Part I. Key Terms. Write short essays (about half a page each) on three of the following key terms. Provide an overview of the topic (who, what, where, when) and tell why the key term is important to our understanding of America in the late 1800s. Show how each key term relates to major ideas and historical trends we have discussed. You are expected to use the assigned reading and your notes from discussion.
Dawes Act
Homesteaders
Andrew Carnegie/Vertical Integration
New South
Women's Crusade
Brooklyn Bridge
Populists
Pullman Strike
Spanish-American War
Part II. Longer Essays. Write longer essays (about one and one half pages each) on two of the following, using your class notes and information from the assigned reading. Please make sure the topics you cover in Part II are different from what you discuss in Part I.
The Gilded Age. Describe the relationship between politics and business in the late 1800s. Who had the most power at this time? How did they gain so much power?
The West. What was so special about the West in the late 1800s? Describe some of the different types of people who lived in the West and the challenges they faced. Explain how the West was changing rapidly in this time period.
Cities. Why did so many people come to cities in the late 1800s? What challenges did they face? Describe the lifestyle and the social life common in cities of this era.
Workers. Describe some of the challenges facing working people in the late 1800s. What did workers do to improve their situation? How successful were they?
The 1890s. Why was there so much conflict within the country in the 1890s? How was this conflict related to changes going on in the economy? What ideas came out of this era that would affect the twentieth century?
Imperialism. Explain how America became increasingly focused on foreign affairs in the late 1800s. What motivated the U.S. to start taking over other areas? Describe the impact of American imperialism in three specific places.
Part III. Illustrations. Include at least one picture to go with each of your essays in Part I and Part II. (You can find pictures on the internet.) Briefly explain what is in the picture. Tell how the picture helps us understand key points in your essays.
Keys for Success:
Explain your points simply, like you would to another student.
Write in short paragraphs.
Use specific examples from our readings and class discussion.
Relate your answers to major concepts and trends we have covered.