Seemueller’s American Studies Spring Oral Final Questions
1.
Discuss the Progressive Movement and the role that it played in the lives of Americans from the late 19 th
century to the early 20th century. (Who were the major reformers? What were some of the major pieces of
legislation that resulted? Which piece of legislation was the most progressive/brought the greatest benefits
for the most Americans? Why was it a natural outgrowth of the Gilded Age?)
2.
Discuss the social problems that the United States experienced following the Civil War. (What was the result
of Reconstruction? Why did it end? What racial issues led to tension/unrest in both the North and the South?
Detail the ways in which Southerners were able to limit the influence of African Americans in the South
“legally.”)
3.
Compare and contrast the attitudes of Senator Albert Beveridge, Senator George Hoar, and President
McKinley towards the annexation of the Philippines. (What did they argue, who do you agree with most,
why, and which man’s attitude, if adopted by the U.S., would reap the greatest benefits for the U.S. in the
short-term/long-term?)
4.
Compare and contrast the experience of three immigrant groups between the mid-19th century and the early
20th century. (What was driving the immigration, what were their intentions in America? Be sure to include a
thorough discussion of advantages, disadvantages, and hardships faced by each group)
5.
Discuss the Monroe Doctrine and the reasoning behind it. Then discuss Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe
Doctrine. Why did Roosevelt issue the corollary? Provide at least two examples of how the U.S. exercised
its will in Latin America with the Corollary as a pretext.
6.
Discuss, in detail, at least four major changes that took place during the 1920s that support the following
allegation: The 1920s were a time of great social change in the United States.
7.
Outline the sequence of events that led to the Great Depression in the United States. (What were the major
causes? [be able to discuss at least four major causes in detail] Were there warning signs that could have
been identified beforehand?) Then, discuss the relationship between the Great Depression in the United
States and the worldwide depression that ensued? How did Hoover’s policies and F.D.R.’s policies differ?
Were F.D.R’s policies successful?
8.
What do you believe to be the three most important pieces of legislation regarding U.S. immigration? Why?
(Be prepared to discuss all three in detail) Which piece of legislation has had the greatest influence
(socially/economically/politically) on the United States today? Why? (Be prepared to discuss specifics)
9.
Discuss American sentiment at home toward the Spanish-American War, WWI, and the Vietnam War. For
each conflict, did American sentiment change or remain the same as each conflict progressed (prior to
conflict, during conflict, after conflict)? For each conflict, what were the greatest costs and benefits to the
United States?
10. Be able to support and refute three of the following statements:
a. President Theodore Roosevelt should be considered one of the greatest American presidents.
b. President Woodrow Wilson should be considered one of the greatest American presidents.
c. Franklin Roosevelt should be considered one of the greatest American presidents.
d. Lyndon Johnson should be considered one of the greatest American presidents.
11. How has the promise of the Declaration of Independence been fulfilled or neglected throughout the
Reconstruction to Cold War eras? (Minimum of four specific examples are needed. Be able to argue at least
two ways in which it has and two ways in which it has not.)
12. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois ultimately had the same goal, but proposed two very different
means of obtaining it. How did their proposed means of obtaining racial equality differ? Which one do you
believe had the stronger/better argument and why?