Papers should be between 6-8 pages in length. Goals of the assignment are to
demonstrate that you can create a research paper based on secondary sources and
synthesize this material to present a cohesive answer to a question. Students are not
required to use primary sources, but using them is encouraged if a student feels
comfortable. Because this is a research based paper, students must demonstrate that
they can find and use GMC "library approved" secondary sources throughout the work.
The final paper requires a minimum of 5 secondary sources.
Papers do need to have a title page. However, footnotes are not required. Instead,
students need to use pagination citation throughout their papers to show how and
where they used their sources. Example: “The War of 1812 was started by America.”
(Kucsan, 2009) or (the authors last name). Now if you are using more than one article
by the same author then you need to put in the title of the article…such as (Kucsan,
2009, Consequences of the War of 1812). If you are using 2 different works with authors
of the same last name then do the following; (Kucsan, P, 2009) Just put in the first
initial.
Finally, remember that all papers need an introduction, body, and conclusion. Every
essay needs a thesis statement and the last page of your assignment should be a
reference page where you will provide your complete references in APA style like you
practiced throughout the semester.
1. In 1860 the North had specific advantages over the South that helped the Union
prepare for the war. Describe 4-5 of these advantages and show how they led to
Union victory.
2. The 1850s was a particularly tumultuous time in the United States. Choose 4-5
events, compromises, publications, or people and explain how they propelled the
United States towards the Civil War.
3. I want you to take ONE battle from the Civil War. Tell me briefly why it occurred,
what happen, and how did this battle affect the war itself. Why was it significant
to the outcome of the war?
4. Was Reconstruction a failure or a success? Explain your point of view with 4-5
examples that prove your perspective