Scarpino/Torrella

H106

Study Questions for Final Exam

Directions: Two of these questions will appear on the exam. You will be required to answer one (1). Answers should include appropriate examples from lectures, readings, and class discussions. YOU MUST TAKE THE EXAM IN A BLUE BOOK THAT WE PROVIDE; IT MUST HAVE A HISTORY DEPARTMENT STAMP ON THE FRONT.

We will be happy to check one or two outlines per student. While we will not write (or rewrite) answers, we will tell you whether or not you are headed in the right direction. We will also be pleased to talk to you about the readings or lectures or to answer questions about the class.

Please keep the following in mind: Good essays answer the entire question by drawing on appropriate material from the lectures and the readings. An effective essay is well organized, clear, and persuasive. SUMMARIZE means that you briefly state the main points. ANALYZE means write an answer that is fully developed with major points, supporting points, and examples from the lectures and readings and Power Point (posted to Oncourse).

Office Hours:

Scarpino: Tues., May 2, 1-2:15, 4:00-4:30; Wed., May 3, 2-4 pm, and by appt.

Torrella: Th., April 27, 1-2pm and 4-7pm; Mon., May 1, 1-7pm; Tues., May 2, 11am-2pm; Wed., May 3, 11am-2pm; Th., May 4 , 11am-3pm.

1. During the Cold War, a basic assumption underlay American Cold War policies: With good policies and enough will Americans could influence the course of events anywhere in the world. Explain what this means, use at least one specific example. Analyze what happened when this basic assumption was tested by failures such as the Soviet Union getting the “bomb” or the fall of China to communists or the Hiss Case or the War in Vietnam. (See also text book, Chapters, 28, 29, 30, and 31.)

2. The year is 1964 and the U.S. Senate is about to hold hearings on the Civil Rights Act. As a student of history, you have been subpoenaed to testify at these hearings. Your testimony should focus on the WWII period and it should accomplish two objectives: 1) Analyze the domestic impact of WWII on African Americans. The Senate committee is especially interested in military service and employment, as well as, treatment of, and responses by, African Americans during the war. 2) Explain how the roots of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and early 60s may be found in the experiences of African Americans during WWII (See also: text book, Chapter 27 and Chapters 29 and 30).

3. You have been hired to prepare a position paper for a newly elected member of Congress, and because the candidate has paid you a large fee, she expects quality results. Your position paper should focus on the Cold War and accomplish two objectives: 1) Analyze the development of American Cold War policy during the Truman administration. 2) Summarize what happened when many Americans began to question Cold War policies and values during the Vietnam war. (See also text book, Chapters 28, 29, 30, and 31.)

4. In 1947, a crisis in Greece helped the Truman administration to win the support of Congress and of the American people for a policy of getting tough with the Soviet Union. Analyze the following: (1) The crisis in Greece and Truman’s use of that crisis to persuade Congress and the American people of the need to get tough with the Soviets; (2) the purpose and significance of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan that this crisis helped bring into existence. (See also: text, Chapter 28.)

5. In class, Dr. Scarpino explained that many developments that took place during WWII, had a continuing, significant impact on post-war American society. Focus on wartime developments, including pent-up demand, enforced savings, and technology Explain how these developments that unfolded during WWII influenced the post-war emergence of environmental concern. (See: Silent Spring and text Chapter 29, especially pages 800-802.)