Declaration of Independence

Our students have been analyzing the Declaration of Independence, and have been looking at the work of two historians, Bernard Bailyn and Howard Zinn, who answered the question, "Why did the Founders write the Declaration of Independence?"

Now, the students will explain which historian makes a better case. In a well written paragraph,  the students will respond to this prompt:

• Contrast Bernard Bailyn and Howard Zinn's ideas about the Declaration of Independence
• Explain the main ideas of Bailyn and Zinn. Use short quotes from each historian to support your writing
• Find one example from the text of the Declaration that supports Bailyn, and 1 that supports  Zinn. Use short quotes from the text, and explain how each supports the historian
• In a short conclusion, explain which historian is correct, and why

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny was the idea in the 19th century that the destiny of the United States was to spread from the east coast to the Pacific Ocean. However, even though we look at the idea today and realize that people such as the Native American Indians and the country of Mexico might have suffered under Manifest Destiny, it was very popular at the time.

Your assignment is to write two paragraphs that answer these questions:

1. How did people at the time justify Manifest Destiny?
1. Be sure to cite at least 3 specific reasons that supported Manifest Destiny, and brief quotations  to support your ideas
2. Were their reasons legitimate? Why or why not?