HISTORY CLASS

2

1. World War I arguably resulted both from deep, systemic problems within Western societies and from more immediate causes in 1914 and in the years immediately prior to 1914. Describe these general and proximate causes of the war. What in your view were the most important factors that led the Western powers to war in 1914? In addition, the war left behind a difficult, bitter legacy. In the last part of your essay, describe the immediate post-war settlement and discuss its influence in the subsequent two decades. Your essay should include material from at least two primary sources in our source textbook, Sources of the Western Tradition.

2. From the late eighteenth century to the present nationalism has had a tremendous influence on many Western states and peoples. Describe the main characteristics of nationalism and then discuss instances in which nationalism was a factor either for the unifying of peoples and states or for dividing and destroying them. Be sure to include at least one example from the nineteenth century and one from the twentieth century. Your essay should include material from at least two primary sources in our source textbook, Sources of the Western Tradition.

3. The authors of our textbook, Making Europe: The Story of the West, describe the period from 1929 to 1945 (the end of World War II) under the rubric “Democracy Under Siege.” The two states discussed in the greatest detail in this chapter are the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin and Germany under Adolf Hitler. Do you see these two states as more similar to, or more different from each other? If you see them as more different, then what are the primary differences, and if similar, what are the key similarities? A full answer will also take into account the opposing point of view. How central to the history of Western civilization do you see the trajectory of these states up to 1945? Your essay should include material from at least two primary sources in our source textbook, Sources of the Western Tradition.