HIST 272 Final, Fall 2005

Dr. David Koistinen Name __________________ History 272. Economic History of the United States Fall 2005 Final Exam Sheet 1 Section A. On the lines below, list the events noted here in the order (earliest to latest) in which they occurred. Feel free to shorten the events, as long as the meaning is clear (e.g., Be sure to write your name above. (20% of exam grade) General Motors is unionized The Erie canal opens The Federal Reserve System is created Theodore Roosevelt becomes U.S. president. Swift revolutionizes the meatpacking industry DuPont introduces a multi-divisional corporate structure Samuel Slater brings English technology to the United States. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act passes _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Dr. David Koistinen Name __________________ History 272. Economic History of the United States Fall 2005 Final Exam Sheet 2 Section B. Identify and explain the significance of TWO (2) of the following terms. A medium-length paragraph should be fully sufficient in all cases. Going into lengthy detail on this part of the exam will not earn you extra points. (20% of exam grade) 1. Assembly line 2. New Deal regulation of the financial system 3. Import competition in core U.S. industries 4. The public image of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (the most famous member of the family) 5. Industrial research and development laboratories Section C. Write an essay on ONE (1) of the following topics. Make sure that your essay takes a clear position. Be sure that the essay you write answers the question that was asked. Cite detailed, specific evidence from the readings and class sessions to support the general assertions you make. This is the section of the exam where going into detail will be rewarded. (60% of exam grade) 6. How and why did technological change take place in the business sector during the period covered by the course? Did the reasons for technological change themselves change over time? Did the way in which technology changed alter over time? Or did the reasons for and means of technology change stay pretty much constant as time progressed? 7. It is often asserted that through marketing strategies and advertising, capitalists have altered the behavior of the American population in particular by leading people to consume more than they otherwise would (and arguably more than they should). It could on the other hand be claimed that U.S. residents have forced capitalists to change their ues where residents were unhappy with the status quo, particularly through new government regulation. Write an essay setting out to what extent, since the 19th century, capitalists have altered citizen behavior and citizens have altered capitalist behavior. 8. In the nineteenth century, and again in the twentieth century, American firms, especially in the manufacturing sector, went through important changes in structure and management practice. In your view, were the changes more dramatic in the nineteenth century or the twentieth century? Which changes had a more significant impact on the economy? Start your discussion as far back in the nineteenth century as seems appropriate.