Mid-term Examination: History 140
DUE: MONDAY OCTOBER 19TH OR TUESDAY OCTOBER 20TH DEPENDING ON WHEN YOUR
CLASS MEETS. ABSOLUTELY NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GIVEN.
ESSAY: (50 points total) Provide a typed, 12 font, double-spaced, 5 page minimum 7 page maximum
response to the following essay question. (1.5” margins maximum) Submission of work less than 5
pages will result in an automatic grade of “F” for this part midterm. All parts of the question must be
answered for credit to be awarded. NO OUTSIDE reading is required for responding to these questions.
1. What factors led to the economic revolution that began to transform China beginning in the late
1970s. Why did the economic development of China begin so late in the history of the country?
How did Deng Xiaoping’s regime go about jump-starting the new system of “Socialism with
Chinese Characteristics? Why did China not experience the same levels of political upheaval
and economic collapse that the former Soviet Union (RUSSIA) saw with the collapse of
Communism in Eastern Europe? What are some of the major challenges that face the Chinese
Communist Party in the coming decades?
Short Essays: (20 points per essay = 40pts total) Provide a typed, size 12 font, double-spaced 2 page
minimum 3 page maximum PER QUESTION response to the following essays. (1.5” margins maximum)
Submission of work less than 2 pages will result in an automatic grade of “F” for this part of the
midterm. All parts of the question must be answered for credit to be awarded. NO OUTSIDE reading is
required for responding to these questions.
1. Explain the various factors that led to the Arab Spring / Awakening. Be sure to discuss the role
of both domestic players and external powers in influencing the Arab Revolution of the 2000s to
present day. What has been positive and negative about the Revolution for the peoples of the
Middle East.
2. Outline the current environmental and demographic issues facing East Asia and the Middle East.
Be sure to provide clear examples from the readings to support your essay.
Short-answer: (5 points each = 10 points total) Provide a typed, size 12 font, double-spaced 1 page
minimum 2 page maximum response PER QUESTION to the following questions. (1.5” margins
maximum) Submission of work less than one page will result in an automatic grade of “F” for this part of
the exam.
1. Explain the short and long term significance of the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 in shaping the
history of the modern Middle East.
2. Explain the significance of the Korean War in shaping the post-World War II world in East
Asia…and beyond.
FINAL NOTES to REMEMBER BEFORE SUMBITTING YOUR ESSAYS:
1. Review your essay for grammar and spelling PRIOR to handing it in. I would strongly
recommend having someone (more than one person) read your work prior to you submitting
your exam.
2. Do not copy and paste text/information from the readings. This action constitutes plagiarism
and will result in an automatic “F” for the entire midterm.
3. Do not use quotations at all. Everything should be in your own words.
4. Do not cite sources.
5. Provide clear examples that demonstrate your command of the materials covered in the first 7
weeks of class.