Welcome to HIST 1302 Online
United States History, 1877-

Part I:  Foundations for Contemporary America:  
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 1877-1914

In this half of the course you will follow the United States’ tumultuous transformation from a largely rural, agricultural society--recently reunited after a bloody Civil War -- to an urban, industrial one. The transformation of the nation’s financial structure from a land-based economy to a money-based economy had been under way for some time, but culminated in this period.  These changes stimulated great social change that reached crisis proportions in a number of areas. Chief among these were race relations, industrialization and labor relations, farmers’ relations to the rest of society, and, at the end of the nineteenth century, dramatic developments in America's relations to the rest of the world.  
Your Assignments for Part 1 

 1.  Answer two (2) essay questions of your choosing from the "Essay Questions" below (submit together via Blackboard, Course Tools, Assignments).     
 2.  Summarize seven (7) offsite web pages linked within the course website pages (submit together via Blackboard, Course Tools, Assignments).     
 3.  Complete the Course Website Quiz 1; this is an un-timed quiz. (complete in Blackboard, Course Tools, Assessment) 
 4.  Complete the Textbook Quiz 1; this is an un-timed and open book quiz. (complete in Blackboard, Course Tools, Assessment) 
 5.  Complete the Midterm Exam in the Testing Center. (in person) 
Part 1 Course Web Pages:  

1.  Race Relations in the United States, 1877-1914

2.  Labor:  Transformation of Work and Workers, 1866-1919

3.  The Rural Poor Majority:  Farmer Protests, 1870s-1890s

4.  The New American Imperialism, 1898-

 

Essay Questions 
Select any two (2) of the following and write a factually accurate, well-written and thoughtful essay in which you demonstrate your command of the reading assignments on this site, the linked sites and the text.  The essays will be evaluated for their substance (accuracy and detail), insight (level of analysis and thoughtfulness) and writing (adherence to format requirements, mechanics [spelling, punctuation, grammar], clarity and ease of expression).   Do not be intimidated by the questions.  Once you have given yourself time to read the textbook assignments and read and explore this site, your confidence in your ability to answer these questions will increase.  If you have questions, call me at (972) 881-5834 or email me at Kwilkison@ccccd.edu.  

1.  Summarize the African-American experience in matters of public policy from 1870-1920.  Be sure you describe or summarize the Reconstruction Amendments, "season of hope," the "Exodusters," disfranchisement and segregation, the role of the Supreme Court, terrorism and national and regional leaders.  Were African-Americans better off in the 1910s compared to the 1870s and 1880s?  Why or why not?

2. Describe industrialization's impact on workers.  How did work, status and ownership of preindustrial artisans compare with the work, status and ownership of industrial workers?  Summarize the response of industrial workers to their new condition.  Tell as much as you can about the organized labor movement. 

3.  The decade of the 1890s saw a substantial revolt against the two "old" parties by the People's Party. What factors led to this mass protest against the emerging economic structure of late nineteenth century America?  Which groups of voters tended to support this party?  Explain four specific solutions the Populists offered in their party platforms.  Assess the People's Party's impact.   

4.  The decade of the 1890s saw the United States make a dramatic entrance into global politics with the acquisition of an off-shore empire.  Describe the process, economic, social, military and political, that may explain the coming of the Spanish-American War and its aftermath.  Be sure to include an accurate accounting of America's new holdings after the war.

5.  Compare/contrast the presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson with respect to "progressivism."  What was "progressivism" and how did it manifest itself in the administrations of these two presidents?  This question can be answered from a careful reading of chapters 22 and 23 in the text.  
Internet Web Page Summaries
Select seven web pages that you find linked within the text of topics 1-4 above (1. "Race," 2. "Labor," 3. "Revolt" and, 4 "World Power") and write one paragraph each summarizing the contents.  For example, topic #2 above, "Labor:  The Transformation of Work and Workers, 1866-1919," contains the link "Great Southwest Strike."  Students wishing to select that website would simply follow the link in blue text, read its contents and write a paragraph summarizing what they learned from that website.  
Midterm Exam Study Guide