Our essays for US History will involve analyzing and contextualizing some of the primary sources from the time periods we have explored. (Remember that a primary source is something that was produced during the time period we are studying by a participant or eyewitness to the events we are trying to understand.) Note: your paper must use the assigned version of the online documents to receive credit.
You will also use your textbook chapters to help you interpret your documents. (Remember that secondary sources are books, articles, and documentaries produced by historians in the present day.) For this assignment you should use only the textbook (and lecture notes) unless you get additional secondary sources approved ahead of time.
Choose at least three of the documents listed below. Using them as evidence (alongside the other things you have learned in the course), how would you characterize democracy in early America? (For example, what kinds of people enjoyed political rights and responsibilities? In what ways did Americans make demands or exert themselves, especially those who did not enjoy formal political participation? To what extent did Americans in this period promote greater equality and inclusivity?)
White Rhode Islanders demand voting rights https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/rhode-islanders-protest-property-restrictions-on-voting-1834/
Black Philadelphians defend their voting rights https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/black-philadelphians-defend-their-voting-rights-1838/
Frederick Douglass speaks on the Fourth of July https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/frederick-douglass-what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july-1852/
Samuel Morse promotes an anti-Catholic conspiracy theory https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/samuel-morse-fears-a-catholic-conspiracy-1835/
Maria Stewart condemns Northern racism https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/the-market-revolution/maria-stewart-bemoans-the-consequences-of-racism-1832/
A mill worker describes a strike in Lowell https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/the-market-revolution/harriet-h-robinson-describes-a-mill-workers-strike-1863/
Alexis de Tocqueville describes “separate spheres” https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/the-market-revolution/alexis-de-toqueville-how-americans-understand-the-equality-of-the-sexes-1840/
Andrew Jackson vetoes the Bank of the U.S. https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/andrew-jacksons-veto-message-against-re-chartering-the-bank-of-the-united-states-1832/
Be sure to follow these instructions for your essay:
Use at least three (3) documents from the list above. The bulk of your essay should be focused on analyzing the primary sources—that is, summarizing the documents, quoting or describing specific information from them, explaining what it means, and discussing how these examples relate to your thesis.
As you describe your chosen sources, make sure you explain the perspective of each document—who wrote it and why? What do we know about the author and the situation in which they produced this document? What kind of document is it?
Provide a clear introduction to the topic and a thesis statement that summarizes your main points, as well as a conclusion that recaps your main points and restates your overall thesis. (These sections are often easier to write after you have already drafted the body of the essay.)
Use your textbook chapters as secondary sources to help you explain the meaning of each source. For example, you could:
Describe what was happening when and where each document was produced.
Explain larger developments or ideas that the document addresses or refers to.
Include information that might confirm or challenge what your specific primary sources say– is there anything they left out that we should know?
Provide more general background information on the topic in your introduction.
Make additional points supported by the evidence in the secondary sources to further support your thesis.
Additional guidelines:
Sources should be cited with author’s last name in parenthetical citations, according to MLA format. Be sure to include a Works Cited page that lists all of the sources (both primary and secondary) that you used. See this handout for examples Download this handout for examples of in-text citations and a Works Cited page that you can emulate. (Please do not try to create your Works Cited page automatically in Word; it will not be formatted correctly.)
The essay should be 4-5 pages double-spaced, with a standard 12-point font (such as Times New Roman) and 1-inch margins. (This is a guideline; I do not award or take away points based solely on length or word count.)
You will submit your essay online as either a Word document or pdf file through the Canvas assignment tool. Please take note of the closing date. Once the assignment closes, late papers will not be accepted without documentation of an emergency. See this tutorial on uploading a file.
Rubric
Essay 1 Rubric
Essay 1 Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis statement
Thesis statement should be a clear and specific summary of main points provided in one place (intro or conclusion); may be more than one sentence; should reflect complex analysis to earn full points.
10 pts
Clear statement of specific and complex main points
8 pts
Addresses prompt with specific points; could be clearer
7 pts
Identifiable argument
6 pts
Descriptive statements only
0 pts
Does not address prompt and/or fit the analysis
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDocument use
Essay earns three points for incorporating plenty of specific information from a document
9 pts
Includes plenty of specific information from 3
0 pts
Vague or general references to documents only
9 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDocument interpretation
Earns 2 points for each document interpreted correctly; earns 1 point for each document interpreted with minor errors; earns 0 points for documents completely misinterpreted/misconstrued
6 pts
Accurately interprets 3 documents
4 pts
One major error or two minor errors
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDocument source
Earns 3 points for each document where author’s identity and perspective are described and type of source is addressed.
9 pts
Identifies author’s identity, perspective, and type of source type for all documents
3 pts
Identifies name of author or source only
0 pts
No specific discussion of author or situation
9 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDocument analysis
Earns 4 points for each document that is effectively explained and connected to main point or overall thesis.
12 pts
Each source is effectively explained and connected to the essay’s main points
9 pts
Each source is connected to main points but could be explained more thoroughly
6 pts
Visible attempts are made to explain or connect documents; are partially effective
0 pts
No explicit connections or unique perspectives are offered
12 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeHistorical context
Provides sufficient background information on topic from assigned secondary sources and provides relevant context for each document to support analysis.
30 pts
Contextual information (descriptions and explanations of events or background developments) provided consistently throughout essay
25 pts
Secondary sources are used throughout but could be connected better
21 pts
Some specific context is provided in several places
15 pts
Contextual information is presented occasionally but is not sufficient
0 pts
No attempt is made to provide context from other assigned sources
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCitations
Sources should all be formatted correctly and appropriately, including a works cited page/bibliography
12 pts
All sources are cited correctly in the text and Works Cited page
8 pts
Missing a Works Cited page or several citations; might contain a couple of mistakes
6 pts
Contains multiple mistakes or is missing several citations
0 pts
Does not accurately cite or identify sources used
12 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting style and clarity
12 pts
Ideas are expressed clearly in your own unique voice
0 pts
Ideas are not expressed clearly in your own unique voice
12 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome2. Analyze and discuss the cultural significance of pieces of art, performances, or texts from diverse aesthetic, historical, and social contexts. (version 02)
Analyze and discuss the cultural significance of pieces of art, performances, or texts from diverse aesthetic, historical, and social contexts.
threshold: 2.0 pts
4 pts
Exemplary
3 pts
Outstanding
2 pts
Competent
1 pts
Developing
0 pts
No data / Unsatisfactory
—
Total Points: 100
