Modern History Research Essay on Oppression
Budget: $10 – $30 USD
Prompt
Themes of oppression and resistance are present throughout American history. For this research paper, select a specific group that has experienced significant oppression in the United States. Then, analyze the forms of resistance they employed, examine the successes and failures of resistance, and explore what lasting impacts, both positive and negative, these struggles have had on American society.
Possible Groups to Consider:
Black Americans: Analyze the impact of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Native Americans: Explore the history of displacement, genocide, and the ongoing fight for sovereignty and land rights.
Women: Examine the history of women's suffrage, the fight for equal rights in the workplace and reproductive rights.
Immigrants: Analyze the history of immigration restrictions, xenophobia, and the ongoing struggles for immigrant rights.
LGBTQ+ individuals: Explore the history of discrimination, the fight for equal marriage rights, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
You are welcome to research any group not listed here -- these are simply suggestions.
Key Considerations for Students:
Define Oppression: Students should clearly define what they consider to be oppression in the context of their chosen group. In other words, clearly define what kinds of oppression your chosen group faced and examine the consequences of that oppression.
Analyze Forms of Resistance: This could include:
Open Resistance: Protests, boycotts, civil disobedience.
Covert Resistance: Underground movements, sabotage, cultural preservation.
Legal and Political Resistance: Lobbying, litigation, political organizing.
Cultural Resistance: Art, music, literature, religion.
Evaluate Success: Students should assess the short-term and long-term impact of the resistance efforts. Were their goals achieved? What were the unintended consequences?
Analyze Lasting Impacts: How has the history of oppression and resistance shaped American society today? What are the ongoing challenges and struggles?
Paper Requirements:
Five pages in length
12-point Times New Roman
Double spaced
Chicago Manual of Style citationsLinks to an external site.
Two primary sources (minimum)
Two secondary sources (minimum)
Bibliography
Themes of oppression and resistance are present throughout American history. For this research paper, select a specific group that has experienced significant oppression in the United States. Then, analyze the forms of resistance they employed, examine the successes and failures of resistance, and explore what lasting impacts, both positive and negative, these struggles have had on American society.
Possible Groups to Consider:
Black Americans: Analyze the impact of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the Civil Rights Movement.
Native Americans: Explore the history of displacement, genocide, and the ongoing fight for sovereignty and land rights.
Women: Examine the history of women's suffrage, the fight for equal rights in the workplace and reproductive rights.
Immigrants: Analyze the history of immigration restrictions, xenophobia, and the ongoing struggles for immigrant rights.
LGBTQ+ individuals: Explore the history of discrimination, the fight for equal marriage rights, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.
You are welcome to research any group not listed here -- these are simply suggestions.
Key Considerations for Students:
Define Oppression: Students should clearly define what they consider to be oppression in the context of their chosen group. In other words, clearly define what kinds of oppression your chosen group faced and examine the consequences of that oppression.
Analyze Forms of Resistance: This could include:
Open Resistance: Protests, boycotts, civil disobedience.
Covert Resistance: Underground movements, sabotage, cultural preservation.
Legal and Political Resistance: Lobbying, litigation, political organizing.
Cultural Resistance: Art, music, literature, religion.
Evaluate Success: Students should assess the short-term and long-term impact of the resistance efforts. Were their goals achieved? What were the unintended consequences?
Analyze Lasting Impacts: How has the history of oppression and resistance shaped American society today? What are the ongoing challenges and struggles?
Paper Requirements:
Five pages in length
12-point Times New Roman
Double spaced
Chicago Manual of Style citationsLinks to an external site.
Two primary sources (minimum)
Two secondary sources (minimum)
Bibliography