History

1) What was the most important aspect of Manifest Destiny, its racist overtones, its positive impact on the economic growth of the country or its intensification of the conflict over slavery? Consider historical events from the 1830s to 1861 when defending your answer. 2) Why do you think the women’s movement of the 1840s and 1850s failed in their efforts to make significant gains for women at that time? Consider what it takes to achieve a successful movement and where the women’s movement failed when defending your answer. 3) When did the Civil War become unavoidable for all practical purposes, 1854 or 1857? Consider the key events of the particular year chosen when defending your answer. 4) Did politicians on both sides blunder into the Civil War by advancing policies that made the divisions in the country worse or did Southern politicians purposely take advantage of circumstances and lead the South into secession and a ruinous war? Consider the divisions over slavery and the events of the period 1846 to 1861 when defending your answer. 5) Did the North win or did the South lose the Civil War? Consider the various factors that contributed to a Union victory or a Southern defeat when defending your answer. 6) What were the most important results of the medical revolution of the Civil War, the contribution to the Union victory or the long-term impact on the country’s health and well-being? Consider the impact on the outcome of the war or on public health and the situation of women when defending your answer. 7) What is your interpretation of Reconstruction, was it a success, a failure or a partial success? Consider the short term and long term accomplishments, if taking the first position, or the failures if taking the second position, or both if taking the third position, when defending your answer.