History 304 F08 Takehome Final Exam Due Wednesday, 12/17 @ 12:45, no exceptions

Section I: Everyone will write a response to this question, and then proceed to section #2. The CM question should cover about three pages.

The Communist Manifesto clearly had/has great importance in the political and economic world view well beyond its original publication in 1848. How did this become one of the most influential documents, revolutionizing history, even beyond Rousseau? What effects did it have in the 20^th century? Finally, what specific problems were encountered in Russia’s implementation of these ideas?

Section II: Choose ONE of the following and write a thoughtful, well supported essay. You may use whatever sources you like to support your argument, but they MAY NOT BE FROM THE INTERNET. You must cite your sources. The paper should be typed and not exceed five pages, double-spaced, 1” margins, 12pt font. (neither should it be shorter than 4 pages).

1. Explain the development of Russia’s participation in the European political and military arena in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. How did Russia become allied and separated from the West in the 20^th century, and how are the political issues both divisive and conjoining? Where were the points of agreement and disagreement? Who were the major players, what did each thing/argue for, and was he/she right? What was the final outcome?

2. Why do some historians argue that WW II is just a continuation of WW I? Factor into your answer specific historical details that make you think yes/no. What other options were there? Was the second world war inevitable? Why/not? How did political alliances and treaties factor into this?

3. Compare the post-war societies of WWI and WWII Europe. Discuss the effects of the Cold War, industrialization, economics, and territorial shifts in creating the new concept of a “global village” mentality. Which was a better/worse era to live in, and why? How was life different than before?

4. “The Revolution will not be televised,” said Gill Scott-Heron; and yet in 1989, albeit differently than he intended, it was with the fall of the Berlin wall. Why does this symbolism resonate as the great epic event of the 20^th century, and yet is so very far away from what he intended? Explore the nature of decolonization, revolution from below, and the political enfranchisement of the masses in the second half of the 20^th century as expressions of political liberation.

5. The nature of Holocaust in the 20^th century took a different form of casualty of warfare than at any time previously in history. Explore the genocides of the 20th century as a byproduct of a “revolutionary” mindset, and delineate the political, social and cultural effects. (you may wish to explore comparatively among Armenian, Ukrainian, Jewish, and Balkan genocides).