Eleanor Roosevelt High School



ESSAY # 1  Name:_______________________________________________________ Per.____

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

explain means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of”

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

 Theme: Constitutional Principles

| United States Supreme Court cases have dealt with a variety of important issues that have affected American society. |

 Task:

| Select two Supreme Court cases that have affected American society. For each case selected: |

|Discuss the historical circumstances of the case |

|Explain the Court’s decision |

|Discuss the impact of the decision on American society in the case |

|  |

You may use any example from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include:

 McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) — federal supremacy Schenck v. United States (1919) — freedom of speech Korematsu v. United States (1944) — equal protection under the law Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) — equal protection under the law Engel v. Vitale (1962) — separation of church and state Miranda v. Arizona (1966) — rights of the accused Roe v. Wade (1973) — right to privacy Vernonia School District v. Acton (1995) — search and seizure

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

ESSAY #2 Name:_________________________________________ Per.__________

 

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

evaluate means “to examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine the value of”

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Territorial Expansion (1800–1900)

|Various events or developments have influenced the territorial expansion of the United States. In 1800, the United States was a |

|new nation of approximately 895,000 square miles of territory. By 1900, the nation had grown to about 3,000,000 square miles of |

|territory. |

Task:

|Identify two events or developments that had a significant impact on United States territorial expansion between 1800 and 1900 |

|and for each event or development identified: |

|Discuss the historical circumstances surrounding the event or development |

|Evaluate the importance of the event or development on the growth of the United States |

 You may use any example from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include Louisiana Purchase (1803), completion of the Erie Canal (1825), War with Mexico (1846–1848), Homestead Act (1862), completion of the first transcontinental railroad (1869), and Native American Indian policies (1800–1900).

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

Essay #3 Name:___________________________________________________ Per.___

  In developing your answer, be sure to keep this general definition in mind:

discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Constitutional Change

|Amendments to the United States Constitution have changed our government and our society. |

Task:

| Identify two amendments to the United States Constitution and for each: |

|·          Discuss the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the amendment |

|·          Discuss how the amendment changed the United States government and/or American society |

 You may use any constitutional amendment from your study of United States history.

Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the 1st Amendment — personal freedoms (1791), 15th amendment — right to vote (1870), 16th amendment — income tax (1913), 17th Amendment — election of senators (1913), 18th Amendment — Prohibition (1919), 19th Amendment — suffrage (1920), or 22nd Amendment — term limits (1951).

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

Essay # 4 Name:___________________________________________________________ Per.___

 

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it”

discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Influence of Geographic Factors on Governmental Actions

|Actions taken by the United States government have often been influenced by geographic factors. Some of these factors |

|include location, climate, natural resources, and physical features. |

 Task:

| Identify two actions taken by the United States government that have been influenced by geographic factors and for each |

|State one reason the United States took the action |

|Describe how a geographic factor influenced the action |

|Discuss the impact of the action on the United States |

You may use any action taken by the United States government that was influenced by a geographic factor. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804–1806), issuance of the Monroe Doctrine (1823), Mexican War (1846–1848), Commodore Perry’s opening of Japan (1853), passage of the Homestead Act (1862), purchase of Alaska (1867), construction of the Panama Canal (1904–1914), entry into World War II (1941), passage of the Interstate Highway Act (1956), and involvement in the Persian Gulf War (1991).

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

 

Essay # 5 Name:_________________________________________________ Per.___

 

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

explain means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of; to show the logical development or relationships of ”

discuss means “to make observations about something using fact, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

Theme: Change — Industrialization

| During the 19th century, the United States experienced tremendous industrial growth. This industrial growth resulted in |

|many changes in American life. |

 Task:

| Identify two changes in American life that resulted from industrial growth in the United States and for each change: |

|Explain how industrialization contributed to this change |

|Discuss one positive or one negative effect of this change on American life |

 You may use any appropriate change in American life that resulted from industrial growth. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include increased immigration, new inventions or technologies, growth of labor unions, growth of monopolies, growth of reform movements, and increased urbanization.

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

 

Essay #6 Name:________________________________________________ Per.___

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

describe means “to illustrate something in words or tell about it”

evaluate means to “examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine the value of”

 

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

 

Theme: Reform Movements in the United States

 

|Reform movements are intended to improve different aspects of American life. |

|Through the actions of individuals, organizations, or the government, the goals of |

|these reform movements have been achieved, but with varying degrees of success. |

 

Task:

 

|Identify two reform movements that have had an impact on American life and for |

|each |

|Discuss one major goal of the movement |

|Describe one action taken by an individual, an organization, or the government in an attempt to achieve this goal |

|Evaluate the extent to which this goal was achieved |

 

You may use any reform movement from your study of United States history. Some

suggestions you might wish to consider include the abolitionist movement, woman’s suffrage movement, temperance movement, Progressive movement, civil rights movement, women’s rights movement, and environmental movement.

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

Essay # 7 Name:________________________________________________ Per.____

 

In developing your answer, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:

discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and argument; to present in some detail”

evaluate means “examine and judge the significance, worth, or condition of; to determine the value of”

 

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

 

Theme: Foreign Policy

 

|Since 1900, United States foreign policy actions have often been based on national |

|self-interest. These actions have had immediate and long-term results. |

 

Task:

 

|Identify two important United States foreign policy actions since 1900 and for each: |

|·          Discuss the historical circumstances surrounding the action |

|·          Discuss one immediate or one long-term result of the action |

|·          Evaluate the extent to which the action promoted the nation’s self-interest |

 

You may use any important foreign policy action since 1900 from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include Theodore Roosevelt’s Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904), Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918), the Lend-Lease Act (1941), the Marshall Plan (1947), the blockade of Cuba (1962), the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreements (1972), and the Persian Gulf War (1991).

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

 

 

Essay #8 Name:__________________________________________________ per._____

Thematic Essay Question

Theme: Movements of People—Migration

 

| The movement of people into and within the United States has had a significant impact on the nation. These movements have been both |

|voluntary and involuntary. |

 

 Task:

 

|Select two periods of migration that had an impact on the United States and for each |

|• Describe the historical circumstances that led to the migration |

|• Discuss the impact of the migration on the United States |

 

 

You may use any period of migration from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include colonial settlement (1600s–1700s), westward expansion (1800s), rural to urban migration (1870s–1920s), European immigration (1880–1910), the Dust Bowl (1930s), suburbanization (1950s–1960s), and illegal immigration (1990 to the present).

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

Essay #9 Name:_____________________________________ Per.:_____

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

 

Theme: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions — Controversial Issues

 

|Many controversial domestic issues have divided the American people. The United States government has taken actions to address these issues. |

 

Task:

 

|Identify one controversial domestic issue that has divided the American people and |

|• Discuss the historical background of the controversy |

|• Explain the point of view of those who supported this issue |

|• Explain the point of view of those who opposed this issue |

|• Discuss one United States government action that was taken to address this issue |

|  |

 

You may use any controversial domestic issue that has divided the American people.

Some suggestions you might wish to consider include placing Native American Indians on

reservations, slavery, women’s suffrage, Prohibition, the use of child labor, and the policy of

unlimited immigration.

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

Essay #10 Name:___________________________________________ Per.____

THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION

 

Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.

 

Theme: Contributions of Individuals to American Life

 

|Throughout the 20th century, individuals attempted to address problems within American society. Their efforts have had a significant impact on|

|American life. |

 

Task:

 

|Identify two individuals who have had a significant impact on American life during the 20th century and for each |

|• Describe a problem in American society that the individual tried to change |

|• Discuss an important contribution made by the individual to address this problem |

|• Evaluate the impact of the contribution on American life |

 

You may use any historically significant individual from your study of 20th-century United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include Upton Sinclair, Henry Ford, Langston Hughes, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Betty Friedan, Rachel Carson, Cesar Chavez, and Bill Gates.

 

You are not limited to these suggestions.

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