The Questions

Choose ONE of the following:

• Using The Last Days of Hitler, describe and explain how Hitler and his subordinates exercised power. How did

these divisions of power contribute to the end of the Nazi State (the Third Reich)? You might consider

Trevor-Roper’s arguments about Hitler’s “court,” his general comments regarding power in the book’s

epilogue, and the disintegration of power at the war’s end.

• How did the availability (or scarcity) of resources impact the many social groups discussed in After the Black

Death? How did access to resources impact the ability of a person to exercise power? Select two or three

social groups, and compare and contrast their access to resources and political influence.

• In 1848, when Marx and Engels published The Communist Manifesto, the effects of industrialization in Western

Europe had created political and social crises. What specific events or changes were Marx and Engels

responding to? Given the other ideologies that developed at the time, was their perspective a logical and

practical response to those events or changes? Draw specific historical examples from Cole, et al.’s Western

Civilization Chapter 20 (pgs. 475-497). (Please note: This does NOT ask you to comment on communism as

it was established in the 20th century or contemporary society. Keep your arguments historical!)