Alternative Visions of the Nineteenth Century
After you read the assigned section, you need to answer the following questions
for that section in note form. You also need to come up with one significant
question of your own and answer it. Be prepared for a homework check or a
possible reading quiz each day.
Assignment 1 pages 239-241 Overview
1. Given what we have studied about industrialization and imperialism,
how did these factors lead to new “alternative visions” in the 19th century?
Where did these “alternative visions” take place?
2. What was the larger goal of the leaders of the alternative visions?
Did they all approach this goal in the same way?
Assignment 2 pages 241-245 Islamic Africa
1. “The new generation of Islamic reformers conceived of the state as
the primary instrument of God’s will and as the vehicle for purifying
Islamic culture” (242). How does this contradict previous Islamic ideas
and connect to Muslim radicals today?
2. Were Wahhabism and Dan Fodio’s movements successful in revitalizing
Islam in the Middle East and Africa? Why or why not?
Assignment 3 pages 246-250 Taiping Rebellion in China
1. What inspired Hong Xiuquan, and what was he trying to accomplish?
2. Why was Hong Xiuquan’s message appealing to the Chinese, especially
the poor?
Assignment 4 pages 261-263 Yucatan Caste War
1. How were the Mayans initially able to maintain their independence from Spain?
2. What were the causes and results of the Yucatan Caste War?
Assignment 5 pages 263-269 Sepoy Rebellion in India
1. What factors led to the Sepoy Rebellion?
2. How did the British East India Company respond to the Sepoy Rebellion?
Why did they take this approach?
Making Connections Research Paper Assignment
You will choose at random to focus on one of the topics listed below:
o General Alternative Visions
o Wahhabism
o Taiping Rebellion
o Yucatan Caste War
o Sepoy Rebellion
Much like the making connections assignments, you
will find two contemporary articles (within the past 3 years) that discuss
the present day impact of your chosen topic.
You will summarize the articles in the first half of the essay, and then analyze how the contemporary situation is related to the history we have discussed in class.
Examples:
o Alternative Visions- People who choose not to support capitalism
o Wahhabism- A religious justification used for terrorism
o Taiping Rebellion- Poverty in China
o Yucatan Caste War- Maya cultural pride
o Sepoy Rebellion- Christianity in India
You must include at least two outside sources (not an encyclopedia entry).
The sources must be cited with footnotes, and you must include a work-cited
page.
Your paper should be 2-3 pages. 80 Points Total