Assessing Causes of the American Civil War

History 11 / Section: 1011, 1012, & 1013

Fall 2015 / Professor Robinson

Assessing Causes of the

American Civil War

ESSAY TOPIC (Chapter 14): In essay format critically examine how two of the key

events (listed below) of the 1850s were primary causes of the Civil War

Essay: 100 Points

Work must be uploaded to the Turnitin.com

link in your Moodle Classroom

Final Essay 100 Points

Due Date: 11/18/15 at 11:59 PM Final Essay submitted to Turnitin.com link in your

Moodle classroom

Frederick Douglass

Key Events:

 Abolition Literature: How did Frederick Douglass’s story (published in 1845)

influence public opinion about slavery?

 Compromise of 1850: How did this legislation provide compromises regarding

slavery and the land acquired by the Mexican American War?

 Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 1854 / Bleeding Kansas: How does this event reflect the

national conflict over slavery and the effectiveness of popular sovereignty?

 Dred Scott Decision, 1857: What does this say about the future of slavery?

 The outcome of the election of 1860: How did this affect the South?

Essay Research Specifications:

For this research essay you will need to go to the library, access an online library catalog/journal

database, and/or use the Internet.

You must use the following for your research:

1. One (1) secondary source of your choice, but it must be an academic source

a. Academic secondary source includes: History journal articles, a book published by a

University Press, a web site created by a historical foundation or university

i. Do not use a reference/tertiary source: encyclopedia / your textbook

2. One (1) primary source for at least one of your chosen topics

a. Primary sources include: Autobiographies, Diaries, Interviews, Official records, Speeches

Essay Construction Specifications:

 Your 3 page essay must include one short (1-5 words) quotation (one from each source)

o Quotes may NOT be any longer than 5 words!

o Hint: quotes should provide the opinion of your author and be worked into your sentence to

provide evidence to support your position. Do not quote factual information that is commonly

known.

 Your essay needs to be in APA format

o Your essay must include a Title page, 3 pages of your written work, and a Reference page in

APA format (An abstract is not required)

o See the APA Cheat Sheet located in your Moodle classroom

 Do NOT use Wikipedia!

 Do NOT plagiarize! Please refer to the plagiarism policy on your syllabus and use the resources

available on Moodle to assist you with identifying plagiarism. Plagiarism will result in a zero grade

 Questions: Contact me by Moodle message or at: [email protected]

Extra Credit Opportunity: 5 points

 Get signed up for Academic Connections (this must be done in advance because I am required to sign the authorization form)

 Go to Academic Connections and consult with a tutor regarding staying on the assigned topic, grammar, spelling, punctuation, essay organization, and APA format (reference APA Cheat Sheet)

 Academic Connections will issue you a stamped green receipt  To receive the extra credit points you must submit your receipt to the instructor by the day the final

essay is due