Directions: Respond to ONE of the prompts below, utilizing the accompanying primary documents in
addition to your knowledge.

Prompt A) Drawing on our frameworks of collective memory as well as dominant and alternative narratives of history, answer the following question. To what extent was 18th century and 19th century America a land of opportunity?
Prompt B) How might you describe the “character” or ethos of 19th century America? How does that ethos align with the supposed values and visions of the Founding Fathers and framers of the US Constitution?
Prompt C) In what ways did various struggles between the powerful and those rendered powerless inform or shape the United States and United States history in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Guidelines for Academic Integrity: You may NOT at any time use a document of notes or information that belongs to another student or consult outside internet sources.

Requirements: In your response, you should do the following:

● Introduction: Begin your essay with a brief introductory paragraph that situates the historical
context of the theme/topic.
● Thesis: Present a thesis that makes a reasonable historical claim and responds to all parts of the
question. The thesis should be the last sentence of the introduction.
● Argument Development: Develop and support a cohesive argument. Your topic sentences and
evidence should support your thesis.
● Use of the documents: Utilize the content of at least FIVE of the 8 documents to support your
thesis (They are all documents that we read and discussed throughout the semester).
● Source Analysis: Situate your argument by explaining relevant historical context, audience, purpose, perspective/point of view, or significance (why) for the documents.
● Outside evidence: Weave together support and historical evidence from our classroom inquiry
(including some from earlier time periods) in support of your argument.
● Closing statement: Restate your thesis and explain how it relates to the larger picture of American history.