HIS 281 - Final take-home test
Part I (50 points) - According to historian William L. O'Neill, colonial Virginia was "a society where many were poor and few rich, with no towns to speak of, no real educational system ..., no printing presses or book shops, striving to emulate the English gentry, based on human slavery and ridden with guilt because of it, yet [it] managed to produce not only a Jefferson, which would have been enough, but a Washington, a Madison, and a Monroe - to name only the most famous members of an oligarchy fabulously rich in talent .... Virginia was [a] social dung heap [which raised] brilliant flowers."
Do you agree or disagree with this apparently paradoxical statement? If you disagree, why? If you agree, how do you explain the apparent paradox?
Part II (25 points) - Answer one of the following essay questions:
1. Describe a typical day in the life of William Byrd II of Westover. Do his activities recommend Byrd as a representative of 18th century Virginians at their best, worst, neither, or both?
2. Describe a typical election in 18th century colonial Virginia. Consider the office at stake, the style of campaigning, the balloting process, and the background and likely performance of successful candidates.
3. Create a believable 18th century Virginia woman. Identify her by class, then describe her prospects for and means of education and matrimony, and some of the activities that filled her day.
Part III (25 points) - Answer one of the following essay questions:
1. Why was 18th century Virginia one of the first political entities in the western world to establish an official policy of religious toleration?
2. Describe the sacrifices patriotic Virginians were required to make during the war for independence. Who should be blamed for these hardships?
3. Compare and/or contrast the attitudes and actions of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington toward slavery. Which man's views and actions contributed more to moderating the evils of the institution in Virginia?