Write separate essays for three of these questions. No outside sources allowed, use only information from our assigned readings and class materials, cited in parentheses when necessary. Each essay is required to have citations and should have a thesis, intro, body, and conclusion. Each essay should be 2-4 FULL pages in length, double-spaced and in 12-point font.
1. Explain the ways in which the American Revolution was caused by ONE of the following: Economics, political ideology, social/cultural change. You don’t have to argue it was the ONLY cause, just the ways in which it was a factor. Do not cover a topic that you covered in any of your other essays.
2. What was the greatest force of social change in American life during the period 1490-1787? Do not cover a topic that you covered in any of your other essays.
3. What was the greatest force of economic change in American life during the period 1490-1787? Do not cover a topic that you covered in any of your other essays.
4. Explain the paradox of slavery and freedom in the US as it stood in 1776 when the Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence. Besides explaining the paradox, include in your answer economic reasons for slavery as well why there was a switch from indentured servitude to slavery. Do not cover a topic that you covered in any of your other essays.
5. Compare two visions of and/or for America discussed in the class materials somewhere in units 1-6. The vision can be of individuals or groups. Be sure to choose visions that will make for a good comparison. An example could be the visions of two political parties, or two people, etc. Do not cover a topic that you covered in any of your other essays.
A reminder of how to do citations in parentheses: (Author year, page number)
For example:
(Oakes et al. 2017, 136)
(Bailey and Kennedy 2016, 45)
For citing class materials use this format: (Class Materials year, Unit number) you can also use this format for citing from one of the assigned articles.
For example:
(Class Materials 2024, Unit Four)
Exam Rubric
Criteria (100 points total)
Descriiption
Answer (40)
Overall answer to the question and how well the answer is explained throughout your essay both overall and in the details
Evidence (30)
Use of evidence and sources
Requirements (20)
Length, citations, proofreading
Structure (10)
Thesis, organization into an introduction, body and conclusion, flow from point to point, style, tone
