Assignment: American History, Civil War Paper
Length: 8 to 10 pages.
Prompt
The institution of slavery proved a critical force in the creation and development of the United States during the first half of the long nineteenth century, and the racial elements would continue to influence American society long after slavery's abolition in 1865. It defined the states' geographical and political boundaries, shaped the society and economy of the Early Republic and Antebellum eras, and brought Americans to blows (both ideologically and militarily). It also determined along racial lines who was entitled to citizenship and liberty within the United States. For this final paper, you are asked to examine the role of slavery, race, and rights in American society during the Early Republic and Antebellum periods.
Some questions to think about in preparing your paper:
o How did slavery shape perceptions of free and unfree black persons in the United States between 1787 and 1860?
o How did these perceptions become intertwined with race?
o How did free black persons assert their claims to rights and citizenship in the United States?
o How were a free black person's rights limited, curtailed, and/or undermined?
o In what ways did black persons assert their agency (e.g. free will, personhood) in society? What means did they use to do so (i.e. courts, religion, petitions, protests, careers, etc.)? How successful were they?
o In what ways did pro-slavery advocates deny black people's agency, and undermine their claims to rights and citizenship?
o In what ways did Abolitionists and anti-slavery crusaders promote black rights? Were there limitations to this advocacy?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.