Midterm Exam

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Florida State College at Jacksonville *

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2020

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Mathematics

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Apr 3, 2024

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Hodges 1 Heather L. Hodges Professor Scott Matthews AMH 2020 22 October 2023 Midterm Exam Question 1: The rapid convulsions and transformations that shook the United States after the Civil War often resulted in violence and violent conflict. Pick three different examples of the role of violence in shaping American history during the periods we’ve covered so far in class in your essay then answer these questions: What made each example such a violent period in American history? How did the violence change the course of American history? And, finally, what connections do you see between your three examples? Are there common underlying causes or issues? Why or why not? Answer 1: During 1865-1876, racial violence in the form of lynchings and riots during the Reconstruction of America shaped our history concerning the rights and official citizenship of black Americans once slavery was abolished. This period changed the course of American history in ways that affected the relationship between white and black Americans as well as the pursuit of true freedom and equality as “African Americans remained second-class citizens . . . [in] the United States” ( American Yawp , Chapter 15). During the 1860s to 1900s, violence towards Native Americans during the expansion of the railroad west of the United States shaped our history regarding the rights and citizenship of Native Americans. “Native groups [were moved] to ever-shrinking reservations [as the United States] often [was] in violation of its own treaties” and almost pushed the native American heritage to extinction due to such violence ( American Yawp , Chapter 17). This time period changed the course of American history in a way that greatly reshaped our society and affected future native American generation's views of white Americans. During the 1890s to 1910s, violence that stemmed from the Spanish-American war to gain control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and eventually Hawaii shaped our history concerning our level of cultural power, which allowed us to gain American imperialism to be considered a global empire. Although the “splendid little war” only lasted fifteen weeks, the “economic, political, and cultural power, . . . [and the] actions, choices, and possibilities of other groups and nations” would all be greatly affected by America’s engagement with the world ( American Yawp , Chapter 19). The connections between these examples all involve a difference of race and the attempt to control power over races different from ours here in America. This common underlying cause and issue focused on a yearning for power while displaying racism and discrimination through violence is something that we still see in today’s day and age, proving just how much these different violent conflicts have truly shaped our history.

Hodges 2 Question 2: Reform movements have arisen regularly in American history, so what made the Progressive reform movement unique? What do you think were its two most important and distinguishing features and why? Answer 2: The Progressive reform movement was unique for many different reasons as a “[w]idespread dissatisfaction with new trends in American history [which] spurred the Progressive Era” affected both political and social aspects of the United States ( American Yawp , Chapter 20). Progressive reform tackled many different issues that were occurring in America at the time involving unfair business practices in industrialization, a rise of urban poverty in cities, much-needed advancements in education for young children and African Americans, and recurring corruption in democracy, which “attracted various constituencies around various reforms” ( American Yawp , Chapter 20). I believe the two most important and distinguishing features of the progressive reform include the advancement of women’s rights and the tackling of immense corruption from within our government. The reform movement that involved women’s rights provided women with the right to vote, which provided all women in the United States with the opportunity to use their voices and promoted gender equality. The tackling of corruption from within our government in regard to monopolies helped put forth regulative systems like trust-busting and anti-trust laws which ensured conspiracies, discrimination, and unfair practices within businesses were under more control, allowing for more equal opportunities. Question 3: When America entered World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that the nation would help make the world “safe for democracy.” How did this idea and goal make America unique among nations during this time? Did America live up to this ideal and goal at home? Why or why not? Answer 3: The idea and goal that America would help make the world a safe place for democracy was vastly unique, especially among other nations. While imperialism was the main drive for the surrounding countries, the United States wanted the “chance to transform international order in America’s image . . . [and] lead the way for the world to an order of peace” ( The Great War film). Many Americans felt that we have something more to give to the world to make it a better place, through influence and power, therefore, we “articulated a global vision of democracy . . . and embraced neutrality” ( The American Yawp , Chapter 21). Additionally, the promotion of the international League of Nations organization showed the world that we wanted to keep world peace in order to protect human rights all over the globe and prevent destruction from war. America unfortunately did not live up to this moral ideal and goal at home as more wars (World War II and the Cold War) occurred, causing “aggravated ethnic tensions that the United States could never overcome” ( The American Yawp , Chapter 21). This indirectly caused the dream of progress toward a more modern and peaceful world to come to a crashing halt.

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