first “modern” decade—is this true or were the 20s more traditional? What were some of the tensions between “modernity” and “tradition” and between “radical” and “conservative” tendencies and why did those tensions exist?
4. Using examples from the railroad, steel, and oil industries, describe changes in the second half of the nineteenth century that resulted in the vast expansion of the scale of industry. Include financing, management, manufacturing operations, working conditions, the labor force, the role of the businessman, and marketing.
5. Was the “New South” in fact new? What was life like in the South in the latter half of the nineteenth century? How did federal and state government react to social and economic problems? Would you consider the fight against Jim Crow a success or failure and why?
6. What were the major social problems facing the United States in the late nineteenth century? Explain to what extent the federal government attempted to address those problems.
7. Would you consider Andrew Carnegie and men like him (Morgan, Frick, Rockefeller, Gould, Vanderbilt, etc.) as Robber Barons or Captains of Industry (or both), why? How did such individuals help and hurt society? How did government respond?
8. Discuss the causes (pull and push factors) and effects (changes) of the “new immigration.”
III. Identify (Answer 4 of 8 for 20 points)
1. Edward Bellamy and Henry George
2. Wounded Knee
3. Vertical and horizontal integration
4. Plessy v. Ferguson
5. New popular culture and entertainment
6. Big business
7. Andrew Carnegie and William Graham Sumner
8. Patronage and civil service reform
Note: You should write roughly 3-5 pages for the long essay; 1-2 pages for each short essay, and 1-2 solid paragraphs for each identification. For your long essay, be sure to reference (make use of) at least 2 primary documents and for each short essay be sure to reference (make us of) at least 1 primary document. (You do not have to go into great depth and detail, but show the relevance or importance of these documents in your essay.) For the IDs, emphasize the importance or significance of the term and include the “who, what, where, when, why, how” as applicable. For all your answers, make extensive use of class notes, information from Yawp and Yawp’s primary sources, and observations drawn from films and power points. I am looking for your opinions and analysis supported by numerous and specific examples (to support your arguments and ideas) from Yawp, primary sources, class notes, films, and power points. Answer the questions thoroughly and demonstrate that you have read Yawp, including relevant primary documents, watched the films, and that you understand the main ideas and key concepts discussed in class, and finally it is very important to include your own thoughts, opinions, and analysis. Use Yawp, the films, class notes, power points, and resources I have on Canvas, but do NOT plagiarize—do NOT copy/paste or use internet sources. The work is to be your own—do NOT work with others on this. Be sure to identify (number or label or copy/paste the question or item for each section and each answer) so I can identify what you are answering.
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