Short essay (25 points): Compare and contrast the three major colonial regions—the Chesapeake, New England, and the middle colonies— that comprised Britain’s North American empire in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Essays must focus on at least three relevant similarities and/or differences related to settlement patterns and population growth, social characteristics, politics, economic development, or religion.
Long essay (45 points): Discuss the evolution of American politics from the early republic, beginning in the 1790s, to the mid-1850s and the formation of Republican Party. Examine the rise of key political parties, ideas, issues, and policies in the nation’s early politics, paying close attention to the causes of ongoing disagreement that led to political change during this period
Tips for scoring well on the essays:
● Begin the essay with a thesis that outlines an argument in response to the statements posed in the
prompt.
● Devote the body of the essay to advancing the thesis.
● Provide context for claims made in the essay. Discuss specific historical conditions that led to an event
or that were crucial in encouraging the process of historical change.
● Beware of unsupported generalizations. Use evidence throughout the essay to enhance the quality of
analysis and interpretation.
● Make sure the response develops logically and that attention s given to chronological development.
● Demonstrate change over time. Do not cluster the essay in a single time period. You cannot show how
change occurs, for example, if you write only about political development in the 1790s.
● Demonstrate cause and effect. Show an understanding of how change occurs or why a particular event
is significant.
● Most Important: Do not plagiarize or attempt to use AI software to complete the essay
responses. All essays should be written in your own words and will be scanned by Turnitin for evidence of plagiarism or AI. Violations of this policy will automatically result in a 0 for the final exam and, possibly, for the course.
