Slavery

Slavery was prevalent in both northern and southern British North American colonies, and continued to influence all regions of the country until it was abolished. Read through Gottlieb Mittleberger and Olaudah Equiano's accounts and Samuel Sewall's "The Selling of Joseph."

We'll discuss the legal changes to slavery in the 17th century on Friday, and we'll discuss pro-slavery arguments on Tuesday, looking at the Dew, Hammond, Calhoun and Fitzhugh documents on Studyspace.

How did slavery change from the 17th century to the 19th century?

***Again, avoid writing an essay in the comments. One idea per comment please!

This post will be available for comments until Monday, April 13. Have a great spring break!

Early Republic

A lot of events took place within the US and around the world that effected the US in some way. What were some of the things that had the potential to harm or strengthen the country in the late 1700s and early 1800s?

***Note: DO NOT write an essay in the comments. Pick one event (there are lots!) and explain how you think it answers the question. Limit yourself to one idea per comment, and feel free to return to the conversation after a few hours or a few days. Dialogue is always welcome, but please leave room for everyone to respond!

This post will be available for comments until Thursday, March 26.

Midterm or Mid-semester Opportunity

Choose one of the following options:

Option 1: 
In what ways does John Adams' essay "Thoughts on Government" reflect the problems facing the former British North American colonies after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776? In addition to the Foner textbook, you may use the following documents to answer this question:

• John Adams' "Thoughts on Government"
• Fears of the Federalists/Fears of the Republicans essays
• Alexander Hamilton "The Few and the Many"
• Thomas Jefferson on Shay's Rebellion

You MAY NOT use any other sources to answer this question. References to other sources, cited or not, will result in a failing grade for this assignment.

Option 2:
At the time of the American Revolution, how did the former British North American colonies define freedom? In addition to the Foner textbook, you may use the following documents to answer this question:

• Felix's Petition for Freedom
• Ebeneezer Fox
• Lucy Knox Letter
• Washington Returns Slaves to their Owners
• J. Hector St. John Crevecoeur's "Letters from an American Farmer"  (For some reason, the title of this document on StudySpace is "Noah Webster on Property." This is a mistake, but you may use the document. It is also available with the correct title in the Chapter 7 StudySpace documents).

You MAY NOT use any other sources to answer this question. References to other sources, cited or not, will result in a failing grade for this assignment.

Requirements:

• A clear thesis that presents the argument and outlines the essay
• Reference to a MINIMUM of three sources; every reference must include an MLA or Chicago style citation
• Detailed explanation of examples: who, what, where, when. 
• Analysis for each example: how this example prove the main argument? 
• Organized structure: present evidence in chronological order, organize evidence to follow outline of thesis, include strong topic sentences

Submission Instructions: 

• Submit your essay to www.turnitin.com  by Friday, March 13, 11:59 PM 
• Course ID: 9525664
• Password: History

• Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for every day they are late.
• Late submissions will not be accepted after Tuesday, March 17.
• The grading rubric is available on turnitin.com, and you may find it valuable to review before submitting your essay. Click on the blocks icon on the assignment page to view the grading rubric.
• Grades and comments will be posted on turnitin.com

Feel free to email me with any questions. Remember that we will NOT meet on Friday, March 13, and I will not have regular office hours on Friday.  You may also post questions in the comments to this post, or on the course help page.

Constitution

Given the threats looming over the nation if the Constitution was not ratified, it is understandable that both Republicans and Federalists made concessions to put even a flawed government in place. If you could whisper in the ears of the framers in Philadelphia in 1788, what would you say? Knowing what you know today about historical and current events, how would you advise the framers to proceed in 1788?

This post will be available for comments until Sunday, March 8.

American Revolution

Historians frequently debate the periodization, or beginning and ending, of events. Considering the primary sources we'll discuss this week as well as your textbook readings (and feel free to read additional sources/images from Studyspace), how would you periodize the American Revolution? When did it begin and end? You are welcome to be creative, but be prepared to support your choice with specific examples. The more specific you can be, the better!

UPDATED 2/24/15: Consider both the Letter from the Virgina House of Burgesses and the Olive Branch Petition that we discussed in class today. Note the similarities and differences between the two documents as you contemplate the "start" of the American Revolution.

This post will be available for comments until Sunday, March 1.