History

For this assignment, you must read Chapter four, “A Nation of Law, 1776-89,” in Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen’s A Patriot’s History of the United States. You must contrast this chapter with Chapter five, “A Kind of Revolution,” in Zinn, which you had to read earlier this week. Both Zinn and Schweikart discuss the creation of an American nation-state after the Revolutionary War and they have different views on the kind of society that was created. One argues that it was “A Nation of Law” while the other argues it left the basic problems (social and racial injustice) fundamentally untouched. Based on these readings, answer the following questions:

1. Compare, contrast, and criticize Zinn and Schweikart’s basic positions on the U.S. Constitution and the men who created it. This part should be around two pages long.

2. Explain your position on this issue. What do you think of the Founders of the American Revolution? Were they selfish or unselfish characters? Did they act in a socially responsible manner or not? (You must use materials from the books and the lectures to provide evidence in support of your position. Please provide page numbers: because we all use the same textbooks, a citation that reads (Zinn, p. 12) or (Schweikart, p. 12) is enough. Do NOT use internet sources!!!) This part should be at least one page long, but feel free to write more.

3. Despite the great differences in time and context, can the post-Revolutionary period in American history and the debate over the U.S. Constitution give us any insights on things that are currently happening in various countries around the world today, including the Middle East? This section, also, should be at least one page long, but feel free to go crazy and write up to three more pages.

4. Of course, you must begin your paper with a short paragraph which includes a thesis statement (a one-sentence statement in which you clarify your answer to the basic question. For information on how to write a good thesis statement, click on the following link: http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Handouts-Guides/Handouts-(Get-It-Written)/Brainstorming-Planning/Finding-the-Thesis ). You must also conclude your paper with a single, brief paragraph.

Your paper has to be typed, at least four full pages long (double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with 1-inch margins). Any tinkering with these requirements to make the paper appear longer than it really is will cost you points. Of course, the Aggie honor system applies, please see: https://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/RulesAndProcedures/HonorSystemRules.aspx#definitions

Because this is a longer assignment than I had in mind originally, I think that it is only fair that it should weigh more in terms of points. Therefore, I decided to double the points from twenty to forty (40) points! The due date for this paper remains Sunday March 20, 2016.

Your paper will graded based on the following four criteria (no worries, if you answer the questions thoroughly, all of these criteria will be covered):
1. Written communication: Do you explain issues adequately; do you have a clear thesis statement and argument; is your paper well-organized; does the paper pay sufficient attention to spelling, grammar, and style? (ten points)
2. Social Responsibility: You must display an understanding of both Zinn’s and Schweikart’s positions and clarify how these perspectives can offer us insights into current affairs. (ten points)
3. Personal Responsibility: You must display an understanding of ethical dimensions of the question. (ten points)
4. Critical Thinking: You must present and display a critical analysis of sources (Zinn, Schweikart, Dr. Mark’s lectures). (ten points)

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR PROMOTIONAL DISCOUNT DISPLAYED ON THE WEBSITE AND GET A DISCOUNT FOR YOUR PAPER NOW!