Throughout each era in history, there have been people who have impacted the course of history. These people have been remembered and studied and are now part of the narrative of our country’s story. Many of the people that have shaped our history are less known and not studied in traditional U.S. history classes.
1. Find a gender/race/ethnic Minority person in history from the 1700s through the 2000s that have made contributions in the United States but is not studied in U.S. history courses. Investigate a person who has had a significant
influence in shaping America, but has not been amply studied.
2. Create an argument as to why you believe the person you’ve chosen should be studied in U.S. history courses. Argue the reasons why you think their contribution to America should be noted, studied and even celebrated.
ESSAY REQUIREMENTS:
a. Biographical Information
Include the person’s people group (gender, ethnic background, cultural background, etc..).
Location in the U.S.
Migration experience
Struggles (social, political, etc.)
b. Historical Context
Content should include a brief background of the person.
What were the societal context and the time period in which he/she lived in?
What was going on that was historically significant? How did he/she affect that particular era?
c. Notable Contributions to U.S. History
What did they do that was significant and why was it significant?
What area of society did they contribute to? (education, justice, poverty, law, politics, science etc…)
d. Argument articulating why this person should be studied
What ongoing legacy do they have or should they have?
How if at all, did the faith of this person influence their actions? Did their faith have anything to do with why they helped others?