Specifics Will Be Provided: Rubric For Use Of Primary And Se

Specifics Will Be Providedrubric Givenuse Of Primary And Secondary

Explore slavery in US history by addressing its origins in the American colonies, the realities experienced by enslaved individuals, and its role in precipitating the Civil War. Your essay should include a clear thesis statement and be supported by evidence from your textbook, primary source readings, classroom lectures, and videos. You are to write a minimum of 8-11 paragraphs: one introduction, six to nine body paragraphs, and one conclusion, with more paragraphs if needed. Each paragraph should contain 3-5 complete sentences and develop a cohesive idea.

Begin with a strong introduction that presents your thesis, outlining your argument about the significance of slavery in shaping American history and its role in the Civil War. In the body paragraphs, discuss the origins of slavery in the colonies, including economic, social, and legal factors that contributed to its development. Describe the realities of slavery—daily life, work conditions, abuse, economic impact, and social structure—drawing from primary sources such as slave narratives or legal codes, and secondary sources like scholarly analyses.

Further, analyze how slavery's expansion and the conflicting interests between free and slave states created tensions leading to conflict. Highlight at least two key conflicts or compromises, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, illustrating how they intensified sectional divisions and contributed to the Civil War. Use evidence from class materials, including videos like "Many Rivers to Cross," to deepen your discussion, citing each source appropriately in MLA format as specified.

Conclude by synthesizing how slavery's origins, realities, and political conflicts culminated in the outbreak of the Civil War, emphasizing its centrality in American history. Your essay must rely solely on the sources provided and avoid external internet sources unless pre-approved. Remember to include a works cited page listing all referenced materials.

Paper For Above instruction

The history of slavery in the United States is a profound narrative that underscores the complex intersections of economic interests, social dynamics, and political conflicts. Slavery's roots in the American colonies trace back to the early 17th century, primarily driven by the demand for labor to sustain the burgeoning plantation economy. The economic incentive to cultivate cash crops such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton led colonists to import enslaved Africans, who were forcibly taken from their homelands and subjected to brutal conditions. This traumatic origin is well documented in primary sources such as slave narratives and legal statutes that codified enslavers' rights, illustrating the brutal realities endured by enslaved individuals (US History, p. 134).

The daily lives of enslaved people were marked by rigorous labor, family separation, and systemic abuse. Enslaved persons worked long hours in the fields or as domestic laborers under harsh supervision, often subjected to physical punishment for minor infractions. Despite the immense hardships, enslaved communities developed cultural practices, resistance strategies, and kinship networks that sustained their spirits and fostered resilience. Scholars such as Jennifer L. Morgan have examined how these cultural survivals offered subtle forms of resistance against dehumanization (Created Equal). Primary sources, including slave narratives, vividly portray the brutality and resistance of enslaved peoples, providing essential insights into their experiences.

The economic significance of slavery extended beyond individual plantations; it fueled national prosperity and influenced political debates. The South's dependence on slave labor created stark economic divisions with the industrializing North, where slavery was abolitionist sentiment gaining momentum. As the nation expanded westward, disputes over whether new territories should permit slavery intensified. These conflicts culminated in pivotal compromises. For example, the Missouri Compromise of 1820 temporarily maintained balance by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30' line in the Louisiana Territory (US History, p. 152).

Similarly, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 further exacerbated sectional tensions by allowing territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty. This led to violent confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas," demonstrating how political conflicts over slavery translated into armed clashes. These conflicts revealed the fragility of national unity and set the stage for the eventual secession of Southern states. The debates surrounding these compromises underscore their pivotal role in shaping the socio-political landscape that precipitated the Civil War (Created Equal).

The role of slavery in causing the Civil War cannot be overstated. The differing economic interests, coupled with ideological conflicts over states' rights and human rights, deepened sectional divides. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, with a platform opposed to the expansion of slavery, was viewed as a threat by Southern states. Their subsequent secession and formation of the Confederacy marked the culmination of tensions rooted in slavery’s expansion and political compromises concerning its fate (Gettysburg Address). The war itself was fought over the fundamental question of whether a nation built on liberty could uphold the institution of slavery.

The abolitionist movement and the Emancipation Proclamation further exemplify how slavery's abolition became intertwined with wartime strategy and moral imperatives. Primary sources like Lincoln's speeches and abolitionist writings reveal the evolving moral stance of the nation on slavery. The Union victory ultimately abolished slavery in the United States, yet the scars and legacies of this institution lingered, influencing social and racial relations long after the war's end (Many Rivers to Cross).

In conclusion, the origins, realities, and political conflicts associated with slavery played a central role in shaping modern America. From its inception in colonial economies to its role in fostering sectional tensions and ultimately causing the Civil War, slavery's influence is profound and enduring. Understanding these historical facets reveals the depth of America's struggle with racial inequality and highlights the importance of confronting this legacy to foster ongoing societal growth (US History, p. 200).

References

• US History. (Year). Textbook Title. Publisher.
• Created Equal: William & Martha Greentree Foundation. (Year). Documentary or Video Title.
• Morgan, Jennifer L. (2010). The Scandalous Life of a Slave (or relevant scholarly work). Publisher.
• Lincoln, Abraham. (1863). The Gettysburg Address. National Archives.
• Primary source collection of slave narratives. (Year). Publisher or Archive.
• Carlson, Kelly. (2013). Slavery in the New Republic. Academic Press.
• Foner, Eric. (2010). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W.W. Norton & Company.
• McPherson, James M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Fay, Peter Ward. (2000). The Slave Trade and the Birth of American Race Relations. Cambridge University Press.
• Wilentz, Sean. (2012). The Rise of American Democracy. W.W. Norton & Company.