The Overview:
Please read the guidelines and structure below to craft an essay that examines the historical context and debate over the question of American Independence. I have provided two folders of the “Loyalist” and “Patriot” views with primary documents, and you must use at least two from each side. In addition, you are required to have 2-3 additional secondary sources (i.e. textbook, documentaries, journal articles, etc.) to help support and explain your understanding of the debate in its context.
Essays should be doubled-spaced, size 12 font, with one-inch margins all around.
Essays should be 3-5 pages – not including bibliography/works cited.
All in-text references to sources must be cited parenthetically at the end of the sentence as follows:
Primary Document. (Author Last Name); Databases. (Author Last Name or Title); Textbook. (Shi, Pg#)
All sources must be included in a bibliography/works cited format of your choice. (APA, MLA, etc.)
The Writing Assignment:
In a world that seems increasingly divided, it is important that we realize that throughout history there have been many issues about which intense debates have raged. In all of those debates, just like today, there have been intelligent and passionate people who have crafted arguments based on their particular view of the world and the evidence available to them. These men and women have made fervent pleas to both those affected by the issue and those with the power to effect change through speeches, articles, essays, and testimonies designed to detail their opinions and promote their particular solutions. Ultimately, history has cast judgement on the “rightness” and “wrongness” of those arguments and the country has moved forward with the solutions deemed best by the majority.
For this writing assignment, you are going to be asked to examine, analyze, and juxtapose two conflicting arguments made about one of the debates across America’s history – specifically, whether or not to declare independence in 1776. The goal of this assignment is not to cast judgement on the authors or their views but rather to reflect on the strength of the arguments on both sides and the effect(s) of the ultimate resolution(s) to the issue at hand on American culture and society.
The Question:
Analyze, examine, and discuss the various views surrounding some of America’s historical debates and reflect on the role of these debates and their ultimate resolution on the character of America and Americans. To fully address the debates, conduct research on the issues, carefully read the opposing viewpoints, reflect on the efficacy of both arguments, and consider the outcome of the debate. Craft your essay response in the following parts:
Part I – Introduce the historical context of the issue. Do some basic research on the era using the San Jacinto library databases, the textbook, and/or documentaries to briefly discuss the historical context of independence to introduce the reader to the subject and its place in American History.
Part II – Analyze one side of the debate. Using your research and at least two of the documents provided explain to the reader one side of the debate. Be sure to discuss the identity of the authors, the main points of their arguments, their strengths and weaknesses, and what types of evidence they used to convey their point of view.
Part III – Analyze the other side of the debate. Using your research and at least two of the documents provided explain to the reader the other perspective on the debate. Be sure to discuss the identity of the authors, the main points of their arguments, their strengths and weaknesses, and what types of evidence they used to convey their point of view.
Part IV – Explain the outcome of the debate and the role that debate played in American history. Tell the reader which of the arguments ultimately won out and how the debate was eventually resolved. Explain to the reader what steps were taken to bring the debate to resolution and how that resolution changed America historically and how it continues to impact American society today. Specifically consider how some of our founding documents (i.e. the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) were a reflection of the debates over independence.
Part V – How are the issues presented in the reading(s) still relevant to you today? Please explain how your personal background and life experiences might influence your perspective on this topic. Imagine that you have been asked to tackle a current national or global issue. How would you use the readings to help you do so? (Do not get too focused on the narrow specifics of the historical topic, but rather think broadly about modern debates, questions of independence and liberty, etc.)
