- 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 exploration and expansion of the American West
B) The development of American industry
C) The rise and fall of the Roman Empire
D) The history of European monarchies
- 2. Which European power does DeVoto identify as the main competitor to American expansion in the West?
A) Spain
B) England
C) Russia
D) France
- 3. What was the primary goal of the Lewis and Clark expedition as discussed in the book?
A) To conquer Native American tribes
B) To establish permanent settlements
C) To find a water route to the Pacific Ocean
D) To search for gold
- 4. Which U.S. president features prominently in DeVoto's narrative of western expansion?
A) Thomas Jefferson
B) James Madison
C) Andrew Jackson
D) George Washington
- 5. What major geographical feature marked the western boundary of the United States before the Louisiana Purchase?
A) The Missouri River
B) The Appalachian Mountains
C) The Rocky Mountains
D) The Mississippi River
- 6. Which European explorer's earlier journeys provided crucial information for American expansion?
A) Ferdinand Magellan
B) James Cook
C) Alexander Mackenzie
D) Christopher Columbus
- 7. What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase in DeVoto's narrative?
A) It established trade with China
B) It created the Oregon Territory
C) It ended the War of 1812
D) It doubled the size of the United States
- 8. How does DeVoto characterize the relationship between American expansion and Native Americans?
A) As inevitably destructive to Native cultures
B) As mutually beneficial
C) As religious conversion efforts
D) As peaceful coexistence
- 9. Which mountain range presented the greatest obstacle to westward expansion?
A) The Cascade Range
B) The Rocky Mountains
C) The Appalachian Mountains
D) The Sierra Nevada
- 10. What was the main economic motivation for western expansion discussed in the book?
A) Industrial manufacturing
B) Fur trade and land acquisition
C) Fishing rights
D) Slave trade
- 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 create a military fort
B) To establish a fur trading post
C) To serve as a gold mining town
D) To found a religious community
- 13. What geographical concept was central to American expansionist thinking?
A) Isolationism
B) Monroe Doctrine
C) Frontier Thesis
D) Manifest Destiny
- 14. Which river system was most important for early western exploration?
A) The Columbia River system
B) The Colorado River system
C) The Rio Grande system
D) The Missouri River system
- 15. How does DeVoto view the overall success of American expansion?
A) As a failed experiment
B) As a series of accidents
C) As a military conquest
D) As an inevitable historical process
- 16. Which famous French explorer features prominently in the book?
A) Cartier
B) La Salle
C) Marquette
D) Champlain
- 17. What year was 'The Course of Empire' published?
A) 1960
B) 1945
C) 1938
D) 1952
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