Assignment: Modern U.S. History
Instructions for the Essay Portion
Develop a well-organized, logical response in paragraph form for each. Include as much specific information in your supporting argument as you can; specific details should come especially from material we covered in class but may also include material in the text. Do NOT rely SOLEY on the text, knowledge you had when you came into the class that we did not discuss, or use Internet sources to prepare the essay; material taken from the Internet that we have not covered EVEN IF CORRECT is not acceptable (use Internet material only for context, if at all). A good essay shows evidence of INDIVIDUAL thought; use specifics to support your argument. The essay should be entirely in your own words; there should be no necessity for citations in an exam essay (do NOT use them).
Begin with a good topic sentence. An essay should be as grammatical as possible, in paragraph form, with an introductory paragraph, body (I suggest three to five paragraphs) and conclusion. The introduction states your argument, the body provides supporting material and back-up, and the conclusion is a summary of the your argument how you have supported it. Your composition should flow logically and smoothly from point to point. There is no necessity here to be concerned about Chicago or MLA or what have you - you do not need citations, and it is best not to use them in this kind of essay, which is to be your own thoughts and reflections.
Choose ONE of the two questions below and submit them to them in the Dropbox in D2L by or on the day of the midterm.
Before writing, be sure to read the written lecture in the "Content" section of D2L that applies to the question you choose. In the case of Essay 2, use the essay entitled "Treaty of Versailles."
Essay questions
Essay I
Why did the "United States" become a singular noun after the Civil War? Briefly describe what you consider the highlights, or the most important aspects of Reconstruction. Cite one or more events that you believe most affected the future race relations in the United States. Under the circumstances (given the realities of the day), how might it have been expected to be or could have been different, considering both what was good about it and that which was unfortunate. What lesson is there in the attempt to remove Andrew Johnson from office to contemporary politics?
Essay II
Germany lost the First World War, yet many Germans felt they were treated "unjustly" by the victors. Whys? Briefly describe what struck you, or surprised you in reading of the Treaty of Versailles. What are you impressions of Wilson's role in it? Was he consistent in applying his Fourteen Points? What are your thoughts on its severity on Germany and why Germany was blamed for the war? A commonly held view is that Germans felt a good deal of resentment at the victors after the war. Why do you think that might have been, and was such a feeling, if Germans WERE resentful, justified?
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the assignment, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.