- 1. The Course of Empire by Bernard A. DeVoto is an insightful historical narrative that examines the historical evolution of American expansionism and its influence on the national character and policy. DeVoto, a prominent historian and a keen observer of the American west, delves into the complexities of the American frontier experience and its profound impact on the nation's identity. Through a detailed analysis of the interplay between natural resources, the environment, and human ambition, DeVoto illustrates how the course of American empire was shaped not only by the pursuit of manifest destiny but also by the consequences that this relentless expansion imposed on both the land and indigenous peoples. The book is a critical reflection on the American psyche, detailing how the myths of progress and the lure of the frontier have consistently driven the nation forward, often at a significant moral and ecological cost. DeVoto's eloquent prose and thoughtful arguments invite readers to reconsider the legacy of American expansion and the lessons it holds for contemporary society as it grapples with similar issues of growth and sustainability.
What is the central subject of Bernard DeVoto's 'The Course of Empire'?
A) The development of American industry
B) The rise and fall of the Roman Empire
C) The exploration and expansion of the American West
D) The history of European monarchies
- 2. Which European power does DeVoto identify as the main competitor to American expansion in the West?
A) England
B) Spain
C) France
D) Russia
- 3. What was the primary goal of the Lewis and Clark expedition as discussed in the book?
A) To search for gold
B) To establish permanent settlements
C) To conquer Native American tribes
D) To find a water route to the Pacific Ocean
- 4. Which U.S. president features prominently in DeVoto's narrative of western expansion?
A) Andrew Jackson
B) James Madison
C) Thomas Jefferson
D) George Washington
- 5. What major geographical feature marked the western boundary of the United States before the Louisiana Purchase?
A) The Mississippi River
B) The Appalachian Mountains
C) The Rocky Mountains
D) The Missouri River
- 6. Which European explorer's earlier journeys provided crucial information for American expansion?
A) Alexander Mackenzie
B) Ferdinand Magellan
C) James Cook
D) Christopher Columbus
- 7. What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase in DeVoto's narrative?
A) It established trade with China
B) It ended the War of 1812
C) It doubled the size of the United States
D) It created the Oregon Territory
- 8. How does DeVoto characterize the relationship between American expansion and Native Americans?
A) As mutually beneficial
B) As inevitably destructive to Native cultures
C) As religious conversion efforts
D) As peaceful coexistence
- 9. Which mountain range presented the greatest obstacle to westward expansion?
A) The Rocky Mountains
B) The Appalachian Mountains
C) The Sierra Nevada
D) The Cascade Range
- 10. What was the main economic motivation for western expansion discussed in the book?
A) Fur trade and land acquisition
B) Slave trade
C) Industrial manufacturing
D) Fishing rights
- 11. How does DeVoto portray the role of technology in western expansion?
A) As largely irrelevant
B) As focused on agriculture
C) As primarily military
D) As crucial for exploration and mapping
- 12. What was the primary purpose of the Astoria settlement?
A) To serve as a gold mining town
B) To found a religious community
C) To establish a fur trading post
D) To create a military fort
- 13. What geographical concept was central to American expansionist thinking?
A) Isolationism
B) Monroe Doctrine
C) Manifest Destiny
D) Frontier Thesis
- 14. Which river system was most important for early western exploration?
A) The Missouri River system
B) The Colorado River system
C) The Rio Grande system
D) The Columbia River system
- 15. How does DeVoto view the overall success of American expansion?
A) As a military conquest
B) As an inevitable historical process
C) As a failed experiment
D) As a series of accidents
- 16. Which famous French explorer features prominently in the book?
A) Champlain
B) Marquette
C) La Salle
D) Cartier
- 17. What year was 'The Course of Empire' published?
A) 1952
B) 1945
C) 1938
D) 1960
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