Movement Unit Final Project Make Up
Background: Throughout this unit we will be looking at the movement of Europeans across the
Continent of North America and the impact that movement had on the Indigenous peoples are
living throughout North America. Throughout the unit you have been gathering evidence of
European settlement and the impact of that settlement on the Indigenous peoples. Christopher
Columbus historically has been given credit for the “discovery” of America and through the
work of Italian-American groups and the Knights of Columbus, had a national holiday named in
his honor in 1937.
Since the creation of the holiday Indigenous Tribes have felt that given Columbus’ treatment of
Indigenous peoples we should not be honoring him with a national holiday. Recently, there has
been a movement pushing for Columbus Day to be replaced with Indigenous People’s Day, to
honor the sacrifices and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples throughout United States History.
Some states have already made the switch to Indigenous People’s Day and others are
considering it.
Debate Sides:
Pro: Believe Columbus Day should be replaced with Indigenous People’s Day nationally.
Con: Believe that Columbus Day should not be replaced with Indigenous People’s Day.
Assignment: To make up the debate you will write an essay which uses the historical evidence
found in the primary sources to argue whether or not the holiday of Columbus Day should be
replaced by Indigenous People’s Day. You must also counter the arguments the other side
would make.
Introduction Paragraph: Introduce your side and arguments and state your thesis which would
be one of the debate sides.
Body Paragraph 1 and 2: state your arguments in support of your position using facts from the
primary sources you were given throughout the unit
Body Paragraph 3: Counter arguments that you think the other side would make.
Conclusion: Restate your thesis and your arguments.
Be sure to cite the primary sources in text when quoting from or summarizing them and please
submit a works cited page using MLA Format.
Grading:
You will be given a numerical grade and grades in each of the course competencies:
You will be scored on all the course competencies for this assignment as well:
Literacy: how well have you interpreted the primary and secondary source documents in your
essay.
Citizenship: are your arguments backed by historical evidence as found in the primary sources,
is your historical understanding of the events accurate
Communication: is your essay well organized and easy to understand, do you present the
information clearly. Are there spelling or grammatical errors
Research: have you used other sources to support your arguments, did you submit a works
cited page in MLA format