1. Was Manifest Destiny an Attempt at Benevolent Or Imperialism .On Others? (On Board)

Essay Prompts: 1. Was manifest destiny an attempt at benevolent …..or imperialism….on others? (on board) 2. By the 1850’s the Constitution, originally framed as an instrument of national unity, had become a source of sectional discord and tension and ultimately contributed to the failure of the union it had created. Asses the validity of this statement using your knowledge of 1850-1861. (as a review) 3. Following Reconstruction, many southern leaders promoted the idea of a “New South.” To what extent was this “New South” a reality in regards to economic development, politics, and race relations. 4. Explain why and how the role of the federal government changed as a result of the Civil War with respect to race relations, economic development, and westward expansion during the period 1861-1877. 5. Discuss the political, economic, and social reforms introduced in the South between 1864 and 1877. To what extent did these reforms survive the Compromise of 1877. 6. How do you account for the failure of Reconstruction (1865-1877) to bring social and economic equality of opportunity to the former slaves? 7. See discussion question # 1. This could be rephrased into an FRQ essay prompt.

Discussion: 1. Sherman’s March to the Sea: Barbaric or Military Necessity? 2. Did slavery still exist in the South following the Civil War? 3. Why did the North win the war? 4. Was Andrew Johnson wrongly impeached? 5. How would Reconstruction have been different if Lincoln had not been assassinated?