history

MAJOR ESSAY OPTIONS:

*UNIT 1 Option: What was the ‘Transatlantic Slave Trade’? How did it begin and develop? Be sure to

describe the key players and economic situations that led to its development as well as the human costs in

relation to the experience of Africans.

*UNIT 2 Option: What factors during the colonial period led to American colonists declaring

independence from the British Empire? Be sure to discuss the economic, political, and cultural aspects of

the American Revolution.

*UNIT 3 Option: What is the United States Constitution and how did it come about as a binding legal

document? What were the differences amongst the ‘Founding Fathers’ in developing the federal system of

the United States? What role did the addition of a ‘Bill of Rights’ play in closing the deal?

*UNIT 4 Option: Compare and contrast the ‘North’ and the ‘South’ in economic, cultural, and political

terms in the build-up to the American Civil War. What issues led to states seceding from the Union and

creating the Confederate States of America? What role did the issue of slavery play before and during the

Civil War?

NOTE: Students are to use ONLY the required textbook to complete the Major Essay Assignment. No

dictionaries, encyclopedias, dot.coms, or other online resources are required or allowed.

The required textbook for this course is full of useful primary historical documents, and the Instructor is also

supplementing the textbook with a wide range of primary source documents in pdf format on e-Learn for

students to use for this assignment.

Points will be deducted for any dictionary, encyclopedia, or websites. Plagiarism in any form will result in an

automatic ‘F’ for this important assignment—and a possible referral to the Dean of Students.