In an essay that is approximately 750 words in length, answer the question below using one of the primary sources from the relevant portion of the reader and other assigned readings and media. Your essay should contain a thesis or argument that answers the question and should use evidence from the source to support that argument. You may use your textbook and/or lecture notes in your answer.
Essay Question:
How are ideas such as Americanism, freedom, liberty and rights depicted in this document? How does the author(s) define, describe, and/or challenge these concepts? What does this reveal to you about the time in which the document was created?
Your analysis of the primary source should include the following information:
What type of source is this?
Who produced this source? When?
What was the context in which the source was created?
What biases or agendas do you see influencing the source?
Demonstrate how the source provides evidence to support your answer to the question. In addition, excellent essays will make broader connections between the social or ethical issues presented in the sources and those of other historical periods, including the present. Your essay must include documentation of the sources within the essay. Your instructor will provide further clarification about the type of documentation they require.
Using Primary Sources in Your Answer:
To answer the above questions, your essay must analyze one of the following primary sources you’ve read and viewed this semester:
Document 26.1: Poster Proclaims the Benefits of DDT, 1947
Document 26.2: Edith M. Stern Declares Women are Household Slaves, 1949
Document 26.3: Percy L. Julian Decries Racial Segregation in Dallas, 1956
Document 26.4: C. Wright Mills Warns of Cheerful Robots, 1959
Document 26.5: Photograph of the Little Rock Nine Being Escorted into School by U.S. Troops, 1957
Citation format:
When citing primary sources, please use this format: (Document 16.1), (Document 16.2), etc.
When citing the textbook, please use this format: (American Yawp, Chapter 26: The Affluent Society), etc.
