Exam 15: The Ferment of Reform and Culture, 1790-1860

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -Francis Parkman

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Francis Parkman (1823–1893) was an American historian and writer who is best known for his works on the history of the North American frontier and the early United States. His most significant contribution to American historiography is his monumental series "France and England in North America," which consists of several volumes written over many years.

Parkman's historical significance lies in several key areas:

1. **Pioneering Research Methods**: Parkman was one of the first historians to practice rigorous historical research methods. He traveled extensively, visiting many of the sites he wrote about, and he consulted a wide range of sources, including original documents, archives, and oral histories from Native Americans. His dedication to primary source research set a new standard for historical scholarship.

2. **Vivid Narrative Style**: Unlike many of his contemporaries, Parkman wrote history with a narrative flair that made his works accessible and engaging to a broad audience. His storytelling ability helped to popularize history among the general public and influenced the way history was written, moving it away from dry recitations of facts to more lively and descriptive accounts.

3. **Focus on the Frontier**: Parkman's work focused on the struggle between France and England for control of North America, the impact of European colonization on Native American peoples, and the westward expansion of the United States. His attention to these themes anticipated the later work of Frederick Jackson Turner, who famously argued that the American frontier was central to shaping the national character.

4. **Depiction of Native Americans**: Although Parkman's portrayal of Native Americans was colored by the biases of his time, he was one of the first historians to attempt to understand and describe the complexity of Native American societies and their role in the history of the continent. His work contributed to a more nuanced view of Native American history, even if it was not free from the prejudices of the 19th century.

5. **Influence on Historiography**: Parkman's works have had a lasting impact on the field of American historiography. His emphasis on a continental approach to North American history, his narrative style, and his methodological innovations influenced generations of historians.

Some of Parkman's most notable works include "The Oregon Trail" (1849), which recounts his experiences on a two-month excursion during the summer of 1846, and the multi-volume series "France and England in North America," which includes titles such as "The Pioneers of France in the New World" (1865), "The Jesuits in North America in the Seventeenth Century" (1867), and "Montcalm and Wolfe" (1884).

In summary, Francis Parkman is historically significant for his pioneering research methods, his narrative style of writing history, his focus on the North American frontier and its impact on American identity, his early attempts to portray Native American societies, and his lasting influence on the field of American historiography.

Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -Mormons

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The Mormons, officially known as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), are a religious group that originated in the United States during the early 19th century. The historical significance of the Mormons can be identified in several key areas:

**Founding and Persecution:**
The LDS Church was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 in upstate New York. Smith claimed to have been visited by God the Father and Jesus Christ and later by an angel named Moroni, who directed him to a set of golden plates that he translated into the Book of Mormon. The church faced intense persecution due to its unorthodox practices, such as polygamy, and its members' tendency to vote as a bloc, which threatened local political balances.

**Migration and Settlement:**
Due to ongoing persecution, the Mormons undertook a significant migration westward, led by Brigham Young after the death of Joseph Smith, who was murdered by a mob in 1844. This migration culminated in the establishment of Salt Lake City in the Utah Territory in 1847, where the Mormons could practice their religion freely. The settlement of the Utah Territory by the Mormons was a significant event in the westward expansion of the United States.

**Economic and Social Contributions:**
The Mormons were instrumental in the development of the American West. They established efficient agricultural practices, built cities, and engaged in trade. Their practice of irrigation and communal living helped to make the arid Utah region productive. They also constructed the Salt Lake Temple, which remains a central symbol of the faith.

**Polygamy and Legal Conflicts:**
One of the most controversial aspects of early Mormonism was the practice of polygamy, which led to significant legal conflicts with the United States government. The church officially renounced polygamy in 1890, which was a key step toward Utah's acceptance as a state in 1896.

**Modern Influence:**
Today, the LDS Church is a global religion with millions of members worldwide. It has a strong organizational structure and is known for its emphasis on family, community service, missionary work, and humanitarian aid. The church's welfare system and disaster relief efforts are widely respected.

**Cultural Impact:**
Mormons have had a significant cultural impact, including contributions to music, literature, business, and politics. Prominent Mormons have served in various public offices, including Mitt Romney, who was the Republican nominee for President of the United States in 2012.

In summary, the historical significance of the Mormons lies in their founding under unique religious circumstances, their role in the westward expansion of the United States, their social and economic contributions, their complex relationship with American law and society, and their ongoing influence in various spheres of life both in the United States and around the world.

The text's authors contend that early-nineteenth-century Americans "were more interested in practical gadgets than in pure science," and it is widely believed that Americans have always had a love affair with technology. What political, economic, and social factors would account for this asserted long-standing American love affair with technology?

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There are several political, economic, and social factors that could account for the long-standing American love affair with technology.

Politically, the United States has a history of promoting innovation and technological advancement through government policies and funding. This can be seen in initiatives such as the space race, the development of the internet, and various research and development programs. The government's support for technological progress has likely contributed to a culture that values and embraces new technologies.

Economically, the United States has been a leader in technological innovation, which has driven economic growth and prosperity. The country's capitalist system rewards innovation and entrepreneurship, leading to a strong emphasis on technological development and adoption. Additionally, the widespread availability of consumer goods and the constant push for newer, better products have likely contributed to the American love affair with technology.

Socially, American culture has often celebrated the idea of progress and improvement, and technology is seen as a means to achieve these goals. The media and popular culture often portray technology as exciting and transformative, further fueling the public's fascination with new gadgets and advancements. Additionally, the emphasis on individualism and self-improvement in American society may also contribute to the desire for the latest and greatest technologies.

Overall, the combination of political support for innovation, economic incentives for technological advancement, and a social culture that values progress and individualism likely accounts for the long-standing American love affair with technology.

One strong prejudice inhibiting women from obtaining higher education in the early nineteenth century was the belief that

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In the first half of the nineteenth century, tax-supported schools were

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -John J. Audubon

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A third revolution accompanied the reformation of American politics and the transformation of the American economy in the mid-nineteenth century that contained all of the following characteristics except

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Those seeking to reform women's style of dress in the 1840s claimed all of the following except

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The text's authors label Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville "literary individualists and dissenters." Against what were they dissenting? Why?

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -​New Harmony

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -Millerites

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -​Federal Style of architecture

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​Each of the following multiple choice questions has multiple correct responses. Select the correct responses for each of the following questions. -In early-nineteenth-century America,

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The American medical profession by 1860 was noted for

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -Knickerbocker Group

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -"Declaration of Sentiments"

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The Second Great Awakening tended to

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The Deist faith embraced all of the following except

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Identify and state the historical significance of the following: -Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Many of the denominational liberal arts colleges founded as a result of the Second Great Awakening

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