Choose one of the following research prompts for your final research project. In addition to the prompt, the paper or presentation should also spend time discussing the relevancy of the topic in the present day. In other words, how has this topic influenced affected current political relations, social-economic issues, environmental issues, or social justice issues faced today?
Option 1: Many historians argue that America is an empire because it demonstrated colonial and imperialist tactics to expand Westward, which benefited some and push several others from their homes. For this prompt, argue how the nineteenth century ideology of Manifest Destiny relates to imperialism and the eventual acquisition of the entire United States. Consider: Louisiana Purchase, Annexation of Texas, War with Mexico, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and California’s 1850 Act for the Government and Protection of Indians.
Option 2: Several historians argue that slavery is capitalism at its most ugly form by making a few extremely wealthy at the economic, social, and physical expense of the many. For this prompt, create an argument that shows how slavery was integral to the development of early American capitalism and America’s capitalistic economy. Consider: the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Cotton Kingdom, and Hereditary Racialized Slavery.
Option 3: Throughout American history, European settlers and Americans considered indigenous peoples of North America “uncivilized” and “violent,” which has continued to propel negative stereotypes to this day in media and elsewhere. Though violence did occur, it was often the aftermath trying diplomacy or other techniques. Choose at least three different events or accounts that demonstrate Native American autonomy and diplomacy that counter this narrative. Consider: Fur Trade, Red Jacket diplomates, Ghost Dance, written grievousness, various wars and treaties.
Pick Your Own Topic (must be approved first before writing proposal!): If none of the prompts above interest you or you are passionate about another topic, then you can choose to do a research project on anything provide it fits the current time period we are learning about and relates to US history and one or more of the following themes: class, gender, ethnicity, culture, and politics.
Instructions – Writing the Research Proposal
There are four parts to the Research Proposal. You may write all of this on one Word document and please separate each step with headings.
Step 1 – Narrow your topic
Create a thesis statement or historical argument that is as narrow as possible and place it on the top of the paper. In other words, what is your position on the topic? See the examples below under “Narrow Your Topic and Writing a Thesis Statement.”
Step 2 – Write a 150-250 word paragraph that answers the below:
A general description of the topic that you have selected. Why did you choose it and why do you think this topic is historically significant? Does the controversy of this topic fascinate you?
Are you writing a paper or doing a PowerPoint video presentation?
Discuss what primary sources and secondary sources you will need to support this argument. Try to be as specific as possible here as it will help you later on when writing the annotated bibliography and research project. Was there a specific primary source or two that we read in class that you want to use? Are there any primary sources you want to find (ex: a women who experienced the Boston Massacre)? Look at the American Yawp Primary Source ReaderLinks to an external site., Internet ArchiveLinks to an external site., Library of CongressLinks to an external site., Chronicling America Newspaper ArchiveLinks to an external site. or elsewhere. What secondary sources would you like to research to help support your argument?
Step 3 – Write a 150-250 word paragraph that answers the below:
How does this topic relate to social justice issues (women’s rights, slavery, immigration, ethnic minorities, environmental concerns, etc)?
What does this event say about this time period politically, religiously, culturally, environmentally, and/or economically? How does that compare to today, and how are we still seeing these effects or influence from the past?
Step 4 – Write down three research questions
Write down three research questions you have about the topic that you would like to answer through your research.
