TOPIC: Analyze primary souces about The California Gold Rush
For this essay assignment in California history, you will analyze and interpret primary source historical evidence pre-1900 found through Calisphere.org and/or other instructor approved databases of primary
sources. Primary sources are the raw-stuff historians use to write history. Therefore, you will practice analyzing and interpreting primary source historical evidence. For this assignment, focus on analyzing primary source evidence only.
The topic you are writing about is the Gold Rush California. Use primary sorces from the Calisphere.org database, using ONLY primary source material pre-1900. Once you have selected your primary sources, answer the following question(s) in a five-paragraph essay format:
What do the primary sources illustrate about the changing nature of California’s social, political, and/or economic history in The Gold Rush at the time each source was produced? What historical themes are significant in your view based on the evidence? In what ways does the primary source evidence illustrate change over time during the Gold Rush California?
These are some of the primary scorces you should use to write this essay.
– Lithographs of the Gold Rush in California https://calisphere.org/item/96ab004fefcf71f18e30202b88c18afd/
– A Mining Camp Described
https://calisphere.org/item/fd0db42f4c78a85c63509cd719b8d397/
– An excerpt of a letter from Augustin Hibbard to his brother William about his early days in California and gold mining experience, September 4, 1850
https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/california-gold-rush/sources/1912
Your essay should be written in a five-paragraph essay format. That means you need a clear introduction with a thesis statement that introduces the reader to the source evidence you plan to discuss. Do not list the evidence in your introduction. You can cite the evidence fully in your footnotes or endnotes. Rather, introduce the reader to the topics & evidence you intend to discuss. You should have a minimum of THREE body paragraphs (not including the introduction and conclusion), but I encourage you to consider writing more. A well-developed body paragraph is between ½ – ¾ of a page according to the formatting requirements described below. You can organize your body paragraphs by types of source evidence or a thematic topic, e.g., religion, agriculture, gender, social structure, politics, economics, etc. The choice is yours. Be sure to include a conclusion paragraph.
You must use Chicago Manual of Style citation footnotes or endnotes. Your draft essay should be approximately three pages, typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font, New Times Roman. The word count for the draft should fall in the 1,000 – 1,250 range. Try not to exceed 1,500 words for the draft stage. Include your name and course information on a separate title page.
Your paper will be graded on the following basis:
Introductory paragraph w/thesis statement: 20 %
Three (minimum) body paragraphs: 70 %
Conclusion paragraph: 10 % Of the above categories, grammar and good writing will also be considered in determining your grade.
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