U.S. History 1301–Final Exam Essay

Dr. Melody Miyamoto Walters HIST 1301 WC1 and WC2

Spring 2017 Final Exam – Due May 8 at 11:59 PM

Choose ONE of the three options below. Be sure you write a thorough essay for a history class. You

should have a thesis sentence that answers the question being asked and states the argument that you

will make. Provide actual historical evidence as proof for your argument and pay attention to your

grammar (I need to be able to understand what you are explaining). Most students aim for a five

paragraph essay to complete this assignment; they include an introductory paragraph, a body

paragraph for each example, and a concluding paragraph. Identify which question you are

answering.

For Options 1 and 2: Historians discuss the theme of American Freedom, American Slavery as one

that accurately encapsulates the era that we studied (from the pre-Colonial era through the Civil

War). They argue that American Freedom and American Slavery are tied together– being a slave

owning country, seeing that all people were not treated as equals, made Americans love their

freedom and the idea of equality even more. This then shaped American history as various groups of

people worked to ensure or achieve their liberty and equality, with a fear and hatred of slavery being

their motivating factors.

Option 1: Provide three examples (either people, revolutions, events, etc., that differ in terms

of race, class, gender, geography or time period), that we studied which proves this thesis to be true.

Be sure your examples are from United States history, between 1607 and 1877. Make your case by

explaining the historical events of those three examples who worked to advance their freedom and

equality, and the way they support the idea of American Freedom, American Slavery working

together. This is an essay for a history class. You should have a thesis sentence, evidence, and

transitional sentences.

Option 2: Provide three examples (either people, revolutions, events, etc., that differ in terms

of race, class, gender, geography or time period), that we studied which prove this thesis to be

incorrect. Be sure your examples are from United States history, between 1607 and 1877. Make

your case by explaining the historical events of those three examples whose efforts show that the

ideas of American Freedom and American Slavery are contradictory and clashed, rather than worked

together in the formation of the United States. This is an essay for a history class. You should have a

thesis sentence, evidence, and transitional sentences.

Option 3: Discuss the textbook cover found below. Identify the man on the cover. Is he a good

choice for the textbook cover based on the theme of American Freedom and American Slavery, and

focusing on American history before 1877? Use historical evidence to make your point. If you say

yes, explain why. If you say no, explain why not. Regardless of your choice, also suggest TWO

ADDITIONAL people who deserve to be on the cover of the textbook focusing on American

history before 1877and defend your choices. This is an essay for a history class. You should have a

thesis sentence, evidence, and transitional sentences.

Submit your final exam essay to Canvas by 11:59 PM on Monday, May 8. There is no checklist

for the final exam essay.