Assignment: Two times during the semester, you will write a paper that makes a historical argument in response to a question of your choosing. The essay should be 800-1100 words long and provide sufficient evidence from the textbook and the primary sources in the modules to support your main argument. The questions for the #1 Essay are provided in this description. You will have the option to revise and resubmit Essay #1 for additional points.
Description: This assignment is designed to help you work on the class learning objectives related to making historical arguments and demonstrating mastery of key events, people, and ideas in US history. It will also help you to develop your skills in the Core learning objectives by showing how things change over time, interpreting events, ideas, etc. in their historical context, and evaluating sources.
What do to: Write an 800-1100-word essay that includes an introductory paragraph with a strong thesis statement, three or four body paragraphs that provide supporting evidence to support that thesis statement, and a conclusion paragraph that brings together your argument as a whole. Body paragraphs should begin with clear topic sentences and end with a strong transition sentence. You should plan to have 5-6 sentences per paragraph. All paragraphs must have footnotes that cite your primary and secondary sources whether you are paraphrasing a source or quoting directly from it. You can expect to have at least six total footnotes in the entire essay. You must use at least one secondary source (like the textbook and/or class lectures) and at least one class primary source (most of the pdfs in the modules). You can cite the same source more than once. You do not need to consult outside sources.
- How did Reconstruction and its failures affect the lives of African Americans between 1877 and 1920? In your answer be sure to consider both the events and effects of Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era, as well as African Americans’ responses to those events. Responses must include a class primary source from the modules to receive highest marks.