Assignment Requirements:
Your responses need:
This essay must be 8-11 paragraphs minimum (a paragraph is 3-5 complete sentences, not fragments, not bullet points). 1 paragraph of introduction, 6-9 paragraphs for the body, 1 paragraph of conclusion.
Each essay must include a thesis statement. You need to make an actual argument that needs to be supported with facts.
Each essay needs to rely on evidence found in classroom lectures, our textbook, and the OER textbook. YOU MAY NOT use outside sources, like the internet, without prior approval. Click here for the link to the OER textbook.
You must use a primary and secondary source. Lectures do not count.
You must cite where you got each piece of evidence [For Example: “Hitler annexed Austria in 1938” (Created Equal) or “African Americans were often forced to take bogus literacy tests before they were outlawed in 1965 (“Voting Literacy Test 1965” in Created Equal) or “The Union Stockyards are an example of Gilded Age industrialism” (Gilded Age Lecture)]
Put a works cited page and in-text citations.
Use MLA or Chicago Style citations
Essays should ONLY include topics that happened between 1492 and 1877.
Submit essays in word doc or pdf format. Google doc links, pages, odt, or text submissions will not be accepted.
Follow the question prompts carefully. If a question asks you to give five specific examples, give five examples. If the question asks you to discuss the cause and effects, please discuss both.
The number one thing that students do wrong in these essays is over-generalize. Be very clear and very explicit. Do not tell me, for example, that the lives of women changed in the 20th century because “they got more freedoms.” That will not receive a passing grade. Instead, you should talk about things like the 19th amendment or the specific things feminism did for women.
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
Please choose ONE question
1. Please explore slavery in US History. Your response must include the following: (1) Explain the origins of slavery in the American colonies, (2) the realities of slavery (e.g. their lives, abuse, economies, etc), (3) and its role in causing the Civil War, referencing at least two Conflicts or Compromises that resulted in the Civil War.
Please use evidence from your textbook, primary source readings, lectures, videos to support your argument. Be flexible in your thinking, as answers are everywhere. (Please note. You must answer ALL subparts of the essay prompt.)
2. Explain the development of a National Economy beginning with the First Industrial Revolution and ending in the Antebellum Period. Please cite at least four examples while being specific in your response using evidence from your textbook, primary source readings, lectures, videos to support your argument.
3. Explore the concept of Religion in US History: Your response should include 4 specific examples on how religion has influenced the United States. You might find examples as to how religion influenced the founding of the United States, politics, military actions, or economy. Your examples should happen between 1492 and 1877. Your responses must be based on historical records and primary source evidence. It should avoid your own personal feelings about religion and not make value-based judgments regarding a particular faith (i.e. you should not make statements regarding which religions are “right” or “wrong” or that it is a “good” or “bad” thing that the country follows a particular faith. )
4. Throughout history there are clear divisions between urban and rural geographies and cultures. Pick two specific eras discussed in this course and describe the ways in which urban and rural Americans had very different experiences. Be specific in your response using evidence from your textbook, primary source readings, lectures, videos to support your argument.
