Directions: Answer both Questions #1 and #2 over 4 – 5 pages or 1000 to 1250 words each (the entire exam should be 8 – 10 pages or 2000 to 2500 words, doubled-spaced, using normal margins, and 12-point font). In your response, you should use materials learned from course lectures, the historians we have read over the semester, and the primary sources that are available on the Course Materials page on Blackboard. Be sure to provide historical evidence to support your claims including events, historical figures, important dates, prominent works of art or literature or film, larger historical themes, or any other relevant examples that support your argument. Your grade will be determined by your ability to demonstrate your command of the course readings and lecture materials. Be sure to provide Chicago Manual of Style Citations for your footnotes. For Lectures, provide (to the best of your ability) the title of the lecture and the date it was given.
QUESTION
US History From the Civil War Era to the Present – HIST 15200
Directions: Answer both Questions #1 and #2 over 4 – 5 pages or 1000 to 1250 words each (the entire exam should be 8 – 10 pages or 2000 to 2500 words, doubled-spaced, using normal margins, and 12-point font). In your response, you should use materials learned from course lectures, the historians we have read over the semester, and the primary sources that are available on the Course Materials page on Blackboard. Be sure to provide historical evidence to support your claims including events, historical figures, important dates, prominent works of art or literature or film, larger historical themes, or any other relevant examples that support your argument. Your grade will be determined by your ability to demonstrate your command of the course readings and lecture materials. Be sure to provide Chicago Manual of Style Citations for your footnotes. For Lectures, provide (to the best of your ability) the title of the lecture and the date it was given.
For Question #1, choose between either Option A or B (DO NOT ANSWER BOTH QUESTIONS), which will focus on the second half of the semester.
This Final Exam is due on Monday, May 25th by 12:00 pm. No extensions will be granted. If the exam is not submitted by that deadline, the grade will be lowered by a full letter grade and will continue to be lowered by that amount for every 24-hours it is overdue (i.e. an A will go down to a B, a B to a C, etc.). No exams will be accepted after Wednesday, May 27th by 11:59 PM, and exams not received by that date and time will result in an automatic failure (barring extreme and documented reasons). Exams should be summited by email to Professor Welt at the email addresses provided above.
Question #1: Answer either Option A OR Option B.
Option A: The New Deal was a transformative political event in American history. What was the New Deal? What effects did it have on American society? In answering this question, think about American politics, culture, and the economy before, during, and after the era of the New Deal.
Option B: After initially opposing American entry into World War I, President Woodrow Wilson changed his mind and eventually decided to commit the US to the War in order to “make the world safe for democracy.” How has American foreign policy changed since WWI? How has Americans’ engagement with the rest of the world transformed since this conflict and what impact have those changes had domestically on American society? Your answer can include (but does not necessarily have to include) events up until the present day.
Question# 2:
You are completing this final exam during an era of national crisis in America. Identify another period of crisis between the era of the Civil War and the present day. What happened? How did Americans respond to this crisis? How did this crisis transform American life? Are there any lessons for today that Americans can learn from this chapter of modern US history?
ANSWER
Question #1: Option A – The New Deal
The New Deal was a transformative political event in American history that took place during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. Implemented between 1933 and 1938, the New Deal aimed to address the economic crisis and provide relief, recovery, and reform for American society.
Before the New Deal, the United States was in the midst of the Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash of 1929 (Americans React to the Great Depression | Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress, n.d.). The economy was in shambles, with widespread unemployment, bank failures, and a collapse in industrial production. President Roosevelt recognized the need for immediate action and introduced a series of programs and policies to combat the crisis.
One of the key components of the New Deal was the relief programs, which aimed to provide immediate assistance to those most affected by the depression. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) was established in 1933 to provide direct relief to the unemployed and their families. Another important relief program was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which employed young men in conservation and reforestation projects.
The New Deal also focused on recovery by implementing measures to stimulate economic growth. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) created jobs in infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and public buildings. The National Recovery Administration (NRA) aimed to regulate industries and establish fair labor practices. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) sought to stabilize agricultural prices and address the issues faced by farmers.
Furthermore, the New Deal brought significant reforms to the American society. The Social Security Act of 1935 established a system of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children, providing a safety net for vulnerable citizens (Social Security Act (1935), 2022). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was created to regulate the stock market and prevent another financial collapse. The Wagner Act of 1935 protected workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively.
The New Deal had a profound impact on American society. It provided immediate relief to millions of Americans, reducing unemployment rates and improving living conditions. It also laid the groundwork for long-term economic recovery and stability (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal | Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress, n.d.). By introducing reforms and regulations, the New Deal aimed to prevent future economic crises and protect the rights of workers.
However, the New Deal was not without its critics. Some argued that it expanded the power of the federal government too much and interfered with free-market principles. Others believed that it did not go far enough in addressing the underlying causes of the depression. Nonetheless, the New Deal left a lasting legacy, shaping American politics, culture, and the economy for decades to come.
In conclusion, the New Deal was a transformative political event in American history. It addressed the economic crisis of the Great Depression through relief, recovery, and reform programs. It provided immediate relief to those in need, stimulated economic recovery, and implemented lasting reforms to protect citizens and prevent future crises. The New Deal had a profound impact on American society, shaping the role of the federal government and establishing a foundation for social welfare programs.
References
Americans react to the Great Depression | Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress. (n.d.). The Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/great-depression-and-world-war-ii-1929-1945/americans-react-to-great-depression/
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal | Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress. (n.d.). The Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/great-depression-and-world-war-ii-1929-1945/franklin-delano-roosevelt-and-the-new-deal/
Social Security Act (1935). (2022, February 8). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/social-security-act
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