SHORT ESSAY #1
For this short essay, you will need to consult three sources: 1.) our online textbook 2.) a set of primary sources 3.) a work of older historical scholarship, which, in some ways, can be considered outdated. The purpose of this exercise is to see how historical interpretations change over time, and how these changes often reflect how views in society at large have also evolved and changed over time. After looking at the various sources, you should make an argument in favor of a particular narrative about your subject.
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Choice 1: Debating Reconstruction
For this short essay, you will need to consult three sources: 1.) your online textbook 2.) a set of primary sources 3.) and a work of history that can be considered outdated.
PROMPT QUESTIONS:
1.) THESIS: Was Reconstruction a success, a failure, or a partial success/failure?
* The answer to this will be your thesis/argument.
2.) How does Dunning’s interpretation of Reconstruction from 1903 differ from the interpretation you’ve gotten from the class lectures and online textbook? In other words, some part of your paper should compare and contrast Dunning (an older, outdated view of the subject) with the more modern interpretation given in your textbook and in this class.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.) Read and interpret the Dunning article. Then, you should read chapter 15 from the online textbook and review your notes from class lectures on Reconstruction. Some aspect of your essay should compare and contrast Dunning with the more modern takes by you’ve learned about in this class.
2.) Explore the primary source documents linked below. You should use at least 2 to 3 of these primary sources in your essay to both support your thesis and to add ‘flavor’ to your writing.
3.) Put everything together. Think in-depth about the questions above.
4.) Craft an essay with a clear thesis/argument statement in the first paragraph. Your body paragraphs should support the thesis. You should address the questions above and incorporate the sources contained in this assignment (e.g. Dunning, the online textbook, class lectures, and the primary sources.
* A + papers will include a thesis, answer all prompts, and utilize all sources provided
SOURCES:
1.) The Dunning School interpretation of Reconstruction as it appeared in an Atlantic article, Oct. 1901.
Note: this excerpt consists only of the last two paragraphs of the longer article. If you wish to read the entire thing, you can find it here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1901/10/the-undoing-of-reconstruction/429219/
2.) The American Yawp: http://www.americanyawp.com/text/1
3.) Freedom and Southern Society Project: Land and Labor, 1866-1867
http://www.freedmen.umd.edu/LL66-67pg.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
