Write an essay response for all four of the questions listed below based on your textbook, lectures, films, and class discussions. The essay responses should be double spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins. Include a thesis in each of your introductions and support that thesis with evidence from the textbook, the lectures, and in class discussions. Your essay responses must be a minimum of two full pages in length for each question, anything less will result in a loss of points. All other sources of evidence (Internet, other history books) will result in point deduction if you choose to use them. You MUST cite your sources or you will not receive credit. You must answer each part of the question.
Assignments submitted are late and will not be. plan your time accordingly to meet this deadline. Failure to complete this assignment or abide by the instruction given will result in a zero.
Do not submit four separate documents, only submit one document.
Essays will be graded according to the following general standards:
A: This is a clearly written, well-organized essay with no grammatical errors or major stylistic problems. The introduction includes insightful historical context and the thesis is original and interesting. The body of the essay supports the thesis with well-integrated and well-chosen evidence drawn from text, lecture, films, and handouts. The essay demonstrates that the student has a solid command of the course material.
B: This essay adequately addresses the assigned question or topic. The thesis may be weak or uninspired. Evidence is adequate yet lacks a complex analysis. There are a few grammatical, stylistic, and/or organization problems.
C: This essay has a weak thesis and disregards the most important and obvious evidence. It may also suffer from a combination of problems including insufficient depth of analysis, numerous grammatical errors, and poor presentation and organization. A C paper often incorporates a conversational or casual tone that is inappropriate in formal writing
D: This essay lacks a thesis and, as a result, the evidence presented does not support an argument. The essay may also demonstrate that the student has some awareness of the material, but cannot incorporate it into an argument that addresses the assigned question or topic. The essay might also lack sufficient writing skills required in a freshman college course.
F: This paper was probably written at the last minute and contains no thesis, little understanding and use of the material, insufficient or inappropriate evidence, and serious writing problems.
Questions:
1. Discuss the nature of slavery in West Africa before the beginning of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. How important was slavery to African society and to the African economy? What roles did slaves serve in African societies? How did slavery in West Africa compare with contemporaneous systems of coercive labor in Europe?
2. Discuss the nature of the Middle Passage. What were the worst aspects of the passage? Did those aspects result from malice, neglect, or were they an inevitable result of the scale of the passage? Did the capitalistic nature of the passage curb or aggravate the passage’s worst excesses?
3. Based on the development of colonial slave codes from the early seventeenth century to the early eighteenth century, to what degree were slavery and race connected in the early colonial period? Was slavery premised on racism or did slavery create racism? Use specific laws and episodes from colonial history to support your response.
4. Discuss the American Revolution’s impact on slavery. In what ways did the Revolution undermine the institution of slavery? In what ways did the Revolution help to preserve the institution? On balance, did the American Revolution do more to end or to protect the system of slavery in the new United States?
