Theme: Change and Chronology Generalization

CHANGE OVER TIME ESSAY topics

Once finished with this exercise, students can write a Change Over Time essay covering one of the themes studied above. I would recommend that because American history becomes part of and influential on world history after its visitation by Columbus and its settlement by the Europeans that your essays confine themselves to three chronological periods: (1) Early Modern 1450 – 1750; (2) Modern 1750 – 1914; and the Contemporary since 1914. Use the Change over Time essay grid to structure your composition.

1. 
   Trace changes over time in the patterns of American trade and commerce since 1450.
   

2. 
   Trace changes over time in American military traditions and policies since 1450.
   

3. 
   Trace changes over time in American diplomacy and participation in international affairs since 1450.
   

4. 
   Trace American participation in international organizations and conventions since 1750 (note: formal international organizations generally originated in the 19^th century).
   

5. 
   Trace the development of American political institutions (ideologies, courts, laws, policies, parties, interest groups, and concepts of states and the nation) since 1450.
   

6. 
   Trace changes over time in demographic patterns of settlement and the demographic impact on the environment in the United States since 1450.
   

7. 
   Trace the technological and scientific impacts on American society since 1450.
   

8. 
   Trace the development of American religious institutions and traditions since 1450.
   

9. 
   Trace intellectual (artistic, literary, and intellectual) developments in the United States since 1450.
   

10. 
    Trace developments in American gender structures since 1450.
    

11. 
    Trace developments in American social structures since 1450.
    

12. 
    Trace developments in the treatment and status of minorities (African-Americans, Amerindians, Hispanics, and recent immigrants) in the United States since 1450.
    

1. 
   Compare and contrast the pre-historic/pre-Columbian period in the United States with the Neolithic periods in Southwest Asia, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
   

2. 
   Compare and contrast the 17^th and 18^th century participation of the American colonies in the world economic system with Latin America and South Asia.
   

3. 
   Compare and contrast slavery and its abolition in the 19^th century in the United States with one of these: Caribbean and Latin American slavery or Russian serfdom.
   

4. 
   Compare and contrast the industrial development of the United States with one other region in the world between 1750 and 1914.
   

5. 
   Compare and contrast the political development of the United States with the developments in Russia or Japan from 1850 – 1914.
   

6. 
   Compare and contrast the settlement of the United States including the Westward movement with one of these: the Bantu migrations, the migrations of the Germanic peoples; or the spread of the Indo-Europeans and Indo-Aryans.
   

7. 
   Compare and contrast the rise of the American empire and American imperialism in the 19^th century with West European or Russian imperialism.
   

8. 
   Compare and contrast the American involvement in Latin American 1850 – present with the British in India or the French in Africa.
   

9. 
   Compare and contrast the American 19^th and 20^th century diplomatic, religious, military and economic involvement in East Asia (China and Japan) with the European powers.
   

10. 
    Compare and contrast the American Revolution and War of Independence with the one of these other revolutions: (1) Mexico, 1910; (2) China, 1911; (3) Vietnam, 1940s; (4) Cuba, 1958; or (5) Iran, 1979. I would suggest comparing the US to Vietnam 1940 – 1975.
    

11. 
    Compare and contrast gender issues in the United States between 1914 and present with one of these regions: (1) Latin America; (2) Sub-Saharan Africa; or (3) East Asia
    

12. 
    Compare and contrast 20^th century social inequalities and equality movements in the United States with the Indian Independence Movement or the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa.