Midterm Advance Essay Questions

Midterm Exam Advance Essay Questions
Kate J. Flick
History 521A Fall 2009

You should be able to deal with ONE of these questions on your exam. You are expected to prepare your essay of about 400 words in advance so that you are able to write a well-organized and well-written essay valued at 50% of your exam. No materials may be brought into the exam room to assist you with writing your essay. You will be asked to prepare an outline for your essay which will be worth marks.
1. Explain the origins of the Renaissance in Italy and the spread of its influence throughout the remainder of Europe using specific information to support your discussion. Show how specific ideas, inventions, and art were influential in changing society.
2. Discuss the Protestant Reformation – how it began and how it spread in Europe. Consider the impact this had on society, the state and the Church. How did religious division affect countries in Europe and the new colonies?
3. Discuss the idea of mercantilism. How did it operate? Discuss the relationship between mercantilism and the expansion of empires. Discuss trade and the development of colonies and new financial institutions in Europe. You should also touch on the role slavery played in this economy.
4. In the second term we will be studying revolutions in England, France, and America. From your study in term one, consider the factors that point to conditions for revolution. You will need to consider absolutism, colonialism, and the rise of the merchant or middle class power and wealth as well as the condition of the poorer countries.
5. How were the ideas of Machiavelli (see pgs. 186-89) influential or identifiable in the behavior of European rulers in this period, especially the absolute monarchs? Comment on the effects of his ideas, positive or negative. You will have to read the selection from The Prince (386-89).
6. If you have an essay question of your own you would like to propose, write out the question and bring it to me for review and approval. This must be done in advance (I will not accept proposals the day of the exam).
Please do not hesitate to approach me with ideas/questions concerning this essay. I will not, however, read drafts of your essay. Remember that the quality of your essay depends greatly on the thinking you do during its preparation. You should create an outline and draft of your essay to help you prepare. During this exam, there is sufficient time to outline, draft and re-write your essay if you have done your planning properly.
Basic criteria for the essay:
 Proper essay format (must be a minimum of 5 paragraphs); well organized
 Double-spaced
 Proofread and edited
 Carefully organized around a clear thesis
 Effective introductory and concluding paragraphs
 Originality of insight and evidence of additional research will earn points.