Video instuctions for completing the essay/ blog assignment
In recent months, readers of the New York Times and its magazine have encountered a version of a debate historians have long conducted, over to what degree the institution of slavery influenced the Founding of the United States. Some historians – and the New York Times’ “1619 Project” – have argued that protecting slavery was a major cause of the American Revolution and a major shaping influence on the U.S. Constitution. Others have contested those claims on various grounds. For more, see NYT article below.
Assignment:
- Read David Waldstreicher’s book "Slavery’s Constitution"
- Write a response essay addressing the following
- What is Waldstreicher’s stance in the debate outlined above? Specifically, according to him, how did slaveholders learn of their need to control the state, and how did that shape the Revolution, the drafting of the Constitution, and the ratification of the Constitution? Is his argument persuasive to you? Why or why not?
- Post response essay on or before April 4th. (To post/respond open the highlighted " # Comments" text below.
- Respond to a minimum of three of your peer's posts within the Slavery's Constitution blog on or before April 11th
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