Links to electronic copies of some readings:
Thomas Paine's "The Crisis No. 1"
Ray Raphael, "Re-examining the Revolution"
Howard Zinn, A People's History Chapters 4 and 5
Synthesis (60 points)
· The synthesis should be 4-6 paragraphs.
· It should contain a main claim (thesis statement) near the beginning (unless you are confident that your command of writing warrants breaking this norm).
· It should be organized into cohesive paragraphs that contain evidence and analysis that builds upon your main claim.
· It should be revised and proofread before posting it to your blog.
· Turn in your synthesis by sending me a link to your blog to jessicaahs11@gmail.com. Your email should have a subject that tells me what the assignment is.
Possible Synthesis Questions (choose one):
1. Why did the colonies fight a revolution against Britain? (Don’t just give an account of the events-make an interesting claim and support it.)
2. What did the American Revolution mean for the different groups that lived in America at the time? Consider focusing on one of these perspectives: rich white males, poor whites, black slaves, Indians, women.
3. What were the economic underpinnings of the American Revolution?
4. How did the rhetoric (persuasive language) of the American Revolution affect the political and/or cultural ideology that was to evolve in this nation?
5. Deconstruct the traditional narrative about the American Revolution. Examine the way that it is generally taught in school. What purpose does it serve to mythologize our move toward independence?
6. Your own idea?
Due Dates:
Monday, September 26: Please complete Declaration of Independence activity by this date.
Thursday, September 29: Ungraded seminar on the American Revolution. Come with your seminar questions on this date.
Friday, September 30: Come to class with a draft of your synthesis for peer critique.
Monday October 3: Turn in folder with all assignments, annotations, and research notes. Send me a link to your blog by email before the beginning of class.