Essay Topics:

1. The debate over slavery was by no means new in the nineteenth century. However, it did take on a new character and set of arguments.
   First, identify and discuss at least two reasons that anti-slavery supporters gave to abolish slavery during the nineteenth century and why. (Please provide specific examples rather than vague, quasi-philosophical reasons and remember that these should be contemporary nineteenth century views NOT yours.)
   Second, identify and discuss at least two reasons that pro-slavery supporters gave to preserve their "peculiar institution" and why. (Please provide specific examples rather than vague, quasi-philosophical reasons and remember that these should be contemporary nineteenth century views NOT yours.)
   Third, discuss how the decision-making authority over the slavery issue changed from the early nineteenth century to the 1850s, citing at least two specific examples for these changes and explaining why/how it changed that authority. This could include specific legislation, court cases, ideology, etcetera.
   Finally, in your opinion, what was the single most important factor in the nineteenth century that led to the outbreak of hostilities between North and South in 1861 and why?
   
   
2. Evaluate the American Presidents from 1840 to 1865 by choosing three different US presidents from this period.
   First, identify each president (full name required), his political party, and when/how he came into office--include discussion of pertinent elections or events surrounding his entering the presidency and specific years.
   Second, explain what each president's goals/plans were as president and discuss at least two examples of how he implemented his goals/plans, whether or not it was successful, and why/why not.
   Third, for each president, discuss at least one of his major challenges/problems during his tenure as president and what he did/how he addressed the issue/problem Was he successful or not and why?
   Finally, of your three choices, select the president you feel had the most impact, politically, on the direction of the US presidency, and why. (This means the nature of the office of the president or perceptions of the presidency NOT the US politically as a whole)
   
   
3. The Civil War in the United States dominates the modern memory of nineteenth-century America. It had many important components that shaped the course of the war and eventual peace.
   First, identify and discuss the president in charge of each side in the Civil War. Who was he? What were his plans for his country? What was the initial strategy that each developed for fighting the other side?
   Second, identify and discuss two major military battles that were won by the Confederacy and their impact on the war. Explain what/where it was and how it changed the course of the war (its broader significance rather than it just being a win or loss by either side).
   Third, identify and discuss two major military battles that were won by the Union that helped turn the tide of victory back to the Union side. Explain what/where it was and how it changed the course of the war (its broader significance rather than it just being a win or loss by either side).
   Finally, in your opinion, what was the most important non-military asset used by the Union that enabled them to emerge the victor in the Civil War? (give a specific example of a change, significant event, or idea/belief, should generally be pulled from ideology, politics, or social/cultural concepts)
   
   
4. The United States entered a new era of physical expansion and complexity in the mid-nineteenth century West.
   First, identify and explain the concept of Manifest Destiny (Who said it, its main points, its meaning).
   Second, discuss two of the westward trails (frontier routes) that emerged from 1840-1860 (Be sure to include what the trail was, where it went, who was going, how they got there--the trip itself).
   Third, what were two of the specific problems faced by Americans/immigrants arriving in the western frontier. Discuss these using concrete examples (may be physical hardship, political, ideology, violence/war, etc.)
   Finally, in your opinion, how did the influx of new people into the frontier of America most alter the mood or expectations of the American culture? Be specific with your answer and give examples.
   
   
5. Consider the cultural changes that occurred in American society in the mid-nineteenth century that helped shape the identity of the American people. You can draw from many areas including: race, protest, political ideology, women's rights, labor and work, rights of citizenship, political affiliation, state vs federal authority, military service, etc.
   First, discuss two specific examples of new ideologies (beliefs) that emerged in American life in the mid-nineteenth century. These should be fundamental concepts or ideas rather than specific persons or events. Identify the term itself and its meaning, and explain how Americans were impacted by it.
   Second, discuss two specific examples of events or incidents that occurred in American life in the mid-nineteenth century that helped shape the American identity or perceptions of themselves. Be specific. Identify the event/incident and the American response to it.
   Third, discuss two specific examples of persons who acted as leaders in American life in the mid-nineteenth century. These should be people who directly affected their communities (large or small or national) in profound ways--positive or negative. Explain who the person was, his/her background, and their contribution/impact.
   Finally, in your overall opinion, what was the most significant change in the mid-nineteenth century culture that developed/impacted the American character and identity and why?