Write A 6-8 Page Paper On A Topic Of Your Choosing From Amer
Write A 6-8 Page Paper On A Topic of Your Choosing From American History
Your Week 5 project is to write a 6-8 page paper on a topic of your choosing from American history prior to 1870. This week, you will prepare for your Week 5 project by brainstorming your topic and completing an introduction and outline.
Part 1: Topic
Be very specific and narrow. For example, the Civil War is too broad; the Battle of Gettysburg is appropriately narrow. You can select a person, an event, a cultural phenomenon, an invention, etc. For example, you might write on the religious or musical traditions of enslaved persons or the influence of the Caribbean Islands on slavery in the South. You could also choose a biography, such as a study of Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Sojourner Truth, or Frederick Douglass. The invention of the cotton gin, steam power, railroads, and the McCormick reaper are good examples of inventions you might discuss in your final project.
Submit a brief summary of your topic for approval that adheres to the following format:
- Paragraph 1: State your topic (person, place, thing, or event that happened before 1870) and explain why you’ve selected this topic.
- Paragraphs 2–3: Write two paragraphs describing the historic period during which your topic arises.
- Paragraph 4: Explain why your topic is of interest to the larger study of history.
Title your paper: Lastname_Firstname_W3_FinalProjectTopic and submit to the dropbox.
Part 2: Write an introduction and then an outline for your final project. Include a list of references that lists at least five research sources (including the course textbook). Your introduction for your final paper should explain why your topic is important in early US history.
Your introduction should go from the general to the specific. Then have a Thesis Statement or your argument which is your theme. Following your introduction and drawing from research, develop an outline for your paper. The outline should include topic sentences (headings) for body sections and subheading topics that include potential article examples to be used. Your outline will be the basis for developing a 6-8 page paper in week 5, so plan accordingly with your outline.
Finally, provide a list of at least 5 specific research sources that you will use in your final paper. You must follow APA guidelines. Remember to use supporting citations from the textbook and online lectures. (Here is a guide to help you with APA-style citations.) All facts and quotes (no more than 5% of the total paper) must have a citation. Each citation must have a reference.
Name your file: Lastname_Firstname_W3_FinalProjectOutline.
Paper For Above instruction
Throughout early American history before 1870, numerous pivotal events, inventions, and figures shaped the development of the United States. Selecting a specific, narrow focus allows for a comprehensive and detailed exploration of how particular aspects contributed to the broader historical narrative. For this project, I have chosen to examine the life and influence of Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave who became a leading abolitionist and orator in the 19th century. Douglass’s narrative exemplifies the struggle against slavery, the quest for civil rights, and the importance of education and self-empowerment in shaping American society.
Frederick Douglass emerged during a turbulent period characterized by growing sectional tensions over slavery, abolitionist movements, and evolving social and political ideologies. His life spanned significant historical phases, including the antebellum period, the Civil War, and the early Reconstruction era. Douglass’s activism intertwined with debates over emancipation, African-American civil rights, and the reform movements of the time. Understanding his background provides insight into the societal forces that fueled resistance and reform in America’s formative years.
The significance of Douglass’s story extends beyond individual ambition—it highlights the broader struggles for justice and equality that define American history. His writings and speeches challenged entrenched racial prejudices and contributed to the abolition movement, shaping public opinion and policy. Analyzing Douglass’s role reveals how personal resilience and advocacy can influence societal change and underscores the importance of literacy, education, and political engagement during this transformative period.
In this paper, I will explore the historical context in which Frederick Douglass emerged as a pivotal figure, analyze his contributions to abolition and civil rights, and assess his lasting impact on American society. This investigation will demonstrate how Douglass’s life embodied the larger American ideals of liberty, equality, and human dignity, making him an essential subject of early U.S. history.
References
- Berlin, I. (2010). Remembering slavery: African Americans talk about slavery and emancipation. The University of North Carolina Press.
- Douglass, F. (1845). Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. Anti-Slavery Office.
- Foner, E. (2010). Gateway to freedom: The hidden history of the Underground Railroad. W. W. Norton & Company.
- McPherson, J. (1988). Battle cry of freedom: The Civil War era. Oxford University Press.
- Woolf, S. J. (Ed.). (2002). The abolitionist writings of Frederick Douglass. Harvard University Press.