Hist 1302 United States History I By Gene Rhea Tucker

Hist 1302united States History Iidr Gene Rhea Tuckerprimary Source An

History is based on the study of primary sources: they are history’s raw materials. Primary sources are documents and accounts that originate in the time period they discuss. Primary sources are like eyewitness accounts in a court of law. (Secondary sources are written works that reflect on earlier times. Though based on primary sources, secondary sources are like hearsay in a court of law.) Primary sources may include personal memoirs, letters, oral interviews, court records, photographs, and so forth.

Though they are written or recorded close in time to the historical event they describe, they are not necessarily “factual” or “true.” The reliability and validity of historical primary sources are open to interpretation (just like eyewitnesses in court may disagree about details and motives). Remember, all people have biases, preconceptions, and agendas. The purpose of this assignment is for you to read one of the assigned primary source documents below (the links are also on D2L) and complete a written essay that analyzes and critically assesses the document. To complete this assignment, students will: create an argument through the use of historical evidence, analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources, and analyze the effects of historical forces on this period of United States history.

Students will demonstrate their critical thinking skills, communication skills, and how they view social and personal responsibility through interpreting historical documents. Based on your chosen primary source, your essay must address the following questions and issues: ¿• Who wrote the document? Who is the intended audience of the document? ¿• What is the author attempting to illustrate or do with the document? Why was the document written? ¿• What can be learned about the culture that produced this document? What can be learned about the mentality of the author? ¿• At the time the document was written, there were different cultural groups in the United States other than the one represented by the author of the document; identify one or more of these cultural groups and explain how they might react differently to this document. ¿• Describe an ethical situation, issue, or problem presented in the document and explain how the author proposes to resolve that situation, issue, or problem. ¿• What do you think about the importance of this document to American history? Do you agree or disagree with the author? Explain. You may answer these questions in an essay format in any fashion you see fit, remembering to use proper forms of writing such as good grammar and spelling, clear expression, and logical organization. You may quote from your chosen primary source without using citations (I will know what you’re quoting). To help you interpret the document, you MUST consult at least two other books, secondary sources, for this paper (you may cite more).

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires an in-depth analysis of a primary source document related to American history. Students are asked to select one of the provided primary sources, such as “The Growth of Cities in Nineteenth Century America” by Adna Ferrin Weber or “The Call to Negro America to March on Washington” by A. Philip Randolph. After choosing a document, students must critically analyze its context, purpose, author, and audience. They should interpret what the document reveals about the culture, societal norms, and perspectives of its time, as well as consider how other cultural groups might perceive it differently.

The essay should include a discussion of the ethical issues presented, along with the author’s proposed resolutions. Students need to evaluate the significance of the document within the broader scope of American history and express their own position regarding the author’s viewpoints. The paper must demonstrate critical thinking and clear, organized writing, supported by at least two secondary sources—books that provide context and deeper insight into the primary source.

Writing style should adhere to academic standards: 800+ words, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with proper citations for secondary sources. You should include a bibliography or works cited list, properly formatted according to MLA, APA, or Chicago styles. Original quotations from the primary source may not require citations, but any ideas or information from secondary sources must be cited appropriately.

This assignment aims to develop your ability to analyze historical documents, recognize biases and perspectives, and articulate well-supported arguments about significant moments and themes in U.S. history. It assesses your critical thinking, writing skills, and understanding of social and historical contexts. Submit your paper in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format by the due date via D2L Dropbox under “Primary Source Analysis.”

References

  • Foner, Eric. _Give Me Liberty!: An American History_. W.W. Norton & Company, 2017.
  • McDougall, Walter A. _Freedom by Degrees: The Meaning of Race in the Anglo-American World_. Harvard University Press, 2005.
  • Deloria, Vine Jr. _God Is Red: A Native View of Religion_. Fulcrum Publishing, 2003.
  • McPherson, James M. _Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era_. Oxford University Press, 1988.
  • Wilentz, Sean. _The Age of Reagan: A History, 1974-2008_. HarperCollins, 2008.
  • Meier, August, and John W. Blassingame, eds. _Black Americans: A Documentary History_. Oxford University Press, 1970.
  • Horsman, Reginald. _Race and Manifest Destiny: The Origins of American Racial Anglo-Saxonism_. Harvard University Press, 1981.
  • Curtis, Edward E. _The Politics of Race and the History of Segregation_. Routledge, 2014.
  • Larson, Edward J. _In the Garden of the Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin_. Penguin Books, 2011.
  • Scheiber, Laura. _Strangers in the Land: Patterns of American Nativism, 1850-1925_. University of Illinois Press, 1991.

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