directions:
Pick one of the questions below and respond in a well-developed essay.
You are expected to formulate a historical argument responding to your chosen topic, and to defend that argument with historical evidence drawn from course materials (augmented, if you so desire, by external resources, but you must exercise care to use high quality sources if you choose to use external materials–the top Google hit does not necessarily qualify).
All sources that you CONSULT in the course of the writing process (NOT just those that you quote directly!!!) must be cited using proper MLA or Chicago Manual of Style format. Papers that lack in-text citations will receive failing grades.
A satisfactory answer will require a multi-paragraph essay, somewhere in the neighborhood of 750-1200 words, although this is a guideline, not a prescription. It is possible to write an “A” essay that is shorter than 750 words, and there is much to be said for brevity; that being said, you will need to create and develop an argument answering a fairly involved question, which is probably going to be hard to do effectively in much less than 750 words. Please don’t write too much more than 1200 words–strive for concision, and understand that I am not expecting you to write a giant research paper.
Not to be prescriptive, but one very effective format involves beginning with an introductory paragraph laying out your thesis–the gist of your argument. Subsequent paragraphs should provide evidence supporting your interpretation. A final paragraph should summarize the evidence and reiterate the argument.
There is no single “right” answer–you can make a variety of arguments on any of these questions. The key to a good grade is composing a clearly written, well-conceived argument, and supporting it with compelling historical evidence [properly cited using MLA or Chicago format (see the syllabus) with page numbers or FULL URLs–and no quoting Wikipedia, please, as you have several more focused, topical, higher quality sources in your textbooks]–employing primary source materials in support of your arguments is very much encouraged.
How to submit your completed essay:
1. Type your essay in your word-processing program. Make sure you include your name at the top of the first page.
2. Save the completed essay as either a .DOCX, .DOC, .PDF or .RTF [“rich text”–this should be an option in your word-processing program’s “Save as” dialogue box].
3. Go to the course homepage and upload the file into the appropriate folder using the Assignments tool. If you miss the submission deadline for any reason, please a) upload a copy of your paper to the Special Submissions dropbox, including a note in the submission comments field explaining any circumstances that I might consider as I make a decision as to whether or not to accept a late submission; b) email me ASAP to discuss the situation in more detail.
questions: (pick one!)
Support your answers drawing from course materials and assigned texts, augmented by other sources of evidence if you so desire
Analyze and evaluate Vladimir Lenin’s 1916 argument [in the Content section] regarding the origins of the Great War. Why does he think the Great Powers came to blows? Was he right? Why or why not?.
Trace the prewar attitudes of European socialists (including Lenin, Liebknecht, and Jaurs) toward war, militarism, and the state and explore the spectrum of actions of socialists in the belligerent countries once war came. How important were socialists in influencing the path toward war and in influencing its course?
Consider the psychological evolution of WWI soldiers in response to their status as soldiers (which was brand-new for many of them, and involuntary for a majority) and as veterans of combat. Did they change in their outlook in important ways? With regard to themselves? the war? their fellow soldiers? civilian society? Include insights from the primary source documents. [This is not simply an invitation to a discussion of PTSD, although that is certainly one aspect that could be covered.]
Analyze the persuasive techniques employed by Great War belligerents in their propaganda appeals to their citizens. What common elements do you note across borders, and what unique national characteristics do you note? Were there concrete ways in which such messaging was important in influencing the course of the war? Why or why not? Be sure to include analysis of primary source examples of wartime propaganda, including the posters linked from the Content section.
