Final Exam Advance Essay Questions

Final Exam Advance Essay Questions


Kate J. Flick

History 521A June 2013

You should be able to deal with ONE of the following 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 30-40% 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. We studied revolutions in England and America. From your study in this course, 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.



2. Discuss the significance of the Scientific Revolution and its impact on people’s lives, beliefs, and ideas. You should consider the Scientific Method, the emerging tension between religious belief and scientists’ observations, the ways in which the Scientific Method was applied to areas other than the natural world and the attempts by people to reconcile belief and this new method.



3. Discuss the significance of the Enlightenment or Age of Reason for our history. One section in our textbook talks about “The Triumph of Reason”. What does that mean? Were there any shortcomings of this new approach to almost every aspect of life? What impact did the ideas have for government? How did it affect reform efforts? Artistic expression? Try to find a thesis which deals with what you conclude is the real significance of this time.



4. How did Britain evolve into a constitutional monarchy? What forces and issues led to this and why was revolution relatively short-lived? What influence would this new system of government have on other countries? Why did Britain not extend the same reforms to her colonies?



5. The essay question focuses on the nature of progress, or the belief that things have been getting better. You are asked to think about all of the history we have studied this term and write a persuasive essay arguing either:

1) History has been a steady progression of improvements and we, as a people, are better than we were 400 years ago. OR

2) History has not been a steady progression of improvements and, in fact, we are no better (if not worse) than we were 400 years ago.

For option #5, you will be expected to support your opinion with historical examples. The essay structure will be as follows:

Paragraph 1: Introduction including a clear thesis statement.

Paragraph 2: Historical example 1 and details about the example that support your thesis.

Paragraph 3: Historical example 2 and details about the example that support your thesis.

Paragraph 4: Historical example 3 and details about the example that support your thesis.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion that summarizes your arguments and clearly restates your thesis.



Basic criteria for all essays:

Proper essay format (minimum of 5 paragraphs); well organized

Double-spaced

Proof-read and edited

Carefully organized around a clear thesis

Effective introductory and concluding paragraphs

Originality of insight