History 3332 – Spring 2017 Midterm Essay

You will write an essay of approximately 6-8 pages in length (double spaced, 1 inch margins all-around, no extra spacing between paragraphs, 12-point Times New Roman font). No paper should be longer than 8 pages.

You will use information which has been used for the class (the Ferguson text, the documents found in the Arnstein reader). Information from class (other than references to documents) may be considered common knowledge—that means you should not cite a class lecture or your instructor. When you use any of the sources, you should cite correctly using either a parenthetical reference (MLA) or Chicago (Turabian) style. (Please note that I will deduct points if you use information other than what’s indicated above.)

I’m assuming your knowledge of the critical essay form as well as your ability to cite correctly. Your essays will be graded based on argument/logic, evidence used, and grammar/syntax. Specifically they will be marked according to the standard History essay/research paper/project rubric found on the History program’s resource page: https://txwes.edu/academics/natural-and-social-sciences/undergraduate-programs/history/history-resources/

The essay is due not later than 7pm on 7 March. You will turn in the essay on Blackboard.

Things to keep in mind:

1.     Arguments differ from opinion in that you must provide specific pieces of evidence to support what you’re writing.

2.     Your opinion is not important; I am not asking for it and I don’t want it.

3.     Whatever your own personal convictions or values, you must assess the material critically and objectively. Do not use first person in your essay.

4.    While the question is largely ideological, this is a history class so context is important. (Ideas do not operate independently of such things as events and geography.)

Write an essay that

• Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence (documents).
• Fully addresses the question.
• Analyzes the documents by organizing them in an appropriate way. (Do not simply summarize the documents individually or provide quote after quote—remember that to quote tells the reader you know how to copy; to paraphrase and cite demonstrates that you understand the significance of the source.)
• Takes the authors’ points of view (i.e. biases) into account.

Refer to relevant historical information (i.e. context) where appropriate. Again, this is a history class!

Essay: Essentially you will be providing a progress report for Britain by the middle of the nineteenth century. In class we’ve covered the Glorious Revolution of 1688 (and even its influence on the colonies (eg. India, the US) and Europe (eg. Enlightenment/French Revolution)). We’ve also looked at the influence of Adam Smith and the rise wage labor system and the Industrial Revolution. In the documents you have examined some of the social consequences/reactions (eg. Marxism, natural population controls) as well as some of the political effects (liberals and conservatives) of industry in Britain. You should be familiar with all of this material from the assigned readings—especially the primary sources.

Keep in mind that this question can be answered in a variety of ways. On a fundamental level, however, you are looking at Britain from two perspectives and, for each of those, within two specific areas. What you argue (your thesis) and the sources/examples you select is up to you.

Question: Considering both the domestic sphere and Britain’s experience with its colonies, access the effectiveness of the political changes brought on by the Glorious Revolution and the social changes of the period of the Industrial Revolution by the mid nineteenth century.