History Commons^™

The Fifth Monarchists: Forgotten Radicals Of The English Revolution, Joshua M. Nevin

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

The Fifth Monarchists were a radical group of Puritans during the period of the English Civil War who sought to seize power in England in order to prepare for what they believed was Christ's inevitable return in the near future to reign in England. Previous research concerning them is scarce, and what scholarship there is does little to explain the importance of the events surrounding them. This study seeks to explain the historical significance of this group through exploring the goals of the group and the means by which they set out to accomplish them. An assortment of primary sources …

Copland And Communism: Mystery And Mayhem, Emilie Schulze

Musical Offerings

In the midst of the second Red Scare, Aaron Copland, an American composer, came under fire for his communist tendencies. Between the 1930s and 1950s, he joined the left-leaning populist Popular Front, composed a protest song, wrote Lincoln Portrait and Fanfare for the Common Man, traveled to South America, spoke at the Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace, and donated to communist leaning organizations such as the American-Soviet Musical Society. Due to Copland’s personal communist leanings, Eisenhower’s Inaugural Concert Committee censored a performance of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait in 1953. HUAC (The House Committee on Un-American Activities) brought Copland to …

Eisenhower: From “Do-Nothing” To “Did-Everything”, Holly F. Caldwell

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

Dwight David Eisenhower was a modest man who led a modest life. The 34^th president of the United States was a country boy who hailed from the rural town of Abilene, Kansas. He was not born into instant greatness; instead, he grew into it. He held several notable positions, culminating in the achievement of being elected to the presidency. His presidential reign was relatively calm, with few drastic disruptions, and this period of tranquility led to a public perception of Eisenhower as a “do-nothing” president.

Contrary to the traditional portrayal, historical revisionism has exhibited Eisenhower as an experienced and …

"Liberty Further Extended”: The Federalist Identity Of Lemuel Haynes, America's First Biracial Minister, David F. Guidone

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

An introduction to the life and work of Lemuel Haynes (1753-1833), a neglected figure in American History as the first biracial pastor to lead an all-white Congregation in North America. The topic of this paper addresses an understudied and essential aspect of early America, political discourse from minority voices in the colonies. I hope to demonstrate in this paper how a particular early American minority worked as a change-agent despite the presence and practice of racism and slavery. Born in West Hartford, Connecticut and raised in Granville, Massachusetts, Haynes used the Bible, his voice, his agile mind, and a relentless …

The Long Defeat – Glimpses Of Final Victory: The Years Of The Locust, Evan B. Lanning

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

An examination of Tolkien’s conception of history, the crisis of unpreparedness preceding the Second World War, and a relating of the story of Churchill’s warnings and eventual ascension to the position of Prime Minister. This study will compare the historical perspective of Tolkien, as represented in his fictional works, with the turmoil that transpired during the early days of WWII. Mostly, it will demonstrate how Tolkien’s view of history manifested itself within the context of the very perilous realities leading up to WWII. Nonetheless, a larger portrait of the nation of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, and their joint struggle to …

Before Vietnam: Understanding The Initial Stages Of Us Involvement In Southeast Asia, 1945-1949, Jacob T. Mach

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

The Vietnam War, widely considered the worst foreign policy debacle in American history, remains the most controversial event of the twentieth century. Much criticism for Vietnam involvement stems from two sources: 1) disapproval with how American leadership conducted the war, and 2) disagreement over the reason for the conflict in the first place. Few historians, if any, dispute the first criticism. The historical community remains divided, however, in terms of a definitive position on the basis or origin for the conflict. For a holistic approach to the origin of the Vietnam War, one must first elucidate the conception of American …

The Winter War: Its Causes And Effects, Ethan D. Beck

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

The Russo-Finnish War of 1939-1940, also known as the Winter War, forms a curious portion of World War II history that bears further study. Occurring during the “Phony War”—the period of calm following Hitler’s invasion of Poland—the Winter War offers a glimpse into the attitudes of the major powers as the growing necessity of the coming war becomes increasingly clear during 1939 and 1940. Specifically, the Winter War provides insight into Soviet imperialism and its concerns over German aggression, and forms a crucial portion of the German decision to invade Russia in the summer of 1941. Without consideration of the …

The English Language: How The French Normans Changed Its Trajectory Through The Onset Of The Battle Of Hastings, Hannah A. G. Wiley

History Capstone Research Papers

The English Language: How the French Normans Changed its Trajectory through the Onset of the Battle of Hastings

Abstract

This capstone discusses the convoluted connection between Denmark, England, and Normandy and identifies how this complicated shared history led to William the Conqueror’s infiltration of England, via Normandy. Subsequently, the Battle of Hastings promptly follows, ultimately ushering in a new era within Anglo-Saxon England. This pivotal event established the prevalence of the French language within the English language in a variety of capacities, especially pertaining to sub-sections within culture. These various sections within culture are related to the military, law, government, …

Causes, Effects, And Possible Solutions To Blood Feuding In Albania, Gabe Cyrus, Kelly Fischer, Jessica Stricker, Abigail O'Neel, Celeste Davis

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The goal of this presentation is to inform the audience about the causes, effects, and possible solutions of blood feuding in Albania, which has resulted in the deaths of approximately 12,100 people since 1991. Albania contains one of the few remaining cultures that is still partaking in blood feuding. Blood feuding began in the 1600s and resumed after the fall of communism in the absence of a strong governing body. The Kanun sets forth the rules of blood feuding, but they are not always followed as they were intended. Cultural values influence the course of blood feuding and make it …

Hitler, Anti-Semitism, And The Demise Of The Third Reich, Jacob T. Mach

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, is most well-known for two particular political/societal standpoints: German nationalism, and namely, anti-Semitism. Hitler served as the chairman of the Nazi party from 1921 till its questionable rise as the dominant party in pre-war Germany. He then rose to the position of Chancellor, and ultimately, the Fuhrer. Historically, the Nazi Party was known for anti-Marxism (anti-communism), anti-capitalism, anti-democracy, and anti-Semitism. Hitler’s rise to power in the Nazi Party shifted the focus, drawing the party away from many of its foundational tenants. During the Second World War, the “Final Solution” …

Distinguishing Marks: The Politics Of The First Great Awakening, Amy C. Searl

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Few people spend much time thinking about the revivals of the 1700s on the American continent. Most Christians who do probably see the evangelical movement from about 1730 through the 1740s as a clear outpouring of God’s Spirit. In the heat of the moment, though, not all were convinced that the revivals were from God. The First Great Awakening challenged the traditional theology in the colonies, pushing boundaries and forcing churches to wrestle with new issues. The revivals started in local areas, but soon spread throughout the colonies. Without a doubt, the Great Awakening permanently altered the face of religion …

Petty Passions, Nobler Actions, And Two Peculiar Institutions: Sectionalism, Partisanship, And The United States Senate, 1845-1850, Stanley G. Schwartz

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

The period from 1845-1850 was a critical moment in American history, as the question of the expansion of slavery into western territories battered the nation, turning a political system until then focused on issues of tariff and banking, to the decision of sectional and moral questions. Despite the emotion and danger of the time, the Senate, which ultimately decided the questions of slavery’s expansion, brokered the Compromise of 1850, a measure that stemmed the sectionalist fervor for a time. This was achieved only through the seasoned leadership and sacrifice of uniquely great American political leaders, overcoming complications of party and …

The Successes And Failures Of The Battle Of Mogadishu And Its Effects On U.S. Foreign Policy, Philip B. Dotson

Channels: Where Disciplines Meet

The Battle of Mogadishu, more commonly referred to as “Black Hawk Down,” was one of the most controversial conflicts in the second half of the twentieth century. It left a lingering question in people’s minds: was it a success or a failure? While certainly there were many failures and casualties throughout the mission, based on a military definition, it was a clear cut success; Task Force Ranger (TFR) accomplished the objective of the mission, despite significant losses, by retrieving the two targets assigned them. Both the failures and successes of the mission, as well as the overarching Operation Restore Hope …

An Examination Of Abraham Lincoln's Racial Views, Christian Ellis

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Despite the overwhelming amount of writings that exist on the subject of Abraham Lincoln, there seems to be no clear consensus regarding what his personal views on race were. Depending on the work, Abraham Lincoln has been painted as either a color-blind Great Emancipator or a secret white supremacist who actively worked against the emancipation movement. With the recent debate over the Confederate flag and other race-related issues, the need to clarify the teachings on Lincoln has perhaps rarely been more relevant. This study examines his own writings, his public speeches, and the recollections of those who knew him best. …

Inspiration Or Distraction: Eugene Debs At The Head Of American Socialism 1895-1921, Stanley Schwartz

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

This project seeks to provide historical context for the modern revival of avowed socialism in America through an examination of Eugene V. Debs leadership of American Socialism from 1895 to 1921. The paper argues that Debs’ leadership of American socialism was unsuccessful because he left the critical task of convincing the American people that the ideology of Socialism is correct and fundamentally different from traditionalism, capitalism, and progressivism, incomplete. Reform Socialism did not distinguish itself from local progressivism, and revolutionary Socialism adopted violent, opportunistic methods which prevented broad support. Debs’ unique ideology of Founding ideals, faith in democracy, and total …

Alexander The Great And Hernán Cortés: Ambiguous Legacies Of Leadership, Justin D. Lyons

Faculty Books

This is a biographical pairing of two of the greatest conquerors in human history, drawing its inspiration from Plutarch's Parallel Lives. Like Plutarch, the purpose of the pairing is not primarily historical. While Plutarch covers the history of each of the lives he chronicles, he also emphasizes questions of character and the larger lessons of politics to be derived from the deeds he recounts. The book provides a narrative account both of Alexander's conquest of the Persian Empire and Cortés's conquest of the Aztec Empire while reflecting on the larger questions that emerge from each. The campaign narratives are followed …

The Sound Of The Silence: Music In World War Ii Concentration Camps, Jacob A. Tudor

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Music was a constant and crucial component of everyday life in World War II concentration camps. In the concentration camps, there were many genres of music performed and written by victims of German brutality. The Germans used the power of music in the concentration camps as a way to degrade and torture the victims. On the other hand, World War II concentration camp victims used music as a response of the perception to the reality of daily life. It was also used as a coping mechanism and a way to provide the strength to survive on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, …

A Somewhat Silent Protest: How Dmitri Shostakovich Used His Music, Not His Words, To Rebel Against The Soviet Government, Michael J. Wood

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Dmitri Shostakovich composed in an environment which was extremely hostile toward artists—especially those that were innovative. Shostakovich was denounced by the Soviet government and had to be cautious with his compositions. If the government disapproved of his work, they could have killed him, as they did other artists. Shostakovich obviously had to keep his opinions to himself for fear of being killed. Although he had to keep his unfavorable views of the Soviet government private, he found ways to make bold, rebellious statements through his music. This paper will seek to show several pieces in which Shostakovich demonstrated his disapproval …

Rendering To God And Caesar: Critical Readings For American Government, Mark Caleb Smith, Jewerl Maxwell, Marc A. Clauson, Kevin F. Sims, David L. Rich, Andrew Travis

Faculty Books

To understand American government is, at minimum, to recognize religion's profound influence on our culture and, by extension, our politics." So state the editors of this outstanding collection of 55 readings that survey the function and purpose of American government from its founding to the present. Rendering to God and Caesar is mostly comprised of primary sources, including founding documents, Supreme Court cases, and momentous speeches. Grouped into six unifying sections with introductions that tie the individual works together and point to their significance, each article is introduced as well by brief comments to highlight specific features or issues.

Designed …

Rendering To God And Caesar: Critical Readings For American Government, Mark Caleb Smith, Jewerl Maxwell, Marc Clauson, Kevin F. Sims, David L. Rich, Andrew Travis

Kevin F. Sims, Ph.D.

To understand American government is, at minimum, to recognize religion's profound influence on our culture and, by extension, our politics." So state the editors of this outstanding collection of 55 readings that survey the function and purpose of American government from its founding to the present. Rendering to God and Caesar is mostly comprised of primary sources, including founding documents, Supreme Court cases, and momentous speeches. Grouped into six unifying sections with introductions that tie the individual works together and point to their significance, each article is introduced as well by brief comments to highlight specific features or issues. Designed …

Beyond Subversive Institutions: Understanding Categorical Factors Of State Dismemberment In Europe, Glen M.E. Duerr

History and Government Faculty Presentations

As a number of scholars have shown, institutions played a central role in the breakups of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union in the 1990s. This paper builds on that work to explore in greater depth the variations across their experiences, including sub-cases within the former Yugoslavia, especially in the lens of violence accompanying the breakups. It does so by examining these variables: whether the dismemberment was the result of dissolution or secession, whether it was elite or mass-driven and whether and how it was contested. This paper finds that state dissolution produces more peaceful outcomes than the secession of …

Conceptualizing Evangelical Influence In U.S. Foreign Policy: Caught Between Structural Realism And Neoliberal Institutionalism, Glen M.E. Duerr, Amber Thorne-Hamilton

History and Government Faculty Presentations

The Presidency of George W. Bush did much to spotlight the role of Evangelical Christians in the political realm. However, it is arguable that every president since Jimmy Carter has had at least some ties with evangelicalism. The first aspect of this paper is to pin down what an evangelical is. Existing literature on the subject we argue is inadequate and has led to much misunderstanding of evangelical Christians and to simplistic coding procedures in quantitative studies. Second, we narrow this paper into a specific discussion of evangelical influence in foreign policy. Over 80 percent of evangelicals supported Bush in …

Will Belgium Dissolve? A Comparative Examination Of State Dissolution In Europe, Glen M.E. Duerr, Landon E. Hancock

History and Government Faculty Presentations

The parliamentary deadlock surrounding the 2007 Belgian election, fake news reports of dissolution and Time magazine’s discussion of a Czechoslovak style divorce, showcase how Belgium may be inching towards breakup. We argue that the case of Belgium will be more likely to follow that of dissolution, the consensual breakup of the center; rather than go through a divisive secession, the removal of a territory on the periphery. This differentiates the Belgian case from other contemporary peaceful separatist movements like Quebec, Catalonia and others which may make it more susceptible to breakup. Moreover, we argue that based on Hancock (1998), sufficient …

Adding To The Westphalian Map: Categorizing Mechanisms Of National Self-Determination, Glen M.E. Duerr

History and Government Faculty Presentations

This paper seeks to add greater definitional rigor to categorizing the mechanisms through which separatist regions become independent. In the literature, some sporadic delineation is used; however, it is not uniform nor are the definitions widely agreed upon. It is, therefore, important to categorize different ways in which new states effectively add to the Westphalian map. Six distinct mechanisms of independence emerged in this study which were then divided into four groups. Each group helps to explain how a state breakups up and under what conditions. Decolonization, irredentism, dissolution and secession are the four major groupings of national independence found …

Gentleman George Hunt Pendleton: Party Politics And Ideological Identity In Nineteenth-Century America, Thomas S. Mach

Alumni Book Gallery

George Hunt Pendleton is a significant but neglected figure in the history of nineteenth-century politics. A Democrat from Cincinnati, Ohio, Pendleton led the mid-western faction of the party for much of the nineteenth century. He served in the Ohio Senate for one term before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1857 until 1865. He was a leader of the Extreme Peace Democrats during the Civil War and was General George B. McClellan's running mate in the presidential campaign of 1864. Losing both the election and his seat in the House, he spent almost fifteen years out of public …

Gentleman George Hunt Pendleton: Party Politics And Ideological Identity In Nineteenth-Century America, Thomas S. Mach

Faculty Books

George Hunt Pendleton is a significant but neglected figure in the history of nineteenth-century politics. A Democrat from Cincinnati, Ohio, Pendleton led the mid-western faction of the party for much of the nineteenth century. He served in the Ohio Senate for one term before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1857 until 1865. He was a leader of the Extreme Peace Democrats during the Civil War and was General George B. McClellan's running mate in the presidential campaign of 1864. Losing both the election and his seat in the House, he spent almost fifteen years out of public …

A History Of The Idea Of "God's Law" (Theonomy): Its Origins, Development And Place In Political And Legal Thought, Marc A. Clauson

Faculty Books

This book addresses the idea that the judicial law of God, as found in the Old Testament of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, has a place in legal and political thought and practice, as well as economic thought, and has advanced in various forms since the beginning of Christianity, and previously, during the period of the Hebrew Commonwealth. This work traces the Theonomic movement and its ideas from its roots in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries into its modern form, placing Theonomy in context of legal, political, and economic philosophy.