U.S. History I

In Module 1 you have learned something about the values that motivated the European settlers in North America in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries through the year 1763. What you may have found are stories of bravery, self-reliance, persistence and innovation. What you may have also found are stories of greed, brutality and exploitation. For your first essay focus on the European settlement of two colonies in North America that became part of the foundation of U.S. political culture: Virginia and Massachusetts. The time frame of this essay is 1607 to 1763. So do not include events related to the American Revolution here. Your task in this essay is to determine what values were the most important in the building of British North America. To write this essay, first set the stage for the two colonies that you are discussing. What is the geographic area about which you are writing? What are the years about which you are writing? What are the circumstances under which the Europeans settled in this place at this time? How did Europeans organize themselves when they arrived, that is, how were they governed? This part should take about 2 paragraphs. Distinguish between Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies (which were combined in 1691; you do not have to discuss both, just indicate which one you are discussing). Next, discuss ONE specific historical event or movement in Massachusetts and ONE in Virginia in the years 1607-1763 (for a total of TWO) where you find the values of bravery, self-reliance, persistence and innovation. Indicate the time and place in which the events and movements occurred. Indicate the names of people who were involved in those events and movements. This part should take about 2 or 3 paragraphs. Next, discuss ONE specific historical events or movements in Massachusetts and ONE in Virginia in the years 1607-1763 (for a total of TWO) where you find the values of greed, brutality and exploitation. Indicate the time and place in which the events and movements occurred. Indicate the names of people who were involved in these events and movements. This part should take about 2 or 3 paragraphs. Finally to conclude, what values that you see in Massachusetts and Virginia are guiding the U.S. today as we move to address ideological division and the COVID-19 pandemic? The evidence for the essay should come from the class readings in the American Destiny book and the web links associated with this course and discussion group summaries. Please do not use evidence from any other sources. I want you to have a good working knowledge of the evidence in these sources. Please cite your sources carefully. Cite when you quote, and also when you paraphrase or summarize evidence from the source. Use direct quotes only when quoting an important historical personage or document. See the sample essay under “Information” for examples of how to cite. Do not rely on general information or only what you remember. Check your source and cite the source. You will have in-text citations from the following sources: American Destiny textbook by Carnes and Garraty: The in-text citations should be something like this (C&G 176) or (C&G 177-182) to indicate that you took evidence from page 176 in the American Destiny textbook or from pages 177 to 182 in the American Destiny textbook. Web links: The in-text citations should be something like (St Mary’s video) to indicate that you took evidence from the video on St. Mary’s City. Group discussion summaries: The in text citation should be like (Gr 2, Mod 1 sum) At the end of your essay there should be a Works Cited page in which you indicate the complete citation of all of the sources that you used in the essay. Use NoodleTools on the NECC Library web site to help you with the Works Cited page. Your essay should be about 3 – 4 pages long. Before you submit, use the checklist below to ensure that you have done a thorough job: Be sure the essay has a title Be sure you have included: Geographic description Time frame of early settlement and growth Circumstances of settlement How was the colony governed One event or movement showing positive values in Massachusetts and Virginia One event or movement showing negative values in Massachusetts and Virginia Conclusion Which values predominated? Which values are most guiding the U.S. today?