Review for the Comprehensive final exam for History 1302 Sum ✓ Solved

The exam consists of three parts: a long essay, identifications, and an essay over the book, The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore. Each student will be randomly assigned one of the essay topics. There is a list of terms, and ten of them will be randomly chosen for students to identify four. Students should not repeat information from their identifications in their essays. Identifications should include a short paragraph that explains who or what the term is, when it happened, and its significance, connecting it to broader themes discussed in the course.

Possible essay topics include:

• Discuss African Americans' struggle for Civil Rights from the Civil War through the 1960s, covering key events, legislation, and groups involved.
• Discuss fears of communism, socialism, and anarchism in the United States and their impact on domestic policy through historical events.
• Discuss U.S. foreign policy based on Open Trade and the spread of capitalism, relating to significant historical context and events.

Terms for identification will include concepts such as the Battle of Wounded Knee, Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and others. Each identification should connect the term to larger historical issues.

The essay based on The Secret History of Wonder Woman will focus on connections between Marston's life, the suffrage movement, feminist views, and cultural influences throughout history. Specific examples from the book will be required to support the discussion.

Paper For Above Instructions

The struggle for African Americans' civil rights from the post-Civil War era until the 1960s represents a tumultuous period in American history marked by significant transformations and enduring challenges. The journey towards equality began with the end of the Civil War and the subsequent emancipation of enslaved individuals. The Reconstruction era promised new rights and opportunities but was met with fierce resistance. The Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) institutionalized segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal," legitimizing racial discrimination across the United States.

As the 20th century unfolded, the disenfranchisement of African Americans resurfaced through mechanisms like the poll tax and literacy tests established by the Second Mississippi Plan. These tactics aimed to suppress African American voters significantly. Nevertheless, organizations such as the NAACP energized the fight against racial injustice, leading to landmark legal battles like Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

The narrative of the civil rights movement continued with pivotal moments like the events surrounding the Little Rock Nine in 1957, where federal troops were deployed to enforce integration in Arkansas. The emergence of peaceful protests, including sit-ins and freedom rides, were essential strategies within the movement, showcasing the resolve and resilience of African Americans in demanding their rights. The passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 culminated decades of struggle, aiming to eradicate discrimination and secure voting rights. The roles played by advocacy groups like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and youth organizations like the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), are critical in understanding this journey.

Parallel to the domestic civil rights struggles, fears of communism, socialism, and anarchism also shaped policies and public sentiment. The Haymarket Riot in 1886 and the actions of labor unions were depicted as threats to American democracy during the early industrial era. The First Red Scare in the aftermath of the Bolshevik Revolution led to widespread paranoia, exemplified by figures like A. Mitchell Palmer and his 1919 raids aimed at deporting alleged radicals.

Fast forward to the late 1930s and into the 1940s—the climate of fear intensified with the Second Red Scare and the rise of figures like Senator Joe McCarthy, catalyzing political witch hunts. Events like the trials of Sacco and Vanzetti illustrated the intersection of immigration fears and labor disputes. The media became a critical tool for propagating anti-communist sentiments, profoundly influencing policies at home and abroad. The fascination with communism as a political weapon can be traced through events such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars, where U.S. efforts aimed to stop the "Domino Effect" of communism's spread in Asia. In Latin America and the Middle East, U.S. actions, as seen with the Marshall Plan and challenges such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, reflected this ongoing narrative.

The examination of U.S. foreign policy based on open trade and the promotion of capitalism is essential to understanding the nation’s global interactions and objectives in the 20th century. The Spanish-American War marked a significant turn towards imperialism, revealing commitments to both military intervention and economic expansion. The desire to connect through trade, particularly with China, was articulated in the Open Door Notes, emphasizing the need for access to Asian markets. The construction of the Panama Canal bolstered trade routes while simultaneously expanding U.S. strategic influence in the region.

Moreover, the U.S. relations with Japan developed significantly before WWII, notably as Japan's imperial ambitions threatened American trading interests. The post-war global landscape was marked by the Marshall Plan and the formation of NATO, underscoring the Cold War dynamics. The U.S. involvement in the Korean and Vietnam Wars resulted from a staunch commitment to contain any communist encroachment on these regions, which reflected a broader ideology that continued to shape American foreign policies for decades.

In examining the ideologies underpinning the movements towards civil rights, anti-communism, and the promotion of capitalism, one can see the complex interplay between social justice and national policy. Each essay presents a unique opportunity to delve into systemic issues that shaped the American narrative, showcasing the intricate tapestry of historical events.

References

• Branch, T. (1988). Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63. Simon & Schuster.
• Burns, R. (2007). To the Mountaintop: My Journey Through the Civil Rights Movement. Knopf.
• Clarke, J. (2019). Red Scare: A New History of Anti-Communism in America. University of Massachusetts Press.
• Lepore, J. (2014). The Secret History of Wonder Woman. Knopf.
• McAdam, D. (1999). Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970. University of Chicago Press.
• Roth, J. (2015). The Rise of the American Conservative Movement. Routledge.
• Scott, J. (2020). A Companion to the Civil Rights Movement. Wiley.
• Stone, I. (1976). Perilous Times: An inside look at the Red Scare. Houghton Mifflin.
• Tilford, J. (2004). Rekindling the Alliance: U.S.-Japan Relations in the Twenty-First Century. Stanford Security Studies.
• Woods, C. (2015). Communism and Anti-Communism in the World Today. Harvard University Press.