SU History Department

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    Social struggles of early Rome: 753-121 B.C.E.
    (2016) Porta, Philip John; Thompson, Ray; History
    This thesis is a short history of the social struggles of the Roman nation from the beginning of the Monarchy until the times of Julius Caesar in the late Republic. Some of the topics enclosed concern with the establishment of the Republic after the Monarchy, the creation and explanation of the offices of the Republic, the process of the Conflict of the Orders, the class conflict between the patricians and the plebeians, and the creation of the Roman constitution. Other topics look at the expansion of Rome across the Mediterranean world through conquest during the Italian, Punic, Macedonian, and Seleucid Wars and how these events shaped the Roman government and social relations between the patricians and plebeians, as well as how the two classes came together during these times of crisis. The latter part of the paper deals with the rise of the Gracchi and the Roman Revolution, and how these events shaped the late Republic and allowed the rise of political figures such as Sulla, Marius, and Caesar. The conclusion finishes with the wrap up of the paper, as well as giving the reader a few small glimpses into the events after the Gracchan revolution.
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    Governor Robert Dinwiddie and his political struggle to defend colonial Virginia
    (2009) Gallagher, James R.; Perreault, Melanie; History
    Governor Robert Dinwiddie struggled against many internal and external forces to perform his duties in securing the colony's borders against the intrusions of France and her Native American allies. Dinwiddie found himself bombarded by internal distractions and obstructions from other colonial governors, members of Virginia's House of Burgesses, the colonial militia, beside those advances against Virginia in the Ohio River Valley. He was able to overcome these issues and govern the colony at a time when the entire frontier was ablaze with war. Robert Dinwiddie's efforts as colonial governor during the French and Indian War proved his capabilities as a leader of men, and it was due much to these efforts that Virginia survived this conflict in the manner that it did.
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    Dwight Eisenhower's leadership during the U-2 affair
    (2009) Malone, Gavin J.; Kotlowski, Dean; History
    Most assessments of President Eisenhower's foreign policy concentrate on the idea of deterrence as illustrated by the ''New Look" policy and the president's relationship with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Instead, this essay examines the most controversial event of his last year in office: the U-2 affair. It demonstrated the inconsistency of his detached and engaged styles of leadership. Eisenhower's approach led to a number of mistakes that cost him an opportunity to achieve his primary foreign policy goal of permanently improving America's relationship with the Soviet Union.
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    Trying men's souls: A study on what motivated eight New England soldiers to join the American Revolution
    (2012) Sparks, Wesley Tanner; Long, Creston; History
    In this comparative social history of the American Revolution, the stories of eight men are recounted through the use of their biographies, journals, and memoirs. The lives of four enlisted soldiers and four officers are depicted to gain an understanding of how they became involved in the revolution. In order to do so, their early lives are scrutinized, as well as their post-war lives as they transitioned to peacetime. The main purpose, however, is to examine how each man became motivated to join the war for independence, whether socially, economically, and/or politically. As each man had different aspirations for their expectations before and after the war, one thing is certain: the enlisted soldiers were motivated for different reasons compared to the officers. By examining their early lives, as well as post-war lives, one can gain a better understanding of whether their motivations came to fruition, in the end. The intention is not to disprove their patriotism or zeal for joining the war, but instead to prove there were other motivational factors that contributed to their decision. Their patriotism is undeniable, which was a crucial reason why they were able to win the war after eight long years. Even though they experienced deprivation for eight years, due to the lack of resources, the spirit of the men could not be deterred. Despite harrowing circumstances, the revolutionary soldiers were able to prevail over a superior enemy. With that, their motivations and expectations must be examined to shed light on how these men were able to win the war.
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    Five hundred years on five thousand acres: Human attitudes and land-use at Nassawango Creek
    (2004) Quesada-Embid, Mercedes; Lewis, Michael; History
    This study describes the environmental transformations that occurred on Nassawango Creek from 1500-2000 as it went from a Native American reservation to an industrial hinterland, and presently, to a preservation site. The purpose of this research is to compile, relate, and analyze the fragmented and turbulent history of Nassawango as it was altered by and reflects each respective stage. Humans were the driving force in determining the dramatic shifts in the ways in which the land was used. Understanding the relationship between the human perception of nature and the resulting land-use, allows for a more comprehensive appreciation of Nassawango as a historical place. Expanding the knowledge of the history of this landscape also makes the continued goal of historical, cultural and ecological preservation all the more significant.