PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!
This assignment focuses on the development of “nations and empires.” More specifically, you are comparing the processes of nation-building in Japan, Russia and Germany, which brought about the transformations of these countries into more powerful nation-states. Your analysis will be based on
An attentive reading of chapter 17 of Worlds Together, Worlds Apart.
Critical engagement with and reflection on the following primary sources
Okuma, Fifty Years of New Japan, 1907-8 https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1908okuma.asp
Prince Ukhtomskii, Russian Imperial Destiny, 1891 https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1891ukhtomskii.asp
Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Address to the German Nation, 1806 & 1807
https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1806fichte.asp
https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1807fichte1.asp
Ernst Moritz Arndt, The German Fatherland https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/arndt-vaterland.asp
As you write your essay, consider the following questions:
What was unique about the nation-building process in each of the countries in the second half of the nineteenth century? How did the elites who led these processes respond to groups who resisted their efforts?
What were each country’s motivations for expansion?
How did each country’s path toward industrialization compare? To what extent were efforts to modernize education systems part of the industrialization process?
This means that writing comparatively means juxtaposing rather than writing separately about three things. In other words, you don’t write about a, then b, and then c. Do not replicate the narrative in the textbook – you’re providing an analysis.
Submission Guidelines
Your submission should be in essay format. This means that even though I provided you with questions (above) those are meant to facilitate your engagement with the texts and crafting of your own ideas. Therefore, please do not respond in the format of answers. Your essay should have a clearly stated main argument and provide ample evidence to support it.
The length of your essay is ~1200-1300 words, double-spaced for legibility. Make sure you do not exceed the word limit but also that your submission is not too short and lacking in depth and details.
You must cite your sources using footnotes. Please refer to the slides I posted early in the semester if you’re unsure of the correct format. A citation-free essay is unacceptable.
This is your solo work. You are not allowed to collaborate with anyone or use any external website or tool. That would be considered plagiarism.
Plagiarism = zero on the assignment + reporting.
Do not quote from the texts. Remember that quotes never replace analysis and in fact weaken your writing overall.
Avoid vague and ahistorical claims (“throughout history”). Your writing should be specific, detailed and historically situated. Engage closely and directly with the readings.
Upload your assignment to Blackboard in DocX or PDF. Other formats will not be accepted. It is your responsibility your assignment was uploaded properly and on time. I will grade the contents of the file that you upload. Make sure you actually hit “submit” and not “save” (the latter will not submit your assignment and will result in an automatic zero).
There are no “automatic extensions.” A late submission will incur a 5% per day penalty.
Edit and proofread your work. Remember that you are being graded on writing style and clarity.
