HIST405 United States History

HIST405 United States History

Week  1 Discussion

The Cost of Expansion

Explain how and why slavery developed in the American colonies. Why couldn’t colonists use indentured servants as they had in the past? How would you describe the differences between slaves and indentured servants?

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  2 Discussion

DQ1 The American Revolution

How did the British colonists evolve from good citizens to revolutionaries who could compose and back something as special as the Declaration of Independence? What were the causes of the American Revolution?

DQ2 Confederation and Constitution

What were the main problems with the Articles of Confederation that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787? How did the national government under the Constitution differ from the Articles of Confederation?

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  3 Discussion

Manifest Destiny

Why did the Mexican War of 1846 take place? Was the war necessary? Was it a good thing? What does this war tell us about this period of American history? Was it God’s plan that the U.S. extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or were imperialists looking for a way to defend what they planned to do anyway? Elaborate.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  4 Discussion

The Civil War and Reconstruction

In the beginning, each side in the Civil War believed the war would be brief and that their side would win. What advantages did each side hold that made them feel this way? Elaborate. After the war, Lincoln had one plan for bringing the rebel states back into the Union; Andrew Johnson another; and the Radical Republican Congress a third. Discuss the aims of each president and explain why and in what ways Congress took control of Reconstruction.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  5 Discussion

Industrialization, Imperialism, and America’s Entry Into WWI

Describe the basic industries of America’s Industrial Revolution. Explain what made the men who controlled them so successful, and analyze the role of immigrants in industrialization. Discuss the foreign policy of the US and the events that drew the country into World War I.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  6 Discussion

DQ1 The Great Depression

What were the underlying causes of the depression? Why did the Great Depression of the 1930s seem so much worse than any occurring either before or since? Can you see any modern parallels to the Great Depression? Elaborate.

DQ2 World War II

What were the underlying causes of World War II? Select one event that you think irrevocably led the world (and the U.S.) to war more than any other event. Argue your selection with details that support your answer.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  7 Discussion

Terrorism in the 21st Century

Discuss how you see the “war on terrorism” as of this date. Do you think the United States should be engaged in such a war? Give reasons for or against this war and whether or not we are giving up our own principles to wage it.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week  8 Discussion

What I Learned That Affects Me Today

What are one or two lessons that have you learned from our study of US history that affect you today in your daily life and/or work?

 

 

HIST405 United States History

Week 1 Case Study Slavery

Introduction

Although slavery had existed among African peoples prior to the European slave trade, the status of slaves in Africa was much different than that of slaves as a result of the trade. The status of the latter was much different from the start and the further transition of this status in the colonies is illustrated by several Acts of the Virginia Commonwealth.

Instructions

Locate the webpage Acts of the Virginia Commonwealth on the PBS site Slavery and the Making of America: The Slave Experience. Use the following key words in your search: acts of Virginia Commonwealth slave experience. Read the information on this page.

Construct the case study by responding to the following prompts:

In what ways was the practice of slavery different between Africans and Europeans?

How did the length of service of slaves (servants being brought into the colony without indentures or covenants) change between 1642 and 1705?

How was the status of children born to slaves by white men determined?

In what ways were slaves treated similarly to property (regarding the right of possession, damage to property, etc.)?

Make sure to cite and reference sources. Make sure that the writing is clear, well-developed, and free from spelling and grammatical errors.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

Length: 2-3 pages (not including title page or references page)

1-inch margins

Double spaced

12-point Times New Roman font

Title page

References page

 

 

 

 

 

HIST405 United States History

Week 1 Journal Entry How I Earned

Learning is not like the weather; it does not “just happen” to you. You must be actively engaged in the learning process, devise strategies to maximize your learning, reflect on the strategies that worked and those that didn’t, and modify these strategies moving forward. I want all of you to earn an A in this class!

For this journal entry, I would like you to envision yourself having received an A at the end of the class.

Imagine yourself looking back over the class and describe the strategies you used to earn that A in around 100 words. Here are some items for you to consider:

How often did you log in to class?

What time management techniques did you use?

How did you manage the reading?

How did you study for the exams?

What was your plan for completing the research papers?

 

HIST405 United States History

Week 3 Case Study Industrialization

Introduction

The Second Industrial Revolution brought about a new socio-economic infrastructure at the turn of the century. This resulted in a transformation that introduced mechanization, an increase in immigration, labor reform, and a modern social order. The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by mass production that used new power sources.

Instructions

Use the following resource for this assignment:

Link (website): Scientific American (Vol. 2 Issue 1) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Construct the case study by responding to at least 3 of the following prompts:

What scientific discoveries were made during this period and how did they contribute to industrialization?

What new power sources arose, how were they used, and what sources of power did they replace?

What new materials were developed and how did they contribute to the new inventions?

How was communication revolutionized by industrialization?

How is another aspect of industrialization represented in the source?

Make sure to cite and reference sources. Make sure that the writing is clear, well-developed, and free from spelling and grammatical errors.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

Length: 2-3 pages (not including title page or references page)

1-inch margins

Double spaced

12-point Times New Roman font

Title page

References page

 

HIST405 United States History

Week 5 Case Study Who Is a Progressive?

Introduction

With the increase in prosperity brought about by industrialization came a number of ills such as the exploitation of workers, including children. Unbridled capitalism and the pursuit of wealth, while also giving rise to the middle class, led to the greatest wealth disparity the country had ever seen at the expense of the working class, whose members found themselves working six or seven days a week up to 12 hours a day in horrible conditions, often not making enough to support themselves and their families. In response, a group of people emerged, the Progressives, who sought ways to make the lives of this wretched class better. Among the most prominent Progressives was President Theodore Roosevelt and his progressive sentiments are illustrated in his speech, Who is a Progressive?

Instructions

Review the speech at the following link:

Link (website): Who is a Progressive? Theodore Roosevelt, April 1912 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Construct the case study by responding to the following prompts:

According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive?

What are the characteristics of those who are “anti-progressive” and what types of activities do they engage in?

What are the goals of progressivism and what areas of society should be addressed?

What progressive achievements does Roosevelt highlight in his speech?

Make sure to cite and reference sources. Make sure that the writing is clear, well-developed, and free from spelling and grammatical errors.

Make sure to cite and reference sources. Make sure that the writing is clear, well-developed, and free from spelling and grammatical errors.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week 7 Case Study Fear of Communism/Islam

Introduction

The Cold War brought about an irrational fear of communism and communist activities in the United States. As we are learning this week, one of the most vocal instigators of this paranoia was Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy delivered a speech about the imminent threat of communism on February 9, 1950. Our country again experienced a state of paranoia after the attacks of September 11, 2001, this time of Islam. (The purpose of this assignment is not to defend communism, but to examine the fear surrounding communism and Islam and whether it was/is valid.)

Instructions

Locate and read Joseph McCarthy’s speech given in Wheeling, West Virginia on February 9, 1950. Use the following key words in your search: Joseph McCarthy, Wheeling, West Virginia. The speech is also referred to as “Enemies from Within.”

Construct the case study by responding to the following prompts:

How does he define communist nations and what are the threats they pose?

Were his charges accurate?

Replace the word communism in his speech with Islam. Are there similarities between what McCarthy said about communism and what has been said about Islam, particularly shortly after the attacks of 9/11?

Do you believe it is valid to draw comparisons between anti-communist rhetoric and anti-Islam rhetoric?

Make sure to cite and reference sources. Make sure that the writing is clear, well-developed, and free from spelling and grammatical errors.

 

HIST405 United States History

Week 8 Journal Entry Advice to Incoming Students

For this assignment, provide advice to the next group of students who will be taking this course. What should incoming students be aware of regarding this class? What strategies did you use that they may find useful? What advice can you provide to help them earn an A?

There is no format or word count requirement for this assignment. I will incorporate the best two or three entries in this class next term

 

 

Week 4 Midterm

Question 1

Other than rice, what was South Carolina’s most significant export in the early eighteenth century?

tobacco

indigo

cotton

corn

slaves

 

Question 2

By the eighteenth century, the leading slave-trading nation had become

England.

Spain.

Portugal.

France.

Holland.

 

Question 3

What aspect of the New England economy grew most dramatically in the eighteenth century?

textile manufacturing

the fur trade

farming

education

the maritime economy

 

Question 4

How did Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense transform American thinking about politics?

It was the first publication to propose independence from Britain.

It denounced monarchy as being incompatible with liberty.

It explained that independence could be achieved without war.

It argued that constitutional monarchy is the best system of government.

It laid out a framework for the constitution of the newly independent states.

 

Question 5

Why did the British shift their attention to the South in the latter years of the American Revolution?

Their naval power could easily overwhelm the ports and cities of the South.

They believed the contributions of escaped slaves would tip the balance in their favor.

The geography of the South was better suited to their style of warfare.

They had already defeated the colonies of the North and secured their positions there.

There were more Loyalists in the South.

 

Question 6

What was the effect of King George III’s rejection of the “Olive Branch” petition sent by the First Continental Congress?

George III effectively repudiated the British Constitution.

The Continental Congress declared war on the British government.

British troops were given the authority to arrest any Patriots and seize their property.

Those who supported independence no longer believed reconciliation was possible.

Great numbers of Loyalists decided to take up the cause of the Patriots instead.

 

 

Question 7

How might the Whig theory of virtual representation have contributed to the tensions leading to the American Revolution?

The British hoped to impose a similar system of representation on the colonial assemblies.

The colonists did not understand the workings of Parliament.

The British placed more faith than the colonists did in the power of the crown.

The British did not comprehend the colonists’ view that they were not represented in Parliament.

The colonists believed that Parliament could represent their interests but the king could not.

 

Question 8

Why did Americans of the revolutionary generation look to the Roman Republic as a model?

It represented imperial power.

It represented the ideal of republic virtue.

It represented the mythical past.

It represented the separation of church and state.

It represented equality and democracy.

 

Question 9

Women were expected to participate in the political life of the new republic by

adorning their homes with patriotic images.

inspiring their husbands through their wit and beauty.

taking up the profession of teaching.

cultivating patriotism and virtue in their children.

managing their households.

 

 

Question 10

What caused the trade deficit with Britain after the Revolution?

the need to replace items destroyed in the war

continuing boycotts

desire for luxury goods that had been unavailable during the war

the refusal of banks to extend credit

America’s first depression

 

Question 11

What encouraged President Taylor to secure the annexation of Texas?

the support of most Texans for joining the Union

James K. Polk’s victory in the 1844 election

the postponement of the decision whether Texas would be a slave state

Americans’ overwhelming support for expansion despite their differences over slavery

Our website has a team of professional writers who can help you write any of your homework. They will write your papers from scratch. We also have a team of editors just to make sure all papers are of HIGH QUALITY & PLAGIARISM FREE. To make an Order you only need to click Ask A Question and we will direct you to our Order Page at WriteDemy. Then fill Our Order Form with all your assignment instructions. Select your deadline and pay for your paper. You will get it few hours before your set deadline.