Questions &

Paragraphs on Alternative Visions of the 19th
Century
(class 20)

Notes:

1) This assignment, like ALL assignments in this class, must be typed. See handout on class expectations

2) You MUST use blackboard's digital dropbox (details here) to submit this homework; if you do not use microsoft word, be sure to follow these directions

3 ) BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE FILE-NAMING CONVENTIONS FOR THIS COURSE.

All files should be saved on your computer as: your last name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the first two letters of your first name, followed by an underscore ("_"), followed by the assignment number. So if a student named Saddam Hussein were to submit assignment number 20, the file name would be:

hussein_sa_20.doc

THIS IS ASSIGNMENT 20


I will grade only two of the three questions below and I will choose the questions I grade at random. Any question, however, that you do NOT answer will immediately become one of the questions I grade.

 

This homework is due at the start of class and can NOT be turned in late
This homework can NOT be revised
This homework is worth 2.10% of you final semester grade, or 210 Fritz Points

BRING "EMPIRE" TRANSCRIPT TO CLASS ON 4/27; STUDENTS WHO DO NOT RISK LOSING CLASS PARTICIPATION POINTS!



1 ) The textbook authors argue that despite their geographic and cultural differences, the Ghost Dance among Native Americans, the Fulani in what is now Senegal & Nigeria, and the Taiping Rebellion in China were all remarkably similar -- in part because they all responded to an emerging nineteenth-century order based on laissez-faire capitalism, industrialization, and the nation state. The textbook authors further argue that in responding to such challenges, the various revolts "steeped themselves in their own...traditions, regarding their local communities as a source of political and cultural legitimacy...Paradoxically, these movements [also] authorized new social and political arrangements."

Three things to note here. (1) The authors use the word "paradoxically" because these revolts blended older traditions with new political and social visions and often justified such new visions by referring back to older traditions. (2) By "authorized" the textbook means here that the revolts advocated or attempted to make legitimate new political and social arrangements. (3) By "steeped" the textbook means here that movements infused or engrossed themselves in what they perceived as their traditions -- in the same way that one lets tea steep in a pot..

In a paragraph describe how the Ghost Dance, the Fulani, and the Taiping Rebellion in China "steeped themselves in their own...traditions, regarding their local communities as a source of political and cultural legitimacy" while also advocating "new social and political arrangements." Support your arguments with examples from the text.

One way to organize your paragraph might be:

The ghost Dance, the Fulani, and the Taiping Rebellion all steeped themselves in their own traditions, regarding their local communities as a source of political and cultural legitimacy while also advocating new social and political arrangements. For instance, (Example of "steeping" from the Ghost Dance, Example of "advocating" from the Ghost Dance). [[repeat for Fulani and Taiping]]

Be sure that it's clear how your examples of "steeping" and "advocating" work as examples. If it's not clear you won't get credit for your response.

 

2) The textbook on p. 240 argues that the popular uprisings described in the chapter "challenged an emerging nineteenth-century order based [in part]. . .on laissez-faire capitalism." Read the "Azamgarb Proclamation" on p. 267 of the textbook; then, answer the two questions (2A, 2B) below. BE SURE TO DO BOTH 2A AND 2B.

2A) How much of the Azamgarb Proclamation is about religious matters?; how much of it is secular (that is, not concerned with religious matters)?

2B) In a paragraph organized around the familiar claim/evidence/warrant structure, explain how the Azamgarb Proclamation demonstrates that the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (also known as the Sepoy Revolt) was partially a response by Indians to the intrusion of laissez-faire capitalism by a now-industrialized Britain.

Hints on Question 2B


A) Be specific in explaining the process by which laissez-faire capitalism damaged the Indian economy. Clearly explain what particular aspects of laissez-faire capitalism would -- according to the revolt's leaders -- hurt Indian economic interests and why.

B) To get credit for this question, it won't be enough merely to argue that laissez-faire capitalism "hurt" the Indian economy; you will have to explain which specific aspects of laissez-faire capitalism produced what type of damage for which reasons. See sample paragraph below.

C) Obviously, to answer this question you will have to have a firm grasp on the meaning of "laissez-faire capitalism". The R. Marks reading and the accompanying homework (question #7) specifically address industrialized Britain's imposition of laissez-faire capitalism on India -- so be sure to refer to those when you answer this question. Moreover, the economic principle #1 from that homework will also be useful.


IF YOU DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE CONCEPTS BEHIND QUESTION #7 FROM THE HOMEWORK THAT ACCOMPANIED THE R. MARKS READING ON INDUSTRIALIZATION IT IS VERY UNLIKELY YOU WILL GET THIS QUESTION RIGHT.

D) Be sure to use a direct quotation of no more than 8 words from the document to support your claim. If you are having trouble reducing your quotation to 8 or fewer words, see here.

E) Be sure to identify your claim/ev/wa structures.

If you are having trouble getting started, the model paragraph below might be useful.

 

(cl) The Indian Rebellion of 1857 emerged in part from Indian resistance to the consequences of the laissez-faire capitalism the British had imposed on them, because ____(aspect X of laissez-faire capitalism)___produced ____(consequence Y in India)________ for ___(reason z)_____ For example, Indian anger against this consequence of laissez-faire capitalism can be seen in the Azambarb Proclamation when Bahadur Shah argues,_________________(put quotation(s) here)_________________. We can know Bahadur Shah's words reveal Indian anger at laissez-faire capitalism because ________(put warrant here where you interpret Bahdur Shah's words)________________________.

 

3) Explain in a detailed paragraph or two how in both the Yucatan and India, economic changes brought about by Europeans threatened familiar ways of life for the natives and so contributed in a similar fashion to both the Caste War in the Yucatan and the Rebellion of 1857 in India (also known as the Sepoy Revolt).

VERY USEFUL HINTS: Keep in mind the Economic Principle # 1(CORE AND PERIPHERY) from the homework that accompanied the R. Marks reading on industrialization as well as question #9 from that same homework; consider carefully the similarities between India as described on p. 264 and the new economy of the Yucatan. What were the economic changes in both places and what made them possible?

Be sure your paragraph is specific and provides examples.

Example: "The Europeans brought about economic change X which had consequence Y on native life for reason Z. In the Yucatan for example, economic change X did Y1 and in India economic change X did Y2. Both of which led to revolts for reason R."

If you don't provide a detailed explanation and specific examples, you won't receive full credit for this answer.

 

BRING "EMPIRE" TRANSCRIPT TO CLASS ON 04/27; STUDENTS WHO DO NOT WILL LOSE CLASS PARTICIPATION POINTS!