U.S. History - Essays and Exams
1999-2000

U.S. History Essays

Each 7/8 student will have two essays to complete on U.S. History, covering the time period 1600 - 1870.

U.S. History Essay No. 1
[This essay has now been completed and handed in]

Date on which the requirements for U.S. History Essay No.1 were issued: October 25th, 1999.

Latest date for completion of U.S. History Essay No.1: November 15th, 1999.

This essay will cover the period from 1600-1760.

Please remember to refer to and act upon the specific guidelines given in class!
Your essay should be between 1700-1800 words in length.
Choose from ONE of the following essay titles:

1. In reviewing the three main types of colonial government, discuss to what extent they had attained self-government prior to 1763. Explain the differences found in the 13 colonies; use specific examples to illustrate your findings.

2. Explain the major tenets of Puritanism; specifically, Predestination, Covenant of Works, Covenant of Grace and the Doctrine of Sanctification. Show in your essay how these beliefs shaped Puritan society and politics.

3. Trace the impact of the white settlers on the culture and lives of the Native population. Restrict your choice to one or two specific tribes.

4. Trace the development of the relationship between Britain and the Colonies between the years 1600-1750. Place particular emphasis on the economic and political aspects of that relationship.

U.S. History Essay No. 2

Date on which the requirements for U.S. History Essay No.2 were issued: 14th February, 2000.

Latest date for completion of U.S. History Essay No.2: 10th March, 2000.

This essay will cover the period from 1763 - 1790.

Please remember to refer to and act upon the specific guidelines given in class, especially the following:
A. The essay title must be your title.
B. Remember to tailor your answer to the essay title!
C. Refer to and use your handout or my webpage guidelines on how to write a history essay. Review the comments made about your last essay.

Your essay should be no less than 1600 words and no more than 1800.
Choose from ONE of the following essay titles:

1. "British inefficiency rather than American patriotic principles was the determining factor in Britain's loss of colonial America". Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to the period 1763 - 1783.

2. Explain the divisions in the colonies over the tax issue and presence of British soldiers in the colonies between the Loyalists and the Patriots. How were the Loyalists won over to the Patriots' cause?

3. Drawing on the Declaration of Independence, show whether or not it justified America's fight for independence. To what extent could the document be described as fallacious (i.e. false reasoning)?

4. Analyze one major campaign in the Revolutionary War and assess the leadership of both the American and British military leaders.

5. Known today as a traitor, the story of Benedict Arnold is much more complex.Trace the career of Arnold and analyze his role in the War for Independence (on both sides). Discuss the assertion that he was driven out of the Continental Army.

U.S. History Exams

Each 7/8 student will have two exams to complete on U.S. History, covering the time period 1600 - 1870.

First U.S. History Exam for Class 7/8b
[This exam was taken by students in December, 1999]

Please note: This U.S. History exam will cover the period between 1700 and 1774.

Date of the exam: Wednesday December 16th, 1999.

Total possible marks for the exam: 100

Section 1 (for 31 marks):

Geography
- physical and political maps
- paragraph on one region

Section 2 (for 20 marks):

Vocabulary and terminology (about 10 words)

Section 3 (for 9 marks):

Chronology - dates and Acts

Section 4 (for 20 marks):

The colonies - paragraph on five Acts

Section 5 (for 20 marks):

A mini-essay from ONE of these three Titles:

(1) History of witchcraft and Salem
(2) Colonial society in the 1700s
(3) Opposition to British rule

Remember:

(a) BEFORE THE EXAM: use your time wisely. Organize a study book AND a study schedule....AND stick to it!!

(b) DURING THE EXAM: use your time wisely. Read each question CAREFULLY, concentrate and answer the question that is asked. Try not to give answers that have not been asked for!!

Second U.S. History Exam for Class 7/8b

Date on which information about the second U.S. History Exam will be posted:
This information is not yet available.