Practice Essay Exam Questions

Practice Essay Exam Questions
Focus on Gender/Politics

1 Hour/Question
Contains a central argument
Incorporate as many examples/sources as possible
Anecdotes and Arguments from the sources should be included often

1. How have gender relations changed since the 1970's? How was 2nd Wave Feminism successful and how has it fallen short? How did the Cold War impact the sexual revolution and gender issues in the 1970's-80's?

2. How did the Great Migration transform the United States politically, racially, economically, etc.?

3. How did capitalism/consumerism become dominant in American culture?

4. What were the inspirations for Progressivism, how did it impact American life and why did it fade out? What were major Progressive movements? What is the legacy of Progressivism?

5. How did racism fit into American foreign policy and military policy in the beginning of the twentieth century.

6. What particular issues have been at the heart of the African American struggle towards equal rights since reconstruction?

7. The United States has a mixed history in regards to the role of religion in government. How and why has this relationship between church and state shifted in the 20th century?

8. Discuss the relationship between working-class organization and protest and patterns of state and national political development. Consider the relationship in both directions: e.g. how did the actions of working people shape national state/political development and how did the nature and form of state and politics shape the nature and form of working-class protest and organization?

9. Discuss the relationship between racism and immigration in the 20th century. How did the arrival of different ethnic groups impact the treatment of those already established in the country?