Directions: Complete Parts I, II, and III below. The exam covers information from weeks 9 through 14. To be eligible for full credit on each question, be sure to cite details and use textual citations (quotes and page numbers) from the Ways of the World textbook to support your analysis.
Part I: Long Essay (4 to 5 paragraphs) – 40 points
In the opening of Chapter 12, the textbook authors write:
“This sharp debate about Columbus reminds us that the past is endlessly contested and that it continues to resonate in the present. But it also reflects a broad agreement that the voyages of Columbus marked a decisive turning point, for better or worse, in world history and represent arguably the most important event of the fifteenth century” (WOTW 498).
Write a 4-5 paragraph essay evaluating some of the ideas raised in this quote. Cite details and use textual citations (quotes and page numbers) from the Ways of the World textbook to support your analysis of the following questions:
Is “the past … endlessly contested”?
Does the past “continue to resonate in the present”?
Do you think Columbus’ voyages were “a decisive turning point for better”? AND/OR “a decisive turning point … [for] worse”?
Why might Columbus’ voyages be considered “the most important event of the fifteenth century”?
What other important event(s) might be considered among “the most important event[s] of the fifteenth century”?
Part II: Short Essay (2 to 3 paragraphs) – 30 points
Weeks 9-14 of the semester discuss various third-wave era civilizations and peoples. Of all that you have learned in the second half of the semester, what did you find most interesting? **USE PAGES 409-414 THAT I HAVE PROVIDED FROM TEXTBOOK “WOTW” TO ANSWER THIS SECTION** Which civilization or people/culture resonated with you the most? Cite details and use textual citations (quotes and page numbers) from the Ways of the World textbook to support your analysis.
Part III: Source Analysis – 30 points
Directions: Complete parts A and B below. To be eligible for full credit, cite details and use textual citations (quotes and page numbers) from the Ways of the World textbook to support your analysis.
Part A: Reread Chapter 12 – Zooming in – 1453 in Constantinople (WOTW 513/514-515) and answer questions 1-2.
Discuss the significance of the following quote in the context of the reading as well as more broadly: “But what later observers see as inevitable generally occurs only with great human effort and amid vast uncertainty about the outcome. So it was in Constantinople in 1453” (WOTW 513/514-515).
1a. What does this mean? Identify key words and/or phrases in your answer.
1b. How does this describe this moment in history?
1c. How is this idea significant in world history? today?
According to this reading, what factors contributed to Mehmed’s victory? Under what circumstances might a different outcome have been possible?
Part II: Reread Chapter 12 – Portrait of Mehmed II (WOTW 531-532) and answer questions 1-5.
According to the textbook, why was 1453 considered a “watershed moment”?
How is the characterization of Mehmed II in this reading similar and/or different from the description in the “Zooming In” reading? List a minimum of 3 details.
Why would Mehmed II have wanted his portrait painted by a Venetian artist?
Why would a Venetian artist (and the city government of Venice) have been willing to paint Mehmed II?
What does this portrait reveal about the time period in which it was created?
I HAVE PROVIDED ALL THE TEXT PAGES AND LABELED WHAT IS NEEDED TO COMPLETE. thank you 🙂
