History Question

This assignment assesses LO Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Purpose (Why We’re Doing This)

This essay helps you practice the skills historians use: making arguments, analyzing sources, and connecting past events to bigger themes. By writing it, youll:

• Strengthen critical thinking by weighing different kinds of evidence, identifying strengths and weaknesses in arguments, and drawing logical conclusions.

• Practice persuasion by crafting a thesis and supporting it with reasoning and evidence to convince your reader of your position.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the major debates and changes in U.S. history from 18201860, especially around national unity and division through intercultural competence.

• Build transferable skills in research, analysis, and clear communication.

In short, this assignment asks you to apply your knowledge of 18201860 to explain how rapid growth united or divided Americans by applying the skills that you have developed in the course so far.

Task (What To Do)

Write an essay that answers the following question:

To what extent did the rapid economic and territorial growth of the United States between 1820 and 1860 strengthen (or weaken) national unity?

Instructions

Your essay must:

• Be 56 pages (about 1200-1400 words) in length (double-spaced, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins).

• Use at least 3 primary sources from Modules 46.

• Draw on the course textbook (The American Yawp, Chapters 813) for background and context.

• Not use outside sources.

• Use MLA or Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) citation format, including both in-text citations and a works cited/bibliography page.

• You may not submit anything written by AI as your own work. Your analysis, argument, and final draft must be entirely your own. Think of AI as a coach or assistant, but do not load the sources into AI and ask it to analyze the contents, as it will not interpret the context correctly. It can help you think, plan, and polish, but the ideas and words you turn in must be yours.

Materials

Criteria for Success (How You’ll Be Graded)

Your essay will be evaluated on:

• Argument (Thesis & Analysis) – Clear, defensible claim that answers the question; thoughtful analysis rather than summary. Demonstrates strong critical thinking.

• Use of Evidence – Incorporates at least 3 primary sources plus the textbook; explains the significance of each source to the argument. Uses sources persuasively.

• Organization & Clarity – Demonstrates logical structure, effective topic sentences, smooth transitions.

• Citations – Correct and consistent MLA or CMS style.

• Communication – Clear, polished writing with minimal errors.

Rubric

The Rubric for this assignment is available

Extra Help

Need Citation Help? Guidance for and citation styles are available in Course Resources.