Your essay will need to use at least six out of the eight following documents: D
Your essay will need to use at least six out of the eight following documents:
Document #1:
Document #1: The Bill of Rights (1791)
Document #2:
“During the contest of opinion through which we have passed the animation of discussions and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose on strangers unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think; but this being now decided by the voice of the nation, announced according to the rules of the Constitution, all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression. Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things. And let us reflect that, having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions. During the throes and convulsions of the ancient world, during the agonizing spasms of infuriated man, seeking through blood and slaughter his long-lost liberty, it was not wonderful that the agitation of the billows should reach even this distant and peaceful shore; that this should be more felt and feared by some and less by others, and should divide opinions as to measures of safety. But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. I know, indeed, that some honest men fear that a republican government can not be strong, that this Government is not strong enough; but would the honest patriot, in the full tide of successful experiment, abandon a government which has so far kept us free and firm on the theoretic and visionary fear that this Government, the world’s best hope, may by possibility want energy to preserve itself? I trust not. I believe this, on the contrary, the strongest Government on earth. I believe it the only one where every man, at the call of the law, would fly to the standard of the law, and would meet invasions of the public order as his own personal concern. Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.”
Document #2: Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (1800)
Document #3:
Document #3: portrait of Alexander Hamilton
Document #4
Document #4: The Trail of Tears painted by Robert Lindneux in 1942
Document #5
Document #5: “General Jackson Slaying the Many-Headed Monster” (1836) (Links to an external site.)
Document #6
Document #6: Map of America in 1850
Document #7
“A free negro of the African race, whose ancestors were brought to this country and sold as slaves, is not a “citizen” within the meaning of the Constitution of the United States. . . .
The only two clauses in the Constitution which point to this race treat them as persons whom it was morally lawfully to deal in as articles of property and to hold as slaves. . . .
Every citizen has a right to take with him into the Territory any article of property which the Constitution of the United States recognises as property. . . .
The Constitution of the United States recognises slaves as property, and pledges the Federal Government to protect it. And Congress cannot exercise any more authority over property of that description than it may constitutionally exercise over property of any other kind. . . .
Prohibiting a citizen of the United States from taking with him his slaves when he removes to the Territory . . . is an exercise of authority over private property which is not warranted by the Constitution, and the removal of the plaintiff [Dred Scott] by his owner to that Territory gave
him no title to freedom.”
Document #7: Roger Taney on Dred Scott v Sandford (1857)
Document #8:
Document #8: Map of 1860 Election
Your grade (250 points) for this assignment will be based on the following criteria:
Thesis: Present a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and response to all parts of the question. Your thesis must consist of one or more sentences located in the introduction.
Argument Development: Develop and support a cohesive argument that recognizes and accounts for the historical complexity by explicitly illustrating relationships among historical evidence such as contradictions, corroboration, and/or qualification.
Use of Documents: Utilize the content of at least six documents to support the stated thesis or a relevant argument. For every document below the minimum quota of six documents, 30 points will be deducted from your total score.
Sourcing the documents: Explaining the significance of the author’s point of view, author’s purpose, historical context, and/or audience for at least six documents.
Contextualization: Situate the argument by explaining the broader historical events, developments, or processes immediately relevant to the question.
Go Beyond the Visuals of the Documents: This is a history test and not an eye exam so don’t repeat info that is already provided to you in the document or redescribe what the eyes can see. Provide examples or additional historical evidence (key terms/concepts from the reading and online lectures) related to the documents to support your argument
Be Creative with Your Organization/Do not provide a list of document summaries: Do not use the document # as the topic sentence of your body paragraphs for doing so will make your submission looks more like an itemized list of document summaries. Instead, your topic sentence should highlight/preview a historical theme/idea that your paragraph will discuss. Use the documents as evidence to validate/support the themes you are trying to highlight to answer the essay prompt
Proofread Your Essay Before Submission: if there is extra time left before the submission deadline, you should use it to proofread your essay and rearrange your writing to make sure it is organized and presented in a manner that the reader can follow and comprehend.
Citation: A work cited list is not needed because all of your content should be based on lectures and assigned readings only. A simple (Doc #) citation at the end of the sentence in which you discussed the document is sufficient.
[Double Check Your Submission] double-check your submission to make sure it meets all of the criteria for the assignment.
[Proofread] Please proofread your essay utilizes at least six documents to answer the essay prompt in a clear, organized, detailed, and cohesive essay format (short essay response includes a short introduction including a thesis statement, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and conclusion statement)
[At least 1000 words] Your submission must be at least 1000 words and include specific details, key terms, and contents from class readings and lectures. Any submission with fewer than 1000 words will automatically receive a zero
[Include citations of at least six documents] When quoting or citing from the document, a simple in writing MLA citation (source #) at the end of the sentence is sufficient. Any essay that does not include a citation of assigned documents, discuss relevant information/content/key terms beyond the documents and written vaguely and broadly will not receive partial credit
[Follow instructions] This is simple. Read the instructions and follow them very carefully. Failure to follow the instructions will lead to no credit for this assignment regardless of submission.
