Suggested Writing Topics

INDEX

1: Confederation vs. Constitution: A Comparative Study

2: Jefferson vs. Jacksonian Democracy

3. Seward's Prediction: The Irrepressible Conflict

4. Johnny Cash's 'Ragged Old Flag': Historical Reflections

5. The Battle of New Orleans: A Turning Point?

6. The Key Catalyst for the Civil War

7. James K. Polk: A One-Term Legacy

8. Decisive Battles of 1863: Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga

9. The Declaration of Independence as Propaganda

10. Colonial Policies: Spanish, English, French Empires Compared

Topic 1 Confederation vs. Constitution: A Comparative Study

Compare the Articles of Confederation with the current United States Constitution. What was it about the Articles of Confederation that caused them to be replaced after only eight years? What was it about the Constitution that has allowed it to survive for over 225 years?

GGeorge Washington Statue

Topic 2 Jeffersonian vs. Jacksonian Democracy

Discuss the similarities and differences between Jefferson Democracy and Jacksonian Democracy.

Top Andrew Jackson and bottom Thomas Jefferson

Topic 2 Jeffersonian vs. Jacksonian Democracy

Discuss the similarities and differences between Jefferson Democracy and Jacksonian Democracy.

Top Andrew Jackson and bottom Thomas Jefferson

Topic 3 Seward's Prediction: The Irrepressible Conflict

In a speech given on October 25, 1858, in Rochester, New York, New York Senator William H. Seward referred to the impending crisis in the United States that would eventually become the Civil War as "an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, and it means that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become either entirely a slave-holding nation or entirely a free-labor nation." Was Seward correct? Was the Civil War an irrepressible conflict?

Rhododendrites

CC BY-SA 4.0

William H. Seward Statue in Madison Square Park.

Topic 4 Johnny Cash's 'Ragged Old Flag': Historical Reflections

In 1974 Johnny Cash wrote a song titled "Ragged Old Flag." It is a story of the American flag and all that it has been through while symbolizing the United States. In the song, Cash mentions many historical events. Listen to the song (it is readily available on youtube) and write about the events Cash mentions. You should also mention the event or events that persuaded Cash to write this song.

Topic 5 The Battle of New Orleans: A Turning Point?

In 1999 historian Robert V. Remini wrote a book titled The Battle of New Orleans: Andrew Jackson and America's First Military Victory. In that book he described the battle as "one of the great turning points in American history." Was he correct in his assessment of the battle?

Topic 6. The Key Catalyst for the Civil War

Select one, and only one, of the following events and make an argument explaining why it was THE primary event that led ultimately to the Civil War:

• Missouri Controversy
• Nullification Crisis
• Annexation of Texas
• Compromise of 1850
• Kansas-Nebraska Act

Topic 7. James K. Polk: A One-Term Legacy

James K. Polk is generally considered to be the most effective one-term president in American history. Write an essay detailing what Polk accomplished as president.

James K. Polk

Topic 8. Decisive Battles of 1863: Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga

Union forces won three major battles in 1863: Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga. Which of those three battles was the most significant in bringing the end of the Civil War?

Union engineers on Tennessee River, 1863

Topic 9. The Declaration of Independence as Propaganda

The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States. It is the first document in which the name United States of America appears. Explain how the Declaration of Independence was a propaganda document.

John Trumbull: Declaration of Independence

Topic 10. Colonial Policies: Spanish, English, French Empires Compared

The Spanish, English and French all created extensive empires in the New World. Compare the different attitudes each exhibited concerning creating colonies, dealing with the Native Americans they encountered, and the issue of slavery.

Slaves cutting the sugar cane on the Island of Antigua, 1823