REQUIREMENTS:
Primary Sources:
You will need to locate at least three primary
sources and turn in the sources in order to complete the assignment. Finding
acceptable primary sources is part of the assignment. If you are unable to find
sources, you will not receive a passing grade. Therefore, if you are unable to
find adequate sources to answer one question, I would suggest you try a
different question. The good news is there are tens of thousands of primary sources
on the depression easily available on the web. A good starting point is: http://www.besthistorysites.net/USHistory_GreatDepression.shtml.
However, do not feel the need to limit yourself to the sites linked from there.
Feel free to conduct searches using Google, Yahoo, or
other search engines. For primary sources, the web sites do not need to end in
.edu, .gov, or .org.
Technical Requirements:
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Your job is to pick ONE of the questions below and write a 4-6 page
essay on it.
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The paper should be double-spaced and, of course, it should be typed.
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Do NOT use quotes over 2 lines in length.
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Place the question you have chosen at the top of the page
Secondary Sources:
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You should also use secondary sources, starting with your textbook. The
text has an entire chapter on the depression.
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You may also use other secondary sources, including web sites so long
as the sites end in .edu, .gov,
or .org.
Citing Sources:
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You must cite each of your sources. You should do so using Chicago
style. I will briefly explain this in class, but please realize that the
library now has examples of Chicago style available online from the library
website: http://www.miracosta.edu/StudentServices/Library/citationstyleguides.htm.
Thesis:
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Your essay should have a thesis. Basically, your thesis is you answer
to the question and is generally placed in the first paragraph (most often as
the last sentence in the paragraph). It should be clearly stated and obvious as
a thesis statement.
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The remaining paragraphs of your essay should be primarily focused on
supporting your thesis statement by providing evidence from primary and secondary
sources.
QUESTIONS (choose only 1):
1. In what ways did the Great
Depression affect racial minorities differently from white Americans? You may
answer this question in general terms or with one specific race in mind.
2. Who were the Okies and why did they come to California?
3. What was the cause of the
Great Depression?
4. Choose one New Deal program.
In what ways was this program intended to help people? Was it successful?
5. What role did Eleanor
Roosevelt play in shaping the New Deal?