History
3-5 pages in length, meaning full text and not including title page, headers, and reference page. You must have at least one scholarly journal or book that is properly used in the text as a citation and listed on the reference page in proper MLA format. Websites are not accepted for citations!

Your assignment is to visit Sam Davis Home, Smyrna, TN
Questions to address:

How you prepared for the visit (readings, etc.)

A description of the historic site

What makes this site so historic and what are the most important aspects of the site?

Your impressions of the site: what were you most impressed by, were you surprised by what you learned, etc.

Would you recommend visiting this site to a friend—why or why not?

Why should this site continue to be preserved for future generations?

: History
Order Description
Part I. Write essays of at least one page each on THREE of the following and include a picture:
1. The Old South. Explain how the South developed as a distinct region between 1820 and 1860. Describe some of the different cultures or social classes in the region. Explain how slavery played a key role in shaping the South.

2. California Connected. Describe some of the ways California changed after becoming part of the United States. How did developments in transportation and agriculture help shape the modern state we see today? How were events in California related to events in the rest of the country? (You may use Connecting California, Sections V-VII and also the Conclusion.)

3. Political Crises. Explain some of the key events that led up to the Civil War. What social and political trends do you see behind these events? Do you think the war was the result of poor leadership, or was it due to forces that nobody could control?

4. Fighting the Civil War. Explain the advantages of the North and the South. Was the South foolish to think they could win? Examine specific events to explain your thinking.

5. Impact of the Civil War. Describe the extent of suffering, both on and off the battlefield. Describe how the war also changed the country socially and economically.

6. Reconstruction. How did the lives of African Americans change after the Civil War? In what ways was the South unchanged? Examine key events to show how Reconstruction was both a failure and a success.

7. Civil War Era: Illustrated Essay (counts as two essays). Find six pictures from the era covered in Chapters 14, 15, and 16. Discuss six key terms or questions on the handouts that relate to the pictures. Tie it all together in an essay with an introduction and a conclusion. Be very careful with this question. It is difficult.

Part II. Write essays of at least one and a half pages each on TWO of the following major themes. Use examples from various parts of the course to develop your main points. Pictures are helpful but not required on this section. I will give a little extra for people who really get into these essays.

1. Trade. Why has trade been such a hot topic throughout our history? In what ways has trade helped develop the country? In what ways has it divided Americans?

2. Diversity. In what ways does the early history of our country reflect a richness of cultures, values and lifestyles? Give examples of how Americans have respected diversity and not respected diversity. How has diversity shaped our nation?

3. Women. Describe the role of women in various time periods. What major changes do you see? What events or changes in society had the most impact on women?

4. Politics. Describe how Americans have debated political issues in various time periods. Which era do you think had the liveliest political discourse? How are we similar today?

5. Values. What values do you see as particularly important in early America? Did these values develop from religion? Were they shaped by economic or social factors? Give examples of how Americans have pursued an idealistic vision in various time periods.

6. Freedom. What does freedom mean? How was it won and does it come at the expense of others? Give specific examples of economic, social, and political events that made freedom possible from the history that we have learned throughout the course. (Do not use the first person on this essay)

Extra Essay Option: You may do an extra essay for extra credit. The extra essay may be from Part I or Part II. If done well, an extra essay is worth about three extra points.

Extra Points: You can also earn some extra on if your writing is excellent with clear thesis/arguments and good conclusions.