Greg Hall

Illinois History

Writing Assignment and Discussion Questions

During the discussion period of the class sessions, I may ask questions that are not drawn from this list.  Therefore, please read enough of the weekly assignment to be able to identify major themes, events, and issues, because they may be the subject of your small group discussion. 

11/13

Biles, Richard J. Daley, chapters 6-11

1) Evaluate how Daley handled MLK Jr. and how MLK Jr. handled Daley.  Did anything improve for African Americans?  Explain.

2) Evaluate how Daley handled the fallout of King’s assassination and the National Democratic Convention.

3) Identify and explain the major theme or themes in chapter 8: “Daley on Trial.”  Be specific.

4) Assess how effective Daley was in handling the scandals of the early to mid 1970s and assess how he managed the city during this time period.

5) Identify and explain the major themes in Chapter 11: “The Battle for Chicago.”  Be specific.

11/1

1) Explain how Daley became mayor of Chicago.

2) Evaluate Daley’s first term as mayor.

3) Evaluate Daley’s relationship with the state Democratic Party.

4) Evaluate Daley’s handling of the African American population in Chicago (pre-MLK’s intervention).

10/25 

1) Explain how Adlai Stevenson handled the mine explosion at the New Orient mine. 

2) Explain how John L. Lewis handled the mine explosion at the New Orient mine.

3) Assess the abilities of families in their efforts to deal with the disaster.

4) Explain the cause of the mine explosion.

10/18

1) Explain how coal mining came to Centralia, Illinois.

2) What were the safety problems at the Centralia mine and why was it so difficult for them to be adequately addressed?

3) Assess the economic and social consequences of the Centralia mine disaster.

4) Explain what the authors mean by “The Reality of Coal Politics.”

10/11

Cronon, Nature’s Metropolis, chapter 7:

1) Explain Cyrus McCormick’s success.

2) Compare and contrast the prerailroad merchant’s world with the postrailroad merchant’s world.

3) Explain Montgomery Ward and Company’s success.

Hartley and Kenney, Death Underground, introduction:

4) Explain the development of coal mining in Illinois.

5) Evaluate the development of organized labor in Illinois coal mining.

9/27

Cronon, Nature’s Metropolis, prologue – chapter 2

1.  Compare and contrast Hamlin Garland’s and Robert Herrick’s views on Chicago.

2. Explain “center place theory” and how it relates to Chicago.

3. What is “second nature” and how does it relate to Chicago?

4. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a railroad system according to Cronon.

9/20

Farragher, Sugar Creek, chapters 13-conclusion.

1) Explain and assess the educational system in Sugar Creek.

2) Assess the religious and spiritual life of Sugar Creek frontier settlers.

3) Explain how class differences were exhibited in Sugar Creek, particularly in terms of economic opportunity and politics.

4) Explain how the end of the frontier period impacted Sugar Creek

9/13

Farragher, Sugar Creek, Chapters 5-12

1)      Explain the social and cultural values of early pioneer settlers of Sugar Creek.

2)      Explain the process by which Sugar Creek was settled.

3)      Assess male and female relationships among the pioneer settlers of frontier Illinois.

4)      Was frontier Sugar Creek capitalist and commercial or was it pre-capitalist and subsistence?

9/6

Farragher, Sugar Creek, Chapters 1-4

1)      Explain the major themes in chapter 1

2)      Explain the major themes in chapter 2

3)      Explain the major themes in chapter 3

4)      Explain the major themes in chapter 4