This document is a study guide for a History 20 final that requires students to bring specific materials to the exam. It outlines one long essay question analyzing a passage about competing political visions in early 19th century America and their differing views on slavery, reform, and the nation's future development. Students must also choose two short essay questions to answer from a list of topics covering figures like Hamilton, Jefferson, Jackson, and issues such as the Second Great Awakening, slavery's regional entrenchment, and John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.

1. H ist ory 2 0 F inal
S t udy G uide
Please bring w it h you t o c lass a green book, a w rit ing t ool,
and one sheet of not es (front and bac k)
t hat you w ill be required t o t urn in w it h your t est .
R equired
Long E ssay (7 - 9 paragraphs)
Be spec ific , use exam ples, and quot es w here nec essary.
1 . “In the years between 1815 and 1848, two rival political
programs appeared, reflecting rival sets of hopes. Some
Americans felt largely satisfied with their society the way it
was, slavery and all, especially with the autonomy it provided
to so many individual white men and their local communities.
They wanted their familiar America extended across
space. Other Americans, however, were beguiled by the
prospect of improvement to pursue economic diversification
and social reform, even at the risk of compromising some
precious personal and local independence. They envisioned
qualitative, not just quantitative, progress for America.”
Explain this passage from Daniel Walker Howe. What are these
“rival political programs,” what specifically did they
want America to look like, and in what ways did they advocate
for their respective visions? Furthermore what is the
difference between “qualitative” and “quantitative” progress
and how do they differ? Finally, how does the Civil War
figure in these conflicting visions?

2. C hoose t w o: S hort E ssay (3 - 5 paragraphs)
Be spec ific , use exam ples, and quot es w here nec essary.
1 . Explain the difference between Alexander Hamilton’s vision
of the United States and Thomas Jefferson’s. Which
path or paths did America eventually take?
2 . Why was/is Andrew Jackson such a controversial figure?
3 . Who were the Whigs?
4 . What was the Second Great Awakening and how did it
animate the Age of Reform in the 1820s and 1830s?
5 . What was the Seneca Falls Convention and why was it
important?
6 . Why did slavery take root in the South and not in the North,
please be specific.
7 . Who was John Brown and why was his life and death
significant?
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