FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE

HISTORY 231, WINTER, 2013/FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE:

YOU NEED TO BRING A BLUE BOOK.

FINAL EXAM SECTION ONE: WED MARCH 20, 8-10:30

FINAL EXAM SECTION TWO: WED MARCH 20, 11-1:30

I. ESSAY: (50%)  There will be two questions on the test. You will write an essay on one of those. The questions come from the following four areas.

1. War and History: What impact did war have on the nation? Explore at least three of the following: the French and Indian War, the Revolution, the War of 1812, the War with Mexico, and the Civil War

2. Sectionalism: How did this nation move from unity to disunion? In other words, what caused the Civil War?

3. Course Readings: Consider the key themes from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, “Common Sense,” The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, and Midnight Rising. Link each book to its time. For example, you might link Benjamin Franklin to the mid-century challenges or the American Enlightenment. Midnight Rising is obviously linked to sectionalism.

4. SURVEY OF COURSE: Considering the whole course, would you say that the history of the U.S. to 1865 is better characterized as a story of sorrow and oppression or one of success and freedom? Which point of view more aptly captures the history of this nation?

A strong essay will have ample detail. You should include names, dates, events, causes, consequences, or anything else that can convince me that you are thinking deeply about these issues and have given evidentiary support to your thinking. The writing and presentation are not judged here. Instead, I want to see that you have a wealth of detail.

II. TERMS: (50%) You will identify and give the significance of five of the following terms.

“Beecher’s Bibles”

Andrew Jackson

Battle of New Orleans

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

Compromise of 1850

Dred Scott

Election of 1800

Fugitive Slave Act
Stephen Douglas
 Kansas-Nebraska Act
“Bleeding Kansas”

John L. O’Sullivan

John Marshall

Lewis and Clark

Louisiana Purchase

Manifest Destiny

Marbury v. Madison

New England Emigrant Aid Company

Revolution of 1800

Saint Patrick’s Brigade

The Caning of Sumner
"Know-Nothings"
Panic of 1857

Pottawatomie Creek
 Lincoln-Douglas Debate for Senate
John Brown's Raid
 The Election of Lincoln

The Missouri Compromise

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

War of 1812

Wilmot Proviso

Winfield Scott

Worcester v. Georgia

Zachary Taylor

            WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR…

·      An excellent answer (90-100%) is three to four sentences and gives the who, what, where, when, so it fully defines the term in its time. It also gives a clear indication of why the term is important. Each term is a small window into something significant.

·      A strong answer (80-90%) may slight some of the identification, perhaps leaving out a date or name. But it still gives a clear indication that the author knows exactly what the term is. This answer gives some indication of why the term is important but does not fully connect the term to its time.

·      An average (70-80%) answer gives a few details that identify the term but may be over generalized. This answer makes an attempt to give the significance of the term but does not give a clear indication of the importance of the term.