1. The course textbook states that “Reconstruction would be divisive, leaving a mixed legacy of human gains and losses” (458). To demonstrate this, indicate three distinct issues that caused division during Reconstruction. Clearly identify each issue and explain specifically how it caused division. Then, show gains and losses from Reconstruction by indicating two distinct beneficial consequences of the process of Reconstruction and two distinct harmful consequences of the process of Reconstruction. Be clear in identifying each consequence and explaining why it was beneficial or harmful.
2. As the course textbook states, historian Frederick Jackson Turner, writing in the 1890s, argued that the frontier was key “in shaping American character and American institutions. Over the course of American history, the struggle to tame the wilderness had changed settlers from Europeans to Americans and created a rugged individualism that ‘promoted democracy'” (494). With this in mind, indicate two distinct specific aspects of life on the western frontier between the 1860s and 1890s that reflect Turner’s argument about U.S. identity and U.S. society. Be specific in identifying each particular aspect and be clear in explaining how each aspect reflects Turner’s argument. Then, discuss how Turner’s sentiment appeared in policies regarding Native Americans the U.S. government developed and implemented during this time period. Identify two distinct particular government policies, clearly explain how each reflects the view of U.S. identity and society expressed by Turner, and clearly describe the ramifications of these policies for Native Americans.
3. The mid- to late 1800s witnessed significant developments in the modernization of U.S., which included new developments in agriculture, new developments in industrialization, and new developments in urbanization. Describe one example of modernization in agriculture, one example of modernization in industry, and one example of modernization in urbanization that occurred at this time period and that share a common theme beyond simply being the development of new technologies. Focus on identifying a deeper similarity about how people thought about society, about the world, about growth, or about some other aspect of their lives that appears in all three forms of modernization you discuss. Clearly explain how each form of modernization demonstrates the theme. Then, indicate one concern about the potential harmful consequences of modernization in each of these three areas (agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization) that was voiced at the time. Identify a concern for each of the three areas and clearly explain what each concern entails.
4. In a section titled “Capital Versus Labor,” the textbook states that “class conflict colored late-nineteenth-century industrial life” (535). To show this, describe both sides of this class conflict. Provide at least three features of the development of capitalism that favored the wealthy and corporations in the late nineteenth century, and provide at least three characteristics of the development of the labor movement in the late nineteenth century. Then, explain why the features of the development of capitalism and the characteristics of the development of the labor movement you have discussed led to class conflict.
5. Describe the development of African American life between Reconstruction and the Gilded Age. Explain at least two types of struggles African Americans faced during this time period and at least two ways in which African Americans’ lives witnessed improvement during this time period. Also, provide a clear and full explanation of how African Americans’ lives changed between the 1860s and the 1890s, with explanation of how the two struggles and two improvements you have discussed contributed to those changes.
