[Last revised February 8, 2024.  Terms in parentheses will not be among the ID choices, but you might want to discuss them
in connection with the related essay.  For additional advice, see these Power Point study suggestions.]


MIDTERM I--STUDY GUIDE

POTENTIAL ID’S:

ANDERSONVILLE, SHERMAN, RECONSTRUCTION, KU KLUX KLAN, CARPETBAGGERS AND SCALAWAGS, ANDREW JOHNSON, 14th AMENDMENT

ULYSSES S. GRANT, HORACE GREELEY, STALWARTS, (ROSCOE CONKLING), (JAMES G. BLAINE), HAYES, COMPROMISE OF 1877, GARFIELD, ARTHUR, (MUGWUMPS), PENDLETON ACT, CLEVELAND

CREDIT MOBILIER, (ERIE WAR), CARNEGIE, J.P. MORGAN, ROCKEFELLER, KNIGHTS OF LABOR, (HAYMARKET RIOT), (A.F.L), (HOMESTEAD STRIKE), (PULLMAN RIOTS), (EUGENE DEBS), SHERMAN ANTITRUST ACT

BOSS TWEED, SALVATION ARMY, Y.M.C.A., WWJD,  (D. L. MOODY), WCTU, (THOMAS NAST), GRANGE, BRYAN, POPULISTS, (OMAHA CONVENTION), (COXEY'S ARMY), YELLOW JOURNALISM, (MCKINLEY), (MARK HANNA)

(NORTHWEST ORDINANCE), CHEROKEE, TRAIL OF TEARS, (GREAT BUFFALO HUNT), (OJIBWAY,) (TREATY OF 1851), TREATY OF 1868, (RED CLOUD), CRAZY HORSE, (SITTING BULL), LITTLE BIG HORN (BATTLE OF GREASY GRASS), WOUNDED KNEE, WOVOKA, GHOST DANCE,  (DAWES SEVERALTY ACT), (ALLOTMENT), (INDIAN REORGANIZATION ACT), (WHEELER-HOWARD ACT), (RELOCATION), (INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION ACT), THE MAINE, SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, HEARST, PHILIPPINES, CUBA, PUERTO RICO, (PLATT AMENDMENT)

POTENTIAL ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1.  The Civil War came close to destroying the framework of government set up by our founding fathers.  Even in 1877, America had not fully recovered from the Civil War, and the continuation of republican government, something we take for granted, was probably not as certain as it seems to us in retrospect.  Comment.

2.  The presidential campaigns of the last third of the 19th century were characterized, not only by mudslinging, but by violence, corruption, and outright fraud.  In view of this, it is not surprising that the men elected to the presidency during this period were seldom great leaders.  It is perhaps more surprising that these men were as statesmanlike as they were.  Comment.

3.  The late 19th century was a time of phenomenal growth in business and industry.  Along with this growth came all the problems typically associated with industrialization.  Both the blessings and the problems or industrialization are often attributed to the "free enterprise" system, a system where government maintains a laissez-faire attitude toward business and economics.  But it is doubtful if the economic system of the late 19th century can truly be characterized as one of "free enterprise."  Comment.

4.  Both city dwellers and farmers struggled with enormous problems as America transformed itself into an urban society in the 19th century.  There were, however, many attempts at reform--some fairly successful, others rather disappointing.  Comment.

5. The growth of the United States during its history has been phenomenal.  In some ways, this is good.  Expansion and growth are the signs of a healthy, confident society.  But the tendency of the U.S. to expand its geographical boundaries has from time to time had its negative aspects as well.  Both positive and negative aspects of the U.S. tendency to expansion are evident in the 1865-1900 period.  Comment.


 MIDTERM II--STUDY GUIDE
[Last Revised 6/08/18.  For additional advice, see this Midterm II Study Suggestions Power Point]

POTENTIAL ID'S:

MCKINLEY, THEODORE ROOSEVELT, SQUARE DEAL, PANAMA CANAL, TAFT, (LA FOLLETTE), BULL MOOSE PARTY, WILSON, FEDERAL RESERVE ACT, FOURTEEN POINTS, LEAGUE OF NATIONS, GEORGE CREEL, EUGENICS MOVEMENT, BIRTH OF A NATION, (AMENDMENT XIX), (AMENDMENT XVIII)

PROHIBITION, HARDING, COOLIDGE, SACCO AND VANZETTI, SCOPES TRIAL, BRYAN, ANDREW MELLON, HOOVER

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, NEW DEAL, FIRESIDE CHATS, WPA, (FDIC), (SEC), CCC, NATIONAL RECOVERY ACT, AGRICULTURAL ADJUSTMENT ACT, (FHA), SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

NYE COMMISSION, NEUTRALITY ACTS, LEND-LEASE, STALIN, PEARL HARBOR, NORMANDY INVASION, HIROSHIMA, FRANK CAPRA

(COLD WAR), YALTA, POTSDAM, TRUMAN, MARSHALL PLAN, KOREAN WAR, EISENHOWER, (MCCARTHY), DIEM, CASTRO, SPUTNIK, (JOE KENNEDY), JOHN F. KENNEDY, (NEW FRONTIER), ICH BIN EIN BERLINER, CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS, BAY OF PIGS


POTENTIAL ESSAY QUESTIONS:


1.  In the early years of the 20th century, crusaders of various types (including three "progressive" presidents) took on all of the many evils plaguing American society-- crime, disease, corruption, poverty, ignorance, and injustice--and won!  At least, sort of.  Comment.

2.  While there is a general consensus on which figures and events of the 1920-1932 period are particularly important, there are major differences in interpreting just about every one of these figures and events.  Comment.

3.  Franklin D. Roosevelt promised the American people a "new deal," and he gave them just that.  Roosevelt's presidency saw many fundamental changes in the American political system.  These changes made Roosevelt a hero to many, and Roosevelt is one of the most loved presidents in American history--with good reason.  But many would argue that Roosevelt's "New Deal" was a raw deal, and Roosevelt also has the distinction of being one of the most hated of American presidents--with good reason!  Comment.

4. During the period after World War I, Americans tended to regard that war as a great mistake, and they were determined not to make such a mistake again.  America’s refusal to get involved in foreign conflicts made it seem like the country would forever be a pacifist, isolationist, and even cowardly nation.  World War II showed that this was not quite the case.  Comment.
 
5. During the years that followed World War II, America reluctantly accepted its responsibilities as a major player in world affairs.  Despite sometimes disappointing leadership and more than a few major blunders, the country was still moderately successful in leading the free world through the difficult years of what is often called the Cold War.  Comment


 

  
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
[Last Revised 6/28/22]
[See also this History 152 Final Exam Study Suggestions PowerPoint]

POTENTIAL ID'S:

LYNDON JOHNSON, THE GREAT SOCIETY, (BARRY GOLDWATER), WAR ON POVERTY, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS OF 1964 AND 1965, MARTIN LUTHER KING, [BLACK PANTHERS], ELDRIDGE CLEAVER, [ELIJAH MUHAMMAD], MALCOLM X, GULF OF TONKIN RESOLUTIONS, TET OFFENSIVE

RICHARD NIXON, CHECKERS SPEECH, AGNEW, [EUGENE MCCARTHY], [BOBBY KENNEDY], GEORGE WALLACE, GEORGE MCGOVERN, WATERGATE, DETENTE, SALT

GERALD FORD, WIN!, KHMER ROUGE, OPEC, JIMMY CARTER, BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, HELSINKI ACCORDS

RONALD REAGAN, SDI, IRAN-CONTRA, ROBERT BORK, [TED KENNEDY], SUPPLY SIDE ECONOMICS, AIDS, GEORGE H.W. BUSH, "READ MY LIPS," [DAN QUAYLE], GULF WAR

BILL CLINTON, WHITEWATER, CATTLEGATE,  HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, [KOSOVO], [CONTRACT WITH AMERICA], [FILEGATE], [CHINAGATE], PARDONGATE, GEORGE W. BUSH, BUSH V. GORE, WAR ON TERROR, NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, [TARP],

BARACK OBAMA, TEA PARTY, OBAMACARE, [FAST AND FURIOUS], DONALD TRUMP, ALTERNATIVE FACTS, JOE BIDEN, HUNTER BIDEN
 
POTENTIAL ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1.  Lyndon Johnson did everything in his power to turn America into a "Great Society."  Unfortunately, his well-intended programs did little to alleviate the problems American society faced, and may actually have increased the turmoil of the 1960's.  Comment.

2.  Richard Nixon was an exceptionally competent president and no more immoral than many other presidents of the last seventy years. He was often a true statesman, putting the good of his country far above personal advantage.   Nixon was also a clever politician, as his nickname "Tricky Dick" suggests.  But Nixon was not quite clever enough, not quite tricky enough to overcome the hostility of his political enemies.  Comment.

3.  In what came to be called his “malaise speech,” President Jimmy Carter complained that America was going through a time of “paralysis and stagnation and drift.”  In many ways, that phrase describes well both the Ford and Carter administrations.  The nation was adrift, and neither man seemed to be able to do much about it.
Comment.

4.  Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush (Bush 41) put together a new political coalition, a coalition which enabled them to reverse some of the damage done to America by 20 years of liberal social and economic policies.  However, despite the many successes of Reagan and Bush, the two men left their "conservative revolution" far from complete.  Comment.

5.  No matter what one thinks of Bill Clinton as a statesman, it is clear that he is a great politician--and a great illustration of the general rule that people get the leaders they deserve. The same might be said of George W. Bush (Bush 43). Comment.

6.  No matter what one thinks of Barack Obama as a statesman, it is clear that he is a great politician--and a great illustration of the general rule that people get the leaders they deserve. The same might be said of  Donald Trump and Joe Biden.  Comment.