- Describe the Americas before the invasion of Europeans. What was it like culturally and environmentally? Discuss how Christopher Columbus described the first people he met, and then discuss what he immediately demanded of them. In addition, discuss how the English treated the indigenous nations of the Eastern seaboard in the early 1600s. Be sure to also incorporate information you learned from week 1 video material here.
- Describe the origin of slavery in all of the Americas–that is, in the western hemisphere. Who were the first slaves? Then specifically discuss the capture of Africans. Describe what the European slave traders would do to attain them. then describe the conditions they faced on the ships to the colonies. Once here, what was life like for them? Describe.
- What is Manifest Destiny, and what consequences did it have on people of color? Explain two specific actions taken by the U.S. government that were prompted by this idea of Manifest Destiny. and then specifically discuss the ways in which the people suffered because of it. Incorporate one Voice’s of a People’s History primary source on each of the two events to support your answer (that means you need to discuss two primary sources total).
- Complicate and discuss the assertion that the Civil War was fought over slavery. What exactly does that mean? Describe the sentiment of the majority of Northern white working class men on the possibility of freeing the slaves. Why did they feel this way? What “other” civil war was happening concurrently to the official Civil War? Why does that matter, and why don’t we hear about it? Incorporate one primary source to add to your answer.