HIS 121 – U.S. History I

Paper Assignment # 2

Instructions:  You are to write a 3-4 page paper (700-1000 words, double-spaced) on one of the topics listed below.  You should have one-inch margins on all sides.  Use either 10 or 12 point type.  Be sure to proofread and run spell check on the paper.  I will make deductions for spelling and grammatical errors.

For each of these topics, be sure that you support your argument with materials from the books.

Topics from The Classic Slave Narratives

1.      Henry Louis Gates, Jr. states on p. 2 that “the black slave’s narrative came to be a communal utterance, a collective tale, rather than merely an individual’s autobiography.”  In looking at the narratives of Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs, do you see them as representing more than themselves or simply telling their own stories?

2.      The narrative of Harriet Jacobs has often been seen as one of the most important works ever written by an African-American woman.  What elements of her story make it so special? 

Topics from The Causes of the Civil War

1.      There are six possible causes of the Civil War from the assigned readings in Kenneth Stampp’s The Causes of the Civil War.  Choose three of these causes and discuss how they helped bring about the bloodiest war in American history.  Also discuss which of these three do you see as being the most important cause of the war and why?

2.  Many people argue that slavery was the cause of the Civil War.  Yet Stampp’s book lists seven areas of disagreement that contributed to the coming of the war.  Do you agree with those who see slavery as the cause of the war or with those who see multiple reasons for the war?  Support your answer using materials from the book.

Citations:  All material (direct quote or paraphrasing) you use from one of the books, you should cite it as follows:

            From The Classic Slave Narratives (Gates, page #)

                                    or

            From Causes of the Civil War  (Stampp, page #)

Example:  In describing the aftermath of Shay’s Rebellion, George Minot states that the Massachusetts state legislature decided to offer clemency to all the rebels except for the leaders.  (Marcus, 144)