HIST 2020: American History II Paper II: Research Essay

HIST 2020: AMERICAN HISTORY II PAPER II: RESEARCH ESSAY This writing

This writing assignment requires the research of a topic of your choice dealing with American history in the post-Reconstruction period (i.e., 1877-present). There are two stages in writing this paper:

Paper For Above instruction

First Stage: Research Proposal

Submit a research proposal that proposes your chosen topic, timeframe, theme, rationale, and sources. The proposal must be 1-2 double-spaced pages, formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins. It should include the following sections:

  • Title of Paper: Provide a clear, concise title that expresses the main subject of the research.
  • Theme and Period: Write one sentence each about the central theme (e.g., Jim Crow, Civil Rights movement) and the historical period addressed (post-1877 to present).
  • Key Points: List three key points your paper will discuss, each in a complete sentence related to the topic and theme.
  • Rationale for Topic: State your reasons for choosing this topic in complete sentences.
  • List of References: Provide at least two sources in APA format, including at least one book and one journal article.

The proposal is graded, and only upon approval may you proceed to the final research paper.

Second Stage: Research Essay (Final Paper)

The final paper should be no more than five double-spaced pages, including the cover page and references. Use APA style, 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins. Submit electronically via e-learn dropbox.

Your paper must be organized into four sections:

  • Introduction: Identify your topic, present a thesis statement, analyze the thesis's significance, and its impact on the literature.
  • Analysis and Argument: Develop your ideas with scholarly application of historical concepts such as periodization, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and context.
  • Conclusion: Summarize key points and your thesis; avoid introducing new information.
  • References: List all sources in APA format, showing familiarity with scholarly literature. Limit quotes to two lines maximum, properly cited.

Proper organization, grammar, mechanics, and adherence to the formatting guidelines are essential. Late submissions will incur penalties, and plagiarism will result in a zero.

Paper For Above instruction

For this research paper, I have chosen to explore the Civil Rights Movement’s evolution from the 1950s through the 1970s within the broader context of African American struggles for equality post-Reconstruction. The central theme revolves around the civil rights protests, legal battles, and societal shifts that defined this period. By analyzing this movement, I aim to shed light on how grassroots activism, court rulings, and legislative reforms converged to dismantle institutional segregation and promote racial equality. The period in focus spans from the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954 to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and beyond, covering critical milestones in this era.

The three key points to be discussed include: (a) the role of grassroots activism, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, in galvanizing public support; (b) pivotal legal cases, including Brown v. Board and the Voting Rights Act, that challenged segregation and disenfranchisement; and (c) legislative achievements, especially the Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act, which institutionalized legal protections for African Americans.

My rationale for choosing this topic stems from a personal interest in understanding how collective action and legal reforms contributed to racial justice in America. The Civil Rights Movement embodies a critical turning point in U.S. history, illustrating the power of grassroots activism combined with strategic legal and political efforts to effect social change. Studying this movement offers insights into contemporary racial issues and demonstrates the importance of activism, law, and policy in shaping societal progress.

Sources for this research will include: Walton, A. (1995). America and new immigration. New York, NY: Greenwood Publishers, and Anderson, R. (1996). Industrial workers and labor unionism in the late 19th century. Journal of American History, 15(3), 5-21.

References

  • Walton, A. (1995). America and new immigration. New York, NY: Greenwood Publishers.
  • Anderson, R. (1996). Industrial workers and labor unionism in the late 19th century. Journal of American History, 15(3), 5-21.
  • Carson, C. (1995). The Civil Rights Movement: A brief history with documents. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's.
  • Branch, T. (1988). Parting the waters: America in the King years 1954-1963. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
  • Fairclough, T. (2001). To redeem the soul of America: The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Martin Luther King, Jr. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press.
  • McGuire, D. (1980). At the dark end of the street: Black women, rape, and resistance—A new history of the civil rights movement from Rosa Parks to Black Power. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
  • King, M. L. (1963). Letter from Birmingham Jail. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Selected speeches and sermons.
  • Gement, S. (1998). The Voting Rights Act of 1965: A triumph of legislation. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 23(2), 213-231.
  • Segrest, M. (1997). Memoir of a race traitor: Moving from a criminal to a civil rights advocate. New York, NY: Feminist Press.
  • Johnson, L. (2009). The long Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for racial justice. Journal of American History, 96(4), 1225-1243.

Through this paper, I intend to analyze how activism, legal strategies, and legislative reforms collectively advanced the civil rights agenda, marking a significant chapter in American history and setting the stage for ongoing racial justice efforts today.

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