A Brief Survey of British Geography

DEFINITIONS AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
21. Distinguish "Britain," "Great Britain," "the British Isles," and "the United Kingdom."
22. How has the geographical location of Britain affected its history?
23. What are some of the effects of the Channel Tunnel on Britain?

AREA, CLIMATE, ECONOMY
24. Compare the size of the UK with other EU countries.
25. Describe some interesting and unusual physical features of the UK.
26. Mention three important and interesting rivers in Britain.
27. Briefly comment on the forested areas in Britain and include interesting historical facts.
28. Briefly describe the climate in Britain.
29. What effect does the Gulf Stream have on the climate and on fishing?
30. Give some interesting general information about farming today in the UK.
31. Describe some interesting and surprising aspects of the British economy.
32. Comment on the importance of North Sea Oil for the United Kingdom.
33. Which industries do you think will be important for what parts of Britain?

POLITICAL DIVISIONS, CITIES, POPULATION
34. How is Britain divided for electoral purposes?
35. What do you predict will be the future of the Commonwealth?
36. Describe some interesting cities in Britain. What is the most "British" city?
37. Compare the population of the UK to other European countries.
38. Where are the major population centres of the United Kingdom?
39. Trace the movement of the population during the past thirty years.
40. What languages are spoken as mother tongues in the British Isles?  

A Brief Survey of American History

EARLY AND COLONIAL PERIOD
41. Describe briefly some of the original inhabitants of what is now the USA.
42. Describe the reasons of the first European settlers for coming to the New World.
43. Mention some events leading to the thirteen original English colonies.
44. Explain some of the events that led up to the War of Independence.
45. Mention some important facts concerning the Declaration of Independence.
46. Describe briefly the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

TERRITORIAL EXPANSION
47. What was the Louisiana Purchase?
48. What were the causes and effects of the War of 1812?
49. Describe briefly the importance of the Monroe Doctrine.
50. Mention some early social reforms in political life, education, and industry.
51. Describe the impact of Andrew Jackson on American political life.

THE CIVIL WAR
52. Explain some social and economic problems that led to the Civil War. 
53. What was the Underground Railroad?
54. Name some important, interesting, and influential people of this time.
55. What were some of the results of the Dred Scott decision?
56. What problems were caused by admission of new states to the Union? 
57. Name some interesting names, places, and events associated with the war.

FROM RECONSTRUCTION TO CLOSING OF THE FRONTIER
58. What were some views on Reconstruction?
59. Who were carpetbaggers and scalawags?
60. Why did the Constitution have to be changed?
61. What were some Southern reactions to Reconstruction?
62. Who were the winners and losers at the end of Reconstruction?
63. What was the Homestead Act of 1862?
64. What event is associated with Promontory Point?
65. How did farmers cultivate the prairie in the late 19th century?
66. Describe the fate of the Plains Indians.

FROM THE GILDED AGE TO THE JAZZ AGE
67. Describe cultural, social, political, and economic aspects of the Gilded Age.
68. Mention some technological advances made during the 19th century.
69. Name some famous captains of industry and describe the rise of capitalism.
70. Name some examples for social inequality of the period.
71. Describe some reactions to the growth of industry.
72. Describe Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal.
73. Describe the separate but equal doctrine.
74. What were Jim Crow laws?
75. Describe cultural, social, political, and economic aspects of the Jazz Age.
76. Briefly describe American involvement in World War I.
77. What were Woodrow Wilson's plans for peace?
78. Define suffrage and explain its relevance from the 1870s through the 1920s.

CONTEMPORARY AMERICA
79. Give a brief account of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Program.
80. Briefly describe American involvement in World War II. 
81. Compare General MacArthur with Senator McCarthy.
82. Mention some social and political trends of America during the 1950s.
83. Mention some of the important names and events of the Civil Rights Movement.
84. Briefly describe the Cuban Crisis within the context of the Cold War.
85. Describe the effects of US involvement in the Vietnam War on American society.
86. What effect did Watergate have on American political life?
87. Mention some social and political trends of America during the 1980s.
88. Summarize American foreign policy under Bush and Clinton.
89. Mention some interesting trends in American culture since the 1990s.
90. What do you associate with America after the turn of the millennium?

A Brief Survey of British History

EARLY AND NORMAN PERIOD 
91. Where did the early population come from?
92. Describe the causes and effects of the Roman conquest of Britain.
93. Describe the Anglo-Saxon invasions and mention King Arthur.
94. What do you associate with Alfred the Great?
95. Describe the causes and effects of the Norman conquest. 
96. What was the Domesday Book? 

FROM THE PLANTAGENETS TO THE ROSES
97. Describe the importance of the reign of Henry II.
98. What was the Magna Carta?
99. Describe the importance of the reign of Edward I.
100. Briefly outline Scottish history under Edward I and II.
101. What were the effects of the Black Death?
102. Briefly describe the Welsh rebellion.
103. What were the effects of the Wars of the Roses?

FROM KING HENRY TO CROMWELL
104. What was the Act of Supremacy?
105. Describe the effects of the Reformation in England.
106. What role did religion play for Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I?
107. Outline culture and exploration in Elizabethan England.
108. Summarise the political and religious importance of Mary Stuart.
109. What does the Spanish Armada have to do with English history?
110. Describe the relations between England and Scotland in the 17th century.
111. What was the Ulster Plantation?
112. Describe the causes and results of the Civil War.
113. What were the effects of Cromwell on Ireland?
114. What was the Protectorate?

FROM RESTORATION TO THE HANOVERS
115. What effects did the Plague and Great Fire have on London?
116. What role did religion play in the reign of James II?
117. What was the "Glorious Revolution"?
118. Describe the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights.
119. Discuss William's effects on Irish history.
120. What was the effect of George I on English politics?
121. Briefly outline the rebellion led by Bonnie Prince Charlie.
122. Describe the developments of the Industrial Revolution.
123. Describe the importance of the Acts of Union up to 1801.
124. What was the Catholic Emancipation Act?

FROM VICTORIA TO CHURCHILL
125. Describe the beginnings of Socialism and the Labour Movement and Party.
126. Mention some of the important events in 19th century Irish history.
127. Describe Britain's foreign policy during the Disraeli era.
128. Which British leaders do you associate with the two World Wars?
129. What was the significance of India for the UK?
130. How did the Irish Free State come into being?
131. What were the principles of the Welfare State?
132. Outline some events leading to the disintegration of the British Empire.

CONTEMPORARY BRITAIN
133. Compare the situation in Ireland in the late 1960s with that of today.
134. Briefly describe the relationship of Britain and Europe since the 1970s.
135. What do decimalization and the metric system tell us about British identity?
136. Define devolution and its importance in contemporary British politics.
137. Name some features of Thatcher's government including the "Falklands Factor".
138. Outline some of the changes in the Labour Party during the last twenty years.
139. Mention some interesting trends in British culture since the 1990s.
140. What do you associate with Britain after the turn of the millennium?