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History 202
Spring 2009
Professor Rees
Possible Midterm Exam Questions
Your midterm will consist of two of these three questions.
You will write on one of them.
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Many historians have claimed that the late-19th and early 20th centuries
mark the beginning of "modern" America. What aspects of this period
that we have learned to this point in the class can be described as modern?
More importantly, what relationship do these trends have with the important
historical events of this period? Hint: Certainly, you
will have to define the term "modern" in the course of answering this
question, preferably in the very first paragraph of your essay.
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The late-Nineteenth and early-Twentieth centuries in America can be viewed
through the prism of industrialization.
Explain the connection between industrialization and at least three
other major trends of this era such as immigration, the Westward movement,
or the role of women in society. Is this the most important concept
historians can use to understand this era or is there a better one?
Explain. Be sure to
define the term industrialization in the course of your essay.
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Most popular U.S. history tends to focus on the history of white,
American-born males. However, in
this course (both in lectures and in the textbook) we have expanded our
focus to include, women, African Americans and immigrants from all over the
world. What does this inclusive view
of history bring us that the narrower, more-traditional view of the history
of the late-Nineteenth and early-Twentieth centuries cannot.
Is including these groups in our narrative worth the cost of not
getting into greater details with respect to traditional subjects such as
Presidents, wars and big business? Be sure to include specific factual
information in the course of answering this question.
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