Amst 301 Summer 2015 Professor Lane 1 Final Exam 400 Points ✓ Solved

Amst 301 Summer 2015professor Lane1final Exam 400 Pointsdue Friday

Amst 301 Summer 2015 professor Lane 1 final exam instructions: Please submit all three essays together in one document by Friday, August 7, at 11:55 pm. Read each question carefully, outline your essays before writing, and answer all parts of the prompts. Carefully proofread your exam. Refer to specific course readings and concepts, including author and page numbers. Do not use any external sources outside the course materials. Do not cite lectures but present the information in your own words. Write about 2 pages for each short essay (100 points each), answering either question 1a or 1b (select one), and all students must answer question 2. For the long essay (200 points), write approximately 3-4 pages on the topic of resistance in American history, discussing at least three different examples from different periods, explaining each in detail, and concluding with a reflection on the most effective forms of resistance. Use at least three course readings or videos with proper citations, and include a coherent overarching argument. Format the essays with 11-12 pt font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, and include a title on every page. Include your name, course number, instructor’s name, and date on the first page. Number your pages. Use "I" as appropriate, italicize book titles, quote articles or chapters, and cite sources with parenthetical citations. No Works Cited page is required.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Throughout American history, resistance has been an essential force shaping social, political, and cultural change. Different groups have employed various strategies of resistance, ranging from subtle protest to outright defiance, each reflecting the unique contexts of their time and circumstances. This essay explores three prominent examples of resistance across different periods, analyzing their form, participants, targeted issues, and impacts, ultimately arguing that direct and organized resistance tends to be the most effective in producing meaningful change.

1. Resistance during the Civil Rights Movement (1950s-1960s)

The Civil Rights Movement is perhaps the most celebrated example of organized resistance to racial injustice in American history. African Americans and allies engaged in sit-ins, boycotts, marches, and legal challenges to combat segregation and disenfranchisement. One significant act was the 1963 March on Washington, where participants demanded jobs and freedom, symbolizing mass resistance and solidarity (Carson, 2004, p. 230). The nonviolent philosophy advocated by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. exemplifies strategic resistance aimed at moral persuasion and legal change. The movement resulted in landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, showcasing the effectiveness of organized, grassroots resistance (Patterson, 1982).

2. Resistance by Native Americans during the 19th Century

Native American resistance in the 1800s took many subtle and overt forms, from armed conflict to cultural persistence. The Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) was an armed protest against U.S. encroachment on tribal lands. Simultaneously, Native communities resisted assimilation policies through cultural survivance—maintaining language, ceremonies, and traditions despite government suppression (Deloria, 1970, p. 87). This form of resistance extended beyond military conflict, involving legal battles and activism that sought to uphold treaty rights and sovereignty. While more diffuse and less immediately impactful than organized marches, cultural resilience and legal activism have significantly contributed to Native American sovereignty movements (Wilkins & Lomawaima, 2002).

3. Resistance in the Modern Feminist Movement (1970s onward)

The second-wave feminist movement employed various forms of resistance to challenge gender inequality. Feminists fought for reproductive rights, workplace equality, and legal protections. The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision exemplifies legal resistance, with activists mobilizing to challenge restrictive abortion laws (Ginsburg, 1997). At the same time, protests like the Women's Strike for Equality in 1970 demonstrated mass mobilization and visibility campaigns. The MAKERS documentary illustrates the ongoing struggles and successes in advancing gender equity, highlighting that organized efforts, legal challenges, and cultural shifts are all effective resistance strategies (Makers, 2013). These efforts radically reshaped societal perceptions of gender roles and equality.

Conclusion

Each example demonstrates that resistance manifests in various forms—armed, cultural, legal, and activist. However, organized, direct resistance campaigns tend to produce the most tangible and lasting societal changes, as they mobilize public support, challenge entrenched power, and influence policy. Recognizing the diversity of resistance underscores its vital role in shaping American history and fostering social progress.

References

• Carson, C. (2004). In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s. Harvard University Press.
• Deloria, V. (1970). Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto. University of Oklahoma Press.
• Ginsburg, R. B. (1997). The Supreme Court and the Battle for Reproductive Rights. American Journal of Law & Medicine, 23(2-3), 189-234.
• Makers. (2013). Makers: Women who make America [Documentary]. PBS.
• Patterson, J. T. (1982). The Civil Rights Movement: A Brief History with Documents. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Wilkins, D. E., & Lomawaima, K. T. (2002). Uneven Ground: American Indian Sovereignty and Federal Law. University of Oklahoma Press.