Friday, December 16, 2011

Optional Paper

For thoe of you who choose to do a paper before the Christmas break, choose one of the three essay questions below. Answer the question in a 4-5 page essay.

1. "Although historically represented as distinct parties, the Federalists and the Whigs in fact shared a common political ideology, represented many of the same interest groups, and proposed similar programs and policies." Assess the validity of the statement.

2. Jacksonian democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. To what extent do you agree with the Jacksonians' view of themselves?

3. "Although Americans perceived Manifest Destiny as a benevolent movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others." Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to American expansionism from 1800-1850.

**Note: To "assess the validity" means to explain in what ways and to what extent the statement is true or false.

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