Hist 102.13 midterm exam study guide spring
2022/2023 updated 100% CORRECT
GUARANTEED GRADE A+
Below are all possible essay topics for your midterm exam. Please make sure to have your essays ready
for submission on your computer by the exam day (approximately three pages double spaced per essay).
On the exam day, your instructor will choose three of them, and you will submit two of these three to
Sakai (Tests & Quizzes) as Word Documents of PDFs. You will have 75 minutes to complete your exam
in Sakai. The exam will begin in Sakai on March 1, promptly at 10:00 AM and end at 11:15 AM. Please
read your specific submission instructions in Sakai.
For your exam, be prepared to give precise answers to the questions. Avoid vague generalities that are not
backed up with specifics. Make references to relevant dates and names. Organization of the material is
important since it demonstrates your grasp of the subject.
Possible essay topics:
1. Write the history of England from the time of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) to the Glorious Revolution
(1688). How did England change politically, religiously and socially during this time period?
Make sure to identify major actors of this change as well as their contributions. Why did so many
Enlightened thinkers in continental Europe envy the post-1688 political model of England? What
made this model so unique and special, especially when one compared it with that of absolutist
monarchies in continental Europe? Do you see any connection between the political system that
emerged in England after the Glorious Revolution and that of the United States? Do you believe
that a representative political system is beneficial to society? How so?
2. France under Louis XIV was considered the best example of an absolute monarchy. Provide your
own definition of an “absolute monarchy” and reflect on the way such a political system is or is
not “absolute.” Why do you think Louis XIV embraced this particular political model? What
specific measures in administrative, economic, military, cultural, and religious policy did he
promote to enhance his absolutist power? Remember that you are being asked to be specific and
connect particular policies and practices of the king and his government to the very idea of
absolutism. What was the significance of the political model Louis XIV created for France and
for Europe? Did other European rulers copy Louis XIV or not? Why? Do you see a need for a
contemporary political system to be centered on a strong leader controlling all branches of the
government, or not? How so? Please elaborate.
3. Survey the development of astronomy during the Scientific Revolution that lasted from the mid-
16th to the late 17th Century. Compare the theories of ancient Greek astronomers and medieval
Christian scholars with those of Copernicus and his followers (be specific). What social, political,
and religious challenges did the scientists try to overcome and how successful were they in doing
so? Did the revolution in astronomy affect lives of the people in Europe? How did different social
groups react to it? Did the Scientific Revolution help European societies become more rational?
Please reflect on these questions. Do you notice any challenges to the scientific inquiry in our
contemporary society or not? Do we live in a rational world where people trust their scientists
and scholars? Elaborate.
2022/2023 updated 100% CORRECT
GUARANTEED GRADE A+
Below are all possible essay topics for your midterm exam. Please make sure to have your essays ready
for submission on your computer by the exam day (approximately three pages double spaced per essay).
On the exam day, your instructor will choose three of them, and you will submit two of these three to
Sakai (Tests & Quizzes) as Word Documents of PDFs. You will have 75 minutes to complete your exam
in Sakai. The exam will begin in Sakai on March 1, promptly at 10:00 AM and end at 11:15 AM. Please
read your specific submission instructions in Sakai.
For your exam, be prepared to give precise answers to the questions. Avoid vague generalities that are not
backed up with specifics. Make references to relevant dates and names. Organization of the material is
important since it demonstrates your grasp of the subject.
Possible essay topics:
1. Write the history of England from the time of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) to the Glorious Revolution
(1688). How did England change politically, religiously and socially during this time period?
Make sure to identify major actors of this change as well as their contributions. Why did so many
Enlightened thinkers in continental Europe envy the post-1688 political model of England? What
made this model so unique and special, especially when one compared it with that of absolutist
monarchies in continental Europe? Do you see any connection between the political system that
emerged in England after the Glorious Revolution and that of the United States? Do you believe
that a representative political system is beneficial to society? How so?
2. France under Louis XIV was considered the best example of an absolute monarchy. Provide your
own definition of an “absolute monarchy” and reflect on the way such a political system is or is
not “absolute.” Why do you think Louis XIV embraced this particular political model? What
specific measures in administrative, economic, military, cultural, and religious policy did he
promote to enhance his absolutist power? Remember that you are being asked to be specific and
connect particular policies and practices of the king and his government to the very idea of
absolutism. What was the significance of the political model Louis XIV created for France and
for Europe? Did other European rulers copy Louis XIV or not? Why? Do you see a need for a
contemporary political system to be centered on a strong leader controlling all branches of the
government, or not? How so? Please elaborate.
3. Survey the development of astronomy during the Scientific Revolution that lasted from the mid-
16th to the late 17th Century. Compare the theories of ancient Greek astronomers and medieval
Christian scholars with those of Copernicus and his followers (be specific). What social, political,
and religious challenges did the scientists try to overcome and how successful were they in doing
so? Did the revolution in astronomy affect lives of the people in Europe? How did different social
groups react to it? Did the Scientific Revolution help European societies become more rational?
Please reflect on these questions. Do you notice any challenges to the scientific inquiry in our
contemporary society or not? Do we live in a rational world where people trust their scientists
and scholars? Elaborate.
