History Paper Assignment
I. The system of slavery that developed in colonial British American and expanded after American independence was based, obviously, upon race and ideas of racial difference. Yet Takaki speaks of "hidden" origins of slavery that he contends were rooted in class. What does he mean? What evidence can be found for his argument? What evidence counters his view, and the views of others who agree with him. What do you think, and why?
II. How did ideas about "civilization" and "savagery" play a role in the colonial period and during the early history of the United States?
III. America was once described as a nation built "by stolen bodies on stolen land." This idea hints at the connection between indigenous people/Native Americans and Africans/African-Americans. To what extent are Native American and African American histories interconnected? To what extent do both histories extend to the history of American relations with Mexico?
IV. Slavery is often thought of something that was limited to the American South. How/Why is this point of view erroneous?
V. What does it mean to speak of a "racialized" class consciousness on the part of White Americans? How did ideas around race and class come together within the white/European population during the colonial and antebellum period?
VI. Why is it important to recognize and understand different African ethnicities when trying to understand the history of African Americans?
VII. How does the struggle to abolish slavery help us to understand the concepts of base and superstructure? What other examples from the colonial period and antebellum (pre-Civil War) period are helpful for grasping this concept?
VIII. In many ways, the Civil War is the central event in America's history. While the American revolution (1776-1783) created the United States, the Civil War (1861-1865) determined what kind of nation it might be. To this extent, the great African American historian W.E.B. DuBois spoke of the Civil War as the "true American Revolution." What does it mean to see the American Civil War as a revolutionary struggle? What perspective(s) does this view allow? What connections does it make possible? What, if any, are the limitations of this view?
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
1. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.