HIST 120 Midterm Exam Instructions Format For Your Midterm ✓ Solved

HIST 120 Midterm Exam Instructions Format- For your Midterm

For your Midterm, you will choose two questions (one from each set) and respond to them in two separate extended essays. These are to be written up in either Word or a similar word processing program. In terms of setup, they are to be double-spaced, with 12 point font, and standard 1.25 inch margins. Each essay should run in the 3-4 pages range, totaling 6-8 pages on both essays. I expect you to proofread your work.

To respond to these essays, you are not required to use any sources beyond your textbook, your class notes, and the short written assignment primary sources. If you take a direct quote from any of these, you are required to cite it in MLA form, meaning parenthetical citation. An example would be as follows; when you cite your text, cite it (Foner, 645). Lectures can be cited by the topic or date. A bibliography is only needed if you use outside sources. I will not tolerate plagiarism in any form.

Each of these essay questions requires you to formulate an argument or a statement about how a set of issues should be understood. Start your answer with a thesis paragraph, summarizing your argument. Then develop your argument in the body of the essay, providing supportive information to back up your statements. The supporting information will ideally include facts learned in lecture and readings and also references to those sources.

COMMON MISTAKES: 1) Don’t narrate history; instead present your understanding of the issue as an argument. 2) Don’t tell us how you “feel” about an issue unless specifically asked; provide an informed argument based on historical knowledge.

The Midterm is due by the end of the day Monday October 31. Remember to combine your two responses in one document.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

The HIST 120 Midterm Exam offers students an opportunity to explore significant topics in American history. The two chosen prompts will delve into the impact of Enlightenment thought on American society and the transformative nature of the American Revolution, followed by an exploration of the Constitution's development and the creation of the first party system in the U.S. Both essays will elaborate on key themes, illustrating how ideological frameworks and political developments shaped early American identity.

Essay One: Enlightenment Impact on American Colonists

The Enlightenment, characterized by a surge of intellectual advancements, laid the foundation for revolutionary thinking among American colonists. Social contract theory, advanced by philosophers such as John Locke, posited that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed and must protect individual rights (Locke, 1689). This notion was revolutionary, challenging the legitimacy of monarchies and imperial rule. Figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson embraced these ideas, advocating for reason, scientific inquiry, and democratic governance.

Franklin’s contributions to the emergence of American intellectualism cannot be overstated. His emphasis on empiricism and rational debate encouraged a culture of critical thought. Similarly, Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy was steeped in Enlightenment ideals. His belief in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness directly echoed Enlightenment principles, fundamentally transforming the colonists’ understanding of liberty and personal rights (Jefferson, 1776).

The implications of these Enlightenment philosophies were profound. They expanded the colonial definitions of liberty beyond mere freedom from British oppression to include the necessity for social and political equality. The colonists began to view themselves as entitled to rights and governance that reflected their aspirations for self-determination. The influence of Deism, which emphasized rationality in understanding God and moral duties without religious dogma, further catalyzed a movement towards social reform and notions of government based on popular sovereignty (Paine, 1776).

Essay Two: The Revolutionary Nature of the American Revolution

The American Revolution, often heralded as a groundbreaking event, raises questions about its true revolutionary nature. Did it transform societal structures, or merely preserve existing power dynamics? To analyze this, it is essential to consider how the Revolution impacted various demographics, including male and female patriots, African Americans, Loyalists, and Native Americans.

While the Revolution espoused ideals of liberty and equality, its outcomes were mixed. For many white male patriarchs, the Revolution did indeed lead to new political opportunities, exemplified by the establishment of state legislatures that increased participation among the elite (Wood, 1992). However, women, although they played crucial roles during the conflict, were predominantly relegated to traditional domestic roles afterward, with limited rights post-Revolution (Kerber, 1980).

Moreover, African Americans and Native Americans experienced the Revolution differently. While some enslaved individuals gained freedom through service in the Continental Army, most remained in bondage or faced further oppression (Nash, 1974). Native Americans found themselves increasingly marginalized as the new nation expanded its territories, leading to the erosion of their lands and rights (Dowd, 2010).

Thus, the American Revolution preserved certain elements of the colonial status quo while challenging others. The dynamics between emerging political factions indicated that while revolutionary rhetoric provided a platform for change, it also reinforced existing hierarchies and privileges. Ultimately, the Revolution ignited foundational ideas of liberty but failed to dismantle systemic inequalities entirely.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Enlightenment and the American Revolution were instrumental in shaping early American thought and society. Enlightenment principles propelled colonists toward new understandings of individual rights and governance, while the Revolution's complexities reveal both transformative outcomes and persistent inequalities. By examining these themes through the chosen essay prompts, we gain insight into the foundations of American identity and the ongoing relevance of these historical inquiries.

References

• Dowd, Gregory Evans. (2010). "War under Heaven: Pontiac, the Indian Nations, and the British Empire." The Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Jefferson, Thomas. (1776). "The Declaration of Independence."
• Kerber, Linda K. (1980). "Women of the Republic: Intellect and Ideology in Revolutionary America." University of North Carolina Press.
• Locke, John. (1689). "Two Treatises of Government."
• Nash, Gary. (1974). "The Unknown American Revolution." Viking Press.
• Paine, Thomas. (1776). "Common Sense."
• Wood, Gordon S. (1992). "The Radicalism of the American Revolution." Vintage Books.