Historians turn to primary sources to tell us about life in a certain place and time. For this assignment you will write a 2-3 page paper that analyzes at least one primary source in order to completely address one of the prompts below. The main question- which must be addressed- is bolded. The “consider questions” are designed to help you answer the main question, but you don’t need to directly discuss them in your paper (though they can help you organize the paper and sort out your thesis.) You MUST use at least one primary source to formulate your answer.
1. What was the relationship like between Indigenous people and the Spanish in and around the California Missions during the 1770s? (Consider: How did the Spanish view and treat Natives? How did the Natives view and treat the Spanish? How did these perceptions impact their interactions?) Lay out your argument with a thesis and provide evidence in the form of quotes and examples from the primary sources in this course.
Recommended sources: Jayme, Luis “Criticizes the Spanish Soldiers”- linked in module, Captain F. W. Beechey “Missionary Activity in New Spain’s Northern Frontier” (30-34), Pablo Tac “Life on a California Mission” (34-35), Eulalia Perez “Duties of a Housekeeper” (35-36), Junipero Serra, “The Importance of Laborers in the Mission (37-38), Junipero Serra “On the Lenient Treatment of Indians (38-39)
2. How did the aftermath of the Mexican American War affect Californios and Indigenous people in the late 1840s and 1850s in California? (Consider: How was the social system and economy of California set up prior to the war? How did it change? How were ethnic Mexicans (Californios) or Native Americans seen prior to the war? How were they treated after? How did power, economics, social systems, political representation, laws, violence or property ownership shift? You may wish to focus on just 1-2 of those shifts in this paper) Lay out your argument with a thesis and provide evidence in the form of quotes and examples from the primary sources in this course.
Recommended sources: Guadalupe Vallejo, “A Californio Condemns the Intrusion of Anglo Americans into California” (50-51), Hutchings’ California Magazine, “Land Loss in California” (82-84), Antonio Maria Pico “A Loss of Land and Power” (85-87), Tiburcio Vasquez “Resistance in California (96-97), John Rollin Ridge “Legend Making: An Account of Joaquin Murrieta,1854” (98-100), Newspaper Excerpts Regarding Native Americans from the California Gold Rush (1862)- linked in module, Antonio Franco Coronel “For me the placers were finished.” (1849)- linked in module.
3. How were Mexican Americans viewed and treated by white Americans during the early 1900s(1900-1920 note: that’s BEFORE the Great Depression)? How did ethnic Mexicans resist? (Consider: What was the relationship like between white Americans and ethnic Mexicans in that time period? Were there any major events that changed the relationship? If so how? How did those events change how ethnic Mexicans were seen- as well as how they were treated? What role did immigration, laws, labor/economics, and war impact these views? You may wish to focus on just 1-2 events/ issues in this paper) Lay out your argument with a thesis and provide evidence in the form of quotes and examples from the primary sources in this course.
Recommended sources: Samuel Bryan, “Mexican Americans and Southwestern Growth” (131-136), Merton E. Hill “Americanization” (140-142), Las Vegas Daily Optic “The White Caps Spell Out their Position” (120-121), Plan de San Diego (121-123)
You can locate the primary sources inside the modules- under the “Required Readings” section and in the Mexican American Voices book. You must include at least one written primary source, but you can also discuss additional primary sources that are visual (please don’t embed the image). If you find a primary source from outside the module or required Mexican American Voices textbook, please email it to me at least 48 hours in advance to confirm that it is a primary source. Otherwise use only the primary sources and your notes from lecture and/or the optional textbook (Crucible of Struggle). DO NOT use outside sources.
Please note that you should not summarize lecture or your document, but instead think critically about and deeply analyze/ discuss the document. Successful papers will include a clear argument that answers the question. They will provide evidence that supports this claim, including quotes from the primary source (and a discussion of the quotes).
A full explanation of analysis and how to analyze a primary source has been provided in our writing module. Please review those materials before you begin to write your paper. Likewise, canvas includes a lengthy discussion of plagiarism and how to avoid it. Please review that before you begin your paper. Plagiarism will earn a zero.
Ensure that you have properly cited throughout. (You may choose your citation style: MLA or Chicago.) How to cite is also included in the writing module. It is required. A works cited page is required- but does not count to the page minimum. You must include that works cited inside the one document you submit- Turnitin.com can’t accept more than one document.
Follow standard formatting guidelines provided in the syllabus: 12pt, double-spaced Times New Roman font and one inch margins, do not include a cover sheet but ensure your name, the date, the instructors name, and the course number/name are included on the first page of your work on the left hand side, ensure that your work does not include extra spaces after each paragraph. No title page.
If you would like detailed feedback on a draft of your paper, email it to me to ask for feedback at least 1 week (7 days) before the due date. Word works best for feedback on papers.
If I do not submit your assignment by 11:59pm on the due date it will be considered late. See the syllabus for the late work policy: for Papers ONLY you can submit within 24 hours late and lose 1 letter grade, and between 24-48 hours late to lose two grades- after that no late work would be accepted except for emergency situations.
