U.S. History Midterm Essays

Section 4: Essay (10 points each):  Complete THREE of the essays.  Students should type or handwrite responses as three well-written short essays that are at least a paragraph each.  Refer to the rubric below for more information. 30 points total.

1. Discuss two uniquely American values and their influence on the periods of time we have studied this semester.  How have these values been honored in the actions of the American people and influences the course of U.S. history?  How and why have these values been disregarded?  Are these values being honored today?
2. Discuss the debate over Revolution.  Discuss both sides (for and against Revolution) of the debate with specific reasons and examples for both sides.  Discuss specific events and causes that led to the Revolution as well as your opinion of such events.  If you were alive during the time period, which side would you have been on and why?
3. Discuss the debate over abolition.  Define the different degrees that people were for and against abolition, naming specific supporters/opponents.  Give multiple reasons on both sides of the debate as to why people were for abolition and people were against it.  How does this debate relate to another debate or debates that we in the United States have today?
4. Discuss Manifest Destiny: Is it a good thing or not? What was it? What were some different events that were caused by it? What were the positive and negative effects of it? In what ways do you see similar ideas/events today? What are your opinions of these contemporary manifestations of Manifest Destiny?
5. Was Reconstruction successful? Provide arguments and evidence for both sides but provide an overall thesis with ample support.
6. Choose one historical person and discuss his/her impact on American history. How did that one person affect the trajectory of the United States? Give specific things that he/she said/did and explain their effects on the country’s future. Overall, was this person a positive or negative influence on the U.S.? How/Why?

RUBRIC

• 10 points =  Student clearly answers all parts of the prompt, providing multiple specific and relevant examples from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis in which an original argument is asserted), body, and conclusion.
• 9 points =  Student clearly attempts to answer all parts of the prompt, providing some specific and relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction (thesis), body, and conclusion.
• 8 points =  Student answers most parts of the prompt, providing relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 7 points =  Student attempts to answer the main part of the prompt, providing somewhat relevant evidence from his/her studies and/or observations.  Writing has a clear introduction and body.
• 1-6 points =  Student’s answer lacks clarity and/or organization discussed above.