HISTORY 250/ FALL 1999

MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY

PROF. FRIEDHEIM

Ty Cobb Baseball Card/ Library of Congress

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EXAMS & PAPERS

 

MIDTERM

You have examined the links between expansion and race in the late nineteenth century, discussing the video Savage Acts and analyzing the following primary source documents: 

Your midterm paper assignment: 

Based on your reading of the documents and viewing of the video, write a five-page essay describing and explaining the late nineteenth century links between: 

Put these ties about race and expansion in the context of time and place.  In other words, why in the late nineteenth century did continental expansion accelerate in the Trans-Mississippi West and overseas expansion in the Philippines and Caribbean? 

Your grade will be based on your ability to

1. Develop a clear thesis explaining the late nineteenth century links between expansion and race.

2. Amplify your thesis on the basis of rigorous examination of the above documents (e.g. quoting text documents, analyzing images, etc.).  Make sure that you incorporate all the documents and the video into your essay

3. Put your thesis in the context of time and place, explaining why policies of territorial expansion and racial domination accelerated at this point in history.

4. Bring in historical evidence and facts in addition to the five documents in order to amplify your thesis.

5. Write a well-organized essay.

DUE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20  

FINAL

 

FINAL ESSAY QUESTION:

Write an essay examining the African-American struggle for freedom, equality and power, 1945-1975 in which you assess the following questions:

What were the main outcomes of the struggle.

What were the main factors (historical events, conditions and players) shaping these outcomes.

ŽŽŽŽ

 INSTRUCTIONS: BEFORE THE EXAM:

First step: Examine the handout on the African-American struggle for freedom, equality and power.

Go to part one. Which of the listed events do you think were most important in shaping the African-Americans struggle for freedom, equality and power, 1945-1975? Which do you think were least important? Rank all the events in order of importance.

Go to part two. Which of the historical players listed do you think were most important in shaping the African-Americans struggle for freedom, equality and power, 1945-1975? Which do you think were least important? Rank all the players in order of importance.

You will develop, discuss, refine and finalize your lists between now and the in-class exam

Second step. Develop a thesis statement. Your essay should have an opening paragraph that briefly previews :

The main outcomes of the struggle for African-American freedom, equality and power, 1945-1975.

The key factors (particularly the top historical events and players on your attached rankings) shaping these outcomes.

Your argument for choosing these key factors as most important in shaping the African-American struggle for freedom, equality and power, 1945-1975.

 

INSTRUCTIONS: WRITING THE EXAM IN CLASS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15th:

You can bring a one-page outline (two sides) to the exam. You can LIST key points and facts on your outline, but you cannot write the actual text of your answer or parts of it.

First step. You will attach your thesis statement to your exam book. [You do NOT have to attach your ranked lists].

Second step.

Write the body of your essay. This is where you develop the main points in your thesis. You need to:

Describe more fully the key outcomes of the struggle for African-American struggle for freedom, equality and power, 1945-1975

Analyze cause and effect – that is how the key factors (from your ranked lists of players and events) shaped what happened.

Present arguments to support your prioritization (on your two ranked lists) of the key factors.

Provide evidence and detail to substantiate your points.