Chicano Exam1

Chicano/a Studies 245: History of the Americas   Spring  2016   Exam  #  1  

 

Utilizing  the  assigned  reading  please  write  a  five  page  (double  spaced,  12  pt.  font)  essay  in   response  the  following  question.  Your  essay  will  be  evaluated  on  the  basis  of  your  ability  to   make  statements,  substantiate  those  statements  with  evidence  and  other  forms  of  logic,  and   provide  analysis  of  the  issues  addressed  in  your  response.  Be  sure  to  include  a  thorough  thesis   statement,  introduction,  and  conclusion.  For  evaluation  criteria,  please  consult  the  “Evaluation   Guideline  for  Exams  and  Papers”  that  was  posted  today.    

       

1. Using  Gutiérrez,  Latinos  and  Latinas  at  Risk,  and  Acuña  and  Compeán,  Voices  of  the  US   Latino  Experience  address  the  following  points.      

a. Address  the  significance  and  consequences  of  19th  Century  US  foreign  policy   and  early  diplomatic  and  legislative  attempts  by  the  US  government  to  expand   westward  and  throughout  the  hemisphere.  Identify  and  discuss  the  rationales   that  were  used  for  encroachment  on  western  and  southern  territories.  What   examples  existed  in  opposition  to  “expansion”?  Consider  major  issues  reflected   in  the  documents  and  reading  concerning  the  seizing  of  territory,  the  slave   question,  support  and  opposition  to  attempts  to  acquire  more  territory.  What,  if   anything,  does  this  tell  us  about  the  US  design  for  the  western  hemisphere?    

b. Discuss  the  functions  of  diplomatic,  economic,  political,  and  military  attempts     to  acquire  more  land  and  resources.  What  were  the  consequences  of  such   attempts  in  the  hemisphere  and  in  what  became  the  United  States?  What  forms   of  accommodation  and  resistance  took  place  in  response  to  encroachment?    

c. What  were  the  ultimate  consequences  of  the  Mexican  American  War?    Was  it   more  a  practice  of  “expansion,”  as  some  have  argued?  Or,  was  it  more   characteristic  of  “conquest,”  as  others  have  argued?  Provide  examples  to   substantiate  your  claims.