Assignment
Primary Document Analysis Guidelines for U.S. History
1) The Primary Document Analysis includes a set of 3 primary documents relating to the time period being covered in class. Using all of the documents provided in the set, you must write an essay based on the following guidelines.
2) For the content of your paper, you must:
a) Provide historical context/background for each document, connecting the individual accounts to the larger historical themes of the era. This portion should be at least half of the paper.
b) Answer the questions provided at the end of each document.
c) Compare the experiences and attitudes of each author.
d) Conclude with a brief personal response to the documents. (i.e. Do you agree?, Can you relate?, How do you feel?, etc.)
3) The paper should be typed, double-spaced, in a 12-point font size, with margins no more than one inch, and should be between 900-1600 words (roughly 3-5 pages) in length.
4) This assignment does not require any outside research and can be completed using the textbook and the course reader. However, outside sources (books, websites, etc.) may be used, but must be listed in a bibliography (or works cited) at the end of the essay. You will submit the paper through plagiarism checking software, so be sure to cite any and all direct quotes (no specific citation style is required).
5) All papers must be submitted through the course website and must be one of the following file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf, or .txt
6) All papers will be due by 11 PM on the date listed in the course syllabus.
2-13 Gottlieb Mittelberger, The Passage of Indentured Servants (1750)
1. Summarize the hardships of the passage from Old England to Philadelphia as they are described by the author.
2. How are the hardships of the sea exacerbated upon reaching land?
3. Describe the various possible arrangements related to the purchase of newly arrived servants from Europe.
3-13 Olaudah Equiano, The Middle Passage (1788)
1. Note the author's beliefs regarding the intent and character of his captors on board the ship. In what terms does he describe his captors? What does he assume is their purpose in capturing him?
2. How does he view the prospect of work once they reach their destination?
3. Identify and analyze the author's conclusions about the civilization of his captors based on their behavior.
4-9 J. Hector St. John Crèvecoeur, "What Is an American?" (1782)
1. Summarize the thoughts and feelings that Crevecoeur imagines must be experienced by Englishmen when they visit America.
2. How does the author describe the lifestyle and social relations of Americans?
3. In what ways is America described as a land of opportunity, especially for the poor?
4. What reasons are suggested for an American loving America much more than the country of his forefathers?
Attachment:- PRIMARY-DOCUMENT-ANALYSIS.pdf