European+Modern+Era+Research

European Modern Era Research __Essential Question:__  Have the European progressed since the Age of Reason?

Books 

Ebooks
 * [[image:salemhistory.png width="232" height="33" link="@http://history.salempress.com"]] || media type="custom" key="12079723" ||  ||

Databases
 * media type="custom" key="12079703" || [[image:abc-clio_world_modern.png width="336" height="74" link="@http://worldhistory.abc-clio.com"]]media type="custom" key="12079973" || Greenwood Daily Life[[image:greenwood_daily_life.jpg link="@http://dailylife.abc-clio.com/"]] ||

Websites
Fordham World History Sourcebook

Presentation


Assignment

Background Information: During the time of the Enlightenment, otherwise known as the Age of Reason, various men and women (from the despots to the artists, writers and philosophers) promoted the idea of rationality and progress. These individuals believed it was their duty to challenge the established traditions within the realms of social systems, economic systems and government. Their hopes were to have Europeans from leaders to citizens to the peasantry create and live in a just society. This “just” society ensured material well-being, social justice, and happiness in this world.

The Issue: You have been asked to present at a conference entitled “The European Modern Era: A Time of Progress?” which will be attended by the most well known and acclaimed historians. There has been some debate at this conference as to whether the Europeans had made progress from the Age of Reason to the time period before the First World War, or 1914. Some people believe that the European not only were able to provide a just society for themselves but were also able to extend their political, social and economic progress to regions around the world. These historians are hoping to learn additional insights about the ways in which the European progressed and hope to hear about their celebratory changes. While others believe that the Europe had not achieved a just society on the continent of Europe and especially not in colonial territories around the world. These historians want to condemn the Europeans for their lack of progress and hope to learn additional information supporting their ideas that the Europeans were not able to make many great changes.

Your Task: You will conduct research within three main time periods associated to the markings of the Modern Era including: Revolutions and Nationalistic Movements, the Industrial Revolution, and Imperialism. You will then present your findings to the conference. You will either be supporting or opposing the concept of European progress based on your research. If you can prove that the Europeans were able to create a just society that the philosophers would be proud of, then you will persuasively present your findings to the historians about the progress they made. If you feel that Europeans were unable to create a just society and that the philosophers would be displeased by their actions then, you will persuasively present your findings to the historians about the lack of progress.

Your Project: The title of your presentation should reference your position about progress. It will be set up like a persuasive essay (introduction, three body “paragraphs”, and a conclusion) but will be given verbally and presented as a “Prezi.” Each “body paragraph” must be focused around one time period: Revolutions and Nationalistic Movements, the Industrial Revolution, and Imperialism. It must then be supported with __at least three__  pieces of evidence. You must vary your evidence by referencing several European nations (i.e. the “paragraph” about the Industrial Revolution should not include three examples about England, rather select one about England, Germany and perhaps France). You must also explain your evidence Each piece of evidence will be given verbally during your presentation and your sources will be cited in your Works Consulted page. Additionally, each piece of evidence must have a corresponding image on your visual presentation. As always, remember to fully explain HOW your evidence proves the point you are trying to make!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Presentation Setup__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">__Introduction:__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">__Body Paragraphs (x3):__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">__Conclusion__
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Background information (Remember your audience!)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thesis
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Three Full Arguments
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Main Idea (Topic from the list above)
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At least three pieces of visual evidence
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explanation of how your evidence relates to the essential question: progress or lack of progress
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Transition
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Re-state Thesis
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Re-state Arguments
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Closing Sentence (Remember your audience)!