REVIEW SHEET FOR HISTORY OF WYOMING FINAL EXAM
PART I: ESSAY PORTION
You will be asked to select one of three questions and answer it in a concise, well-organized essay, basing your answer on materials from the readings as well as from the lectures.
Example 1: World War II has been referred to as a “turning point” in American history.
According to your professor, how did World War II affect the average Wyoming citizen in his/her day-to-day life? (rationing, scrap metal drives, enlistments, the draft and exemptions, war bond drives, establishment of military bases). Which of these influences were caused by national policy? Which were peculiar to Wyoming?
Example 2: According to some historians, most notably Gerald Nash, the American West was “transformed” by World War II. Based on your readings and class lectures, list the relevant characteristics descriptive of this “transformation” and explain whether or not Wyoming was similarly “transformed.” Be sure to use concrete facts and examples in your answer.
Example 3: Wyoming was the location of one of the numerous "relocation camps" during World War II. Identify the Wyoming camp, describe why it was established, how it functioned, and what eventually happened to it.
Example 4: What was the "textbook controversy" of 1947? How does the incident relate to national events happening at the time?
Example 5: National events as well as local economics impacted Wyoming during the decade of the 1960s. Identify and describe at least three issues that characterized Wyoming politics during the decade. Identify at least three Wyoming political figures during the decade, indicate their positions on the important issues you identified, and describe how each influenced Wyoming history as a result of their service during the period.
Example 6: According to Moore/Ibach, civil rights became an important issue in Wyoming during the 1950s. Describe how the State dealt with civil rights issues during the period, identifying the major players and their roles.
Example 7: The Wyoming political scene from 1954-1960 was rocked by two tragic events, the suicide of Senator Lester Hunt and the untimely death of Senator-Elect Keith Thomson. Describe what impact, if any, these events had on Wyoming politics, both at the time and over the next several decades.
Example 8: Describe the so-called “Black 14” incident. In your answer, address ALL four of the following questions:
a). Who were the major participants and what roles did they take in the controversy?
b). What were the main issues and how were they resolved?
c). What long term impact, if any, did the incident have on Wyoming history?
d). In the articles you read about the incident, why do the two authors seem to have different views on the outcome of the incident?
Example 9: The passage of the severance tax on minerals had a substantial influence over how Wyoming state government coped with the boom period of the 1970s and early 1980s. What sorts of problems did Wyoming communities face during this period? Provide at least two examples of communities that suffered from “impact” during this period and describe how each tried to alleviate the problems.
Example 10: Describe the major issues of the 1980s in Wyoming. What impact, if any, did the economy have over the events in the state during that period? With specific reference to Jeffrey City, how were some Wyoming communities affected by this “bust”? What actions, if any, did the state government take to alleviate the problems?
Example 11: List FIVE (5) of the “keywords” for the “organizing concepts” used in this class and provide a brief phrase as to what concept the keyword represents.
PART II: You will be asked to choice one of the questions relating to the readings and answer the question with a well-organized essay.
Book Question #1:
With reference to Sam Western’s book, Pushed Off the Mountain, Sold Down the River, what are the primary problems Wyomingites must address in order to “find its soul”?
Book Question: #2:
Does Wyoming deserve the nickname, “The Equality State”? With reference to the articles in Readings in Wyoming History by Redwine, Van Nuys, Bullock, Barrett, and Hallberg, how have Wyomingites reacted to various issues of ethnic diversity? Identify some of the results of these incidents.
Part III: Short Identifications
You will asked to select FOUR names/terms from a list of seven. You will write a paragraph identifying the name/term and provide additional information about the significance of the name/term to Wyoming history.
These MAY INCLUDE: Project Wagon Wheel, the severance tax, the “yellow stripes” controversy, Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Lovell’s Mexican colony, the Wyoming Public Accommodations Act, 1957. Other possibilities would include some facet of UW history (based on Monday's lecture)
Names MAY INCLUDE: Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, Lester Hunt, Keith Thomson, Milward Simpson, Lloyd Eaton, “the Black 14,” Ed Herschler, Gale McGee, Joseph C. O’Mahoney, Frank Barrett, Thyra Thomson.