U.S. History Mr. Goodman Name: _________________________________ Unit 2: Citing Evidence Identifying Arguments and Citations An argument is a claim or interpretation that a historian is trying prove. A citation is a quote from a primary or secondary source that a historian uses to help them prove their argument. It is a piece of textual evidence. In the passages below, write out the argument that the historian is trying to prove, highlight the citation they use to prove it, and answer any other questions. Example 1 Alonso de Zuazo believed that slaves from Africa would survive in the Caribbean climate much better than workers from Europe. In 1518, he wrote, “This is the best land in the world for Negroes, women and old men, and it is very rare that one of these people die.” What is the author of this passage trying to prove? Example 2 Bartolome de las Casas vigorously opposed the Spanish use of Native Americans as slaves. In 1528, he described it as a “sweeping plague [that] went [from Hispaniola] to San Juan, Jamaica, Cuba and the continent, spreading destruction over the whole hemisphere” (de las Casas, History of the Indies, 1528). What is the author of this passage trying to prove? Underline the parts of the quote in this passage that do not belong in the original text. 1 U.S. History Mr. Goodman Name: _________________________________ Unit 2: Citing Evidence Example 3 Adam Smith believed that, overall, the consequences of contact between the Old and New Worlds had been mostly positive. In 1776, he wrote, “The general advantages which Europe has derived from the discovery and colonization of America consist, first, in the increase of enjoyments, and, second, in the growth of its industry” (Smith, The Wealth of Nations, 1776). What is the author of this passage trying to prove? How does the author let you know where this evidence came from? Example 4 Benjamin Franklin has a talent for making bad ideas look foolish. A senator from Georgia gave a speech in the new Congress and said that slavery was really good for the slaves and that slave owners were just following the Bible. Franklin didn’t believe that for a minute, but he knew that many people never questioned what their leaders told them. In order to make fun of the senator and prove him wrong, Franklin wrote a parody – a humorous imitation – in which he took the senator’s ideas and turned them around. Franklin’s parody was a made-­‐up letter from a Muslim prince who ruled a nation where white Christians were used as slaves. According to Franklin’s imaginary prince, slavery was good for the white Christians, and the Muslim slave owners were only following their holy book, the Koran. He wrote: “Is their situation made worse by falling into our hands? No. Now they have an opportunity to learn the true religion and save their souls. They are much luckier than those who are not our slaves. Let us stop talking about how they would be better off if we ended slavery.” Source: Hakim, From Colonies to Country, 1993 5. What is the author of this passage trying to prove? 2