Final Exam Review
United States History 1877-Present
Susquehanna University
Tips for doing well on this exam:
There is a 50% penalty for answers not written in essay form.
I. In ESSAY form:
IDENTIFY (explain who, what, when, and where)
EXPLAIN the historical significance (why is it important to history)
In the exam you will answer three (3) identifies. I will select five (4) from this list and an additional five identifies (unknown to you) will be selected as an extra choices (30 points). Remaining identifies will be added after the last class.
The below essay will be completed in greater at a later date
II. Short Essay – answer one of the following. (20 Points) ALL OF THESE CHOICES WILL BE ON THE EXAM
23.
Although the American public became weary of foreign affairs following the World War I, U.S. administrations continued to remain engaged globally during the inter-war years. Identify and explain 12 activities (treaties, executive agreements, and foreign activities) in which the U.S. participated between the Senate’s rejection of the Versailles Treaty and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
(12 grading elements)
(Treaties or executive agreements following the rejection of the Versailles Treaty to Pearl Harbor)
24. The Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal brought about a political uprising to reign in the power of the presidency. What actions did Congress take to end the era of "the Imperial Presidency"?
(10 grading elements)
III. Essays
OR (meaning do NOT do both major and minor essays)
Minor Essays – Answer TWO (25 pts each) ALL OF THESE CHOICES WILL BE ON THE EXAM
25.
As a farmer in the Great Depression you are suffering from nearly two decades of economic slump. Identify and explain two (2) reasons why the depression started earlier for you than it did for most Americans living in the cities. Identify five (5) programs sponsored by President Roosevelt to help farmers, explain how each of these five (5) programs tried to improve agriculture, explain the impact, positive and negative, each of these five (5) programs had on you and your family?
(17 grading elements)
26. Congress responded to Hitler’s start of World War II by passing a series of neutrality laws. Identify four (4) activities prohibited by Congress under these neutrality laws and explain how each of the four (4) sought to maintain American neutrality. For what reason did Roosevelt want to enter the war? Identify three (3) pieces of legislation and explain how they (3) supported the Allies. Identify and explain the agreement that ended American neutrality. For what reason did this agreement end American neutrality?
(18 grading elements)
27. Twice in the twentieth century the United States experienced a Red Scare. What were the Red Scares? In the first Red Scare, identify three (3) domestic and international events and explain (3) how they contributed to the first Red Scare. What leader was at the center of this scare? Identify one action by the government and one action in the private sector that was taken in response to this fear? What eventually caused each this scare to fizzle out?
In the second Red Scare, identify five (5) domestic or international events and explain (5) how they contributed to the second Red Scare. What leader was at the center of this scare? Identify one action by the government and one action in the private sector that was taken in response to this fear? What eventually caused each of this scare to fizzle out?
(24 grading elements)
28. By the end of the Vietnam War, Americans began asking how the United States got involved in Indo-China. Identify 15 factors or events that contributed to the U.S. entry into this controversial conflict and what repercussions did the war have on presidential power and U.S-Soviet foreign policy?
(17 grading elements)
29.The road to equality for women has been long and difficult. Throughout this journey, champions of equal rights for women built successes through personal sacrifice, political action, and public support. Identify 17 successes in the struggle for women’s equality and explain why each one was important. Which of one of these successes contributed the most towards equality and why? What is Affirmative Action and what role (positive or negative) does it play in the quest for equality? Will complete equality between the sexes be achieved? Explain why or why not. At what point (what elements are necessary) will we have reached complete equality between the sexes?
(24 grading elements)
Answer ONE of four major essays. (50 points – the major essay covers a broader period of history is expected to be twice as long as a minor essay)
Major Essays - Answer ONE (50 pts each) ALL OF THESE CHOICES WILL BE ON THE EXAM
30.
Since Plessy v. Ferguson, the Civil Rights movement (for both women and minorities) employed different methods and approaches to end discriminatory practices in both public and private life. Identify these violent and non-violent methods and the groups and individuals that employed them. To what extent have these methods been success and/or unsuccessful. What methods do you believe will BOTH improve the livelihood of women and minorities and improve black/white, male/female relations as well? Will equality between the races ever be achieved? Why or why not?
(38 grading elements)
31. Since the Civil War ended, the United States has entered into armed conflict for various reasons. In reviewing the below, explain what led the U.S. to enter each conflict. Explain if the conflict had a good or bad outcome and why. Identify any similarities in the reasons why the U.S. entered these wars?
Spanish-American, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Grenada Invasion, Panama Invasion, Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq War, Syria, Libya,
(38 grading elements)