Module 1 Short Responses – Question 1
In the following scenario, which historical lens is being applied? Why do you think so?
The influx of unskilled Irish immigrants into New York City in the 1840s and early 1850s
drives down wages for other workers at the low end of the salary ladder.
The historical lens being applied in this scenario is the social history lens.
Why Social History?
Social history, also known as 'history from below', focuses on the experiences of ordinary
people and social trends. It often involves the study of demographics, immigration, labor
movements, and societal changes. In this scenario, the focus is on the impact of Irish
immigration on the labor market and wages in New York City during the 1840s and 1850s.
This is a classic example of social history because it examines the effects of a large-scale
social trend (immigration) on a specific aspect of society (the labor market).
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 2
In the following scenario, which historical lens is being applied? Why do you think so?
In 1908 Aram Pothier, an immigrant from Quebec, is elected governor of Rhode Island with
strong support from the Québécois community.
The historical lens being applied in this scenario is the social history lens.
Why Social History?
Social history, also sometimes referred to as 'history from below', is a branch of history that
focuses on the social, economic, and cultural experiences of people, especially those from
marginalized or underrepresented groups. It often emphasizes the role of various social forces
and communities in shaping historical events.
In the given scenario, the election of Aram Pothier, an immigrant from Quebec, as the
governor of Rhode Island with strong support from the Quebecois community is a clear
example of social history. This event highlights the influence and power of the Quebecois
immigrant community in Rhode Island in the early 20th century. It also underscores the role
of immigrant communities in shaping political landscapes, which is a key focus of social
history.
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 3
In the following scenario, which historical lens is being applied? Why do you think so?
Irish immigrants and first-generation Irish-Americans come to dominate the hierarchy of the
American Catholic Church in the late 19th century.
The scenario you've described is being viewed through the social history lens.
Why Social History?
Social history, also known as 'history from below', focuses on the experiences, behaviors, and
perceptions of individuals or groups within a society. It often emphasizes the role of various
social forces and structures, such as class, race, religion, and ethnicity, in shaping historical
events and processes.
In this scenario, the focus is on the Irish immigrants and first-generation Irish-Americans, a
specific ethnic and religious group, and their rise within the hierarchy of the American
Catholic Church. This rise could be influenced by various social factors such as immigration
patterns, religious affiliations, and societal structures, which are all key areas of interest in
social history.
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 4
In the following scenario, which historical lens is being applied? Why do you think so?
Immigration to the United States comes to be seen as a "rite of passage" for young Québécois
women in the early 20th century.
The historical lens being applied in this scenario is the social history lens.
Why Social History?
Social history, also sometimes referred to as 'history from below', is a branch of history that
focuses on the social, economic, and cultural experiences of people, especially those who are
often overlooked in traditional historical narratives. It emphasizes the role of a variety of
social and cultural factors in shaping historical events and processes.
In the given scenario, the focus is on the experiences of young Quebecois women
immigrating to the United States in the early 20th century. This focus on a specific social
group and their experiences is characteristic of the social history lens.
The phrase "rite of passage" suggests an examination of the cultural and social significance of
immigration for these women, which is another key aspect of social history.
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 5
If you had to write a paper on the Lincoln assassination, what would you like to know
more about? Create three research questions that would be appropriate for a historical
analysis essay, keeping in mind the characteristics of a critical research question. The
three questions can be related, or they can address different aspects of the topic.
1. What were the immediate and long-term impacts of Lincoln's assassination on the
Reconstruction era?
2. How did the public perception of Abraham Lincoln change after his assassination?
3. What role did conspiracy theories play in the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination, and how
have these theories evolved over time?
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 6
If you had to write a paper on Title IX, what would you like to know more about?
Create three research questions that would be appropriate for a historical analysis
essay, keeping in mind the characteristics of a critical research question. The three
questions can be related, or they can address different aspects of the topic.
1. How has the interpretation and enforcement of Title IX evolved since its inception in
1972?
2. What impact has Title IX had on gender equality in educational institutions, particularly in
athletics?
3. How have legal challenges and Supreme Court rulings influenced the scope and
application of Title IX?
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 7
Write a research question that addresses the Irish immigrant experience through the
lens of political history.
How did the political climate in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries
influence the integration and political participation of Irish immigrants?"
Module 1 Short Responses – Question 8
Write a research question that addresses the Irish immigrant experience through the
lens of economic history.
"How did the economic conditions in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries
influence the socio-economic mobility and living standards of Irish immigrants?"
