usa history final exam essay outlines

Christopher Columbus Essay

I. Introduction Brief background on European exploration in the 15th century. Introduce Columbus as an ambitious mariner seeking a westward route to Asia. Thesis: Columbus’s early experiences, personal ambitions, and failed attempts at gaining support led to his partnership with Spain, where he secured funding, titles, and authority in exchange for promised wealth and expansion.

II. Early Life and Experiences Born in Genoa; exposure to Mediterranean trade and sailing. Work as a sailor and mapmaker gave him knowledge of navigation and geography. Encounters with Portuguese sailors influenced his belief in westward exploration.

III. Forming His Plan Wanted to reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic. Based plan on underestimated size of Earth and exaggerated belief in the size of Asia. Framed plan as a way to gain spices, gold, and trade advantages.

IV. Attempts to Gain Support First approached Portugal; rejected due to unrealistic calculations. Appeals to other European courts (England, France) with no success. Persistence showed his intense ambition and confidence.

V. Spain’s Agreement with Columbus Spain recently united under Ferdinand and Isabella and wanted overseas expansion. Columbus promised wealth, Catholic converts, and a competitive edge over Portugal. In return, Spain granted: Funding for ships and crew Title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea Governorship of lands discovered A share of profits (10%)

VI. Columbus’s Motivations Desire for wealth and noble status. Deep religious motivation: believed exploration was divinely inspired. Ambition to make his name famous in history.

VII. Conclusion His experiences, persistence, and grand ambitions led to Spain’s support. Columbus’s partnership with Spain reshaped world history.

Revolutionary War Essay

Introduction Context: Growing tensions between England and the colonies. Thesis: A series of political, economic, and violent events—along with the first battle at Lexington and Concord—pushed the colonies into a war that ended in independence.

II. Background Causes Britain’s debt from the French and Indian War created new taxes. Colonists angry about being taxed without representation.

III. Trigger Events Stamp Act (1765): Tax on printed materials; strong colonial resistance. Townshend Acts (1767): Taxes on goods led to boycotts and protests. Boston Massacre (1770): Five colonists killed; increased tension. Boston Tea Party (1773): Protest of Tea Act; destruction of tea. Intolerable Acts (1774): British punishment, closing Boston’s port.

IV. The Event That Started the War Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 1775): British troops attempted to seize colonial weapons; first shots fired (“shot heard ’round the world”). Colonists realized peaceful solutions were over.

V. Factors That Kept the Colonies in the Fight Common desire for independence and self-government. British military pressure and occupation of cities. Support from foreign allies, especially France. Strength of colonial leadership (Washington and the Continental Congress).

VI. Outcome of the Revolution 1781 victory at Yorktown forced British surrender. Treaty of Paris (1783) recognized U.S. as an independent nation. Shift from colony to democratic republic.

VII. Conclusion Multiple tensions pushed the colonies into conflict, beginning at Lexington and Concord. The war resulted in a new, independent nation.

Dred Scott Essay

I. Introduction Background on slavery and legal inequality in 1800s America. Thesis: Dred Scott faced physical hardship, legal barriers, and racial discrimination as he fought to achieve freedom through the court system, challenging both his owners and the deeply racist laws of the era.

II. Early Life and Challenges Born into slavery in Virginia or Missouri. Lived under the control of owners with no legal rights. Moved between free and slave territories, increasing confusion over his status.

III. His Ultimate Goal Wanted permanent freedom for himself and his family. Believed time spent in free territory should make him legally free.

IV. How He Faced His Challenges Filed a lawsuit for freedom in 1846. Relied on previous legal precedents such as “once free, always free.” Persisted through years of appeals despite setbacks.

V. Who He Fought Against Fought his owner’s widow, who refused to recognize his freedom. Ultimately faced the U.S. Supreme Court and Chief Justice Roger Taney.

VI. Why He Fought Believed he deserved the freedom he experienced in free states. Wanted protection and stability for his wife and daughters. His case symbolized the struggle against unjust laws upholding slavery.

VII. Challenges from the Decision Supreme Court ruled African Americans were not citizens. Decision denied him freedom and worsened national tensions.

VIII. Conclusion Dred Scott’s courage highlighted the injustices of slavery. His fight became a catalyst that pushed the nation toward the Civil War.

Civil War Essay

I. Introduction The Civil War (1861–1865) was the deadliest conflict in U.S. history. Thesis: The war began due to deep divisions over slavery, states’ rights, and political power, with both sides risking massive losses in the hope of preserving their way of life.

II. Long-Term Causes Economic differences between North (industrial) and South (agricultural/slavery). Growing moral debate over slavery. Political conflicts over new territories (Missouri Compromise, Kansas-Nebraska Act).

III. Immediate Causes Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860) without Southern support. Southern fear that slavery would be restricted or abolished. Secession of Southern states forming the Confederacy.

IV. Why the War Took Place North fought to preserve the Union. South fought to maintain independence and their slave-based economy. Clash between federal authority and states’ rights.

V. What Each Side Stood to Gain Union: preservation of the United States as one nation; eventual end of slavery. Confederacy: independence and protection of its social/economic system.

VI. What Each Side Stood to Lose Union: the breakup of the nation. Confederacy: loss of slavery, economic destruction, and political power.

VII. Expected Outcome vs. Actual Outcome Expected: short conflict over political authority. Actual: long, devastating war ending with: Union victory Emancipation and the 13th Amendment Major destruction in the South Beginning of Reconstruction

VIII. Conclusion The Civil War was fought over deep moral and political issues. Its outcome permanently transformed the United States.