Early Colonies Summative Assessment
The process of establishing an English presence on the North American Continent involved several
important contributing factors and formative events. Among these were:
The religious motivations, goals and justifications for moving to and claiming land in the new world.
(Theme: religious societies and religious destiny.)
The reasons for the introduction of slavery, as well as its justifications and social impacts. (Theme:
racial or social injustice due to economic conditions.)
The emergence of religious hysteria in the pursuit of witches or other hidden agents out to sabotage
the emerging colonies. (Theme: hidden enemies and conspiracies.)
Conflict with native tribes and nations over trade, land, and cattle grazing. (Theme: conflict and
concepts of ownership.)
For this assessment, select one or more of the themes that affected Colonial American society in this
early period, summarize how the theme impacted early Colonial American society, and analyze how similar
factors are affecting American and Global societies today. Use the following example and the rubric on the
opposing page to complete the assignment:
In the early Colonial period, many great minds pondered the role of government and the rights
of men. While many of the Puritans who had settled in the Northern Colonies such as New England
were fond of the idea of remaining loyal to the Anglican Church and the English Crown, the impulse to
arrogate power to themselves when separated by time, distance and culture from their government
proved irresistible. The same impulse is at work today: thematically, people desire to control their own
lives.
In the Colonial Period, there was frequent conflict between the colonists and the British
Government over the treatment of colonial citizens. In a landmark case, a Colonial Governor attacked
traders whose carts were blocking his path. In the testimony from the resulting case, one of the
traders famously replied, "I am as good flesh & blood as you. I will not give way." By this, he was
making a claim that his rights as a person were equal to the governor's rights, although they were
from different backgrounds and occupied different social stations. Several hundred years later,
another man would say "I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as
such, regardless of their color." The speaker was Malcolm X, and he was a making a clear statement
about the equality that should be found in the treatment of people of different racial background. In
this way, there is a clear parallel between the growing sentiments that social background should not
make a difference in the colonial era with the conviction that race was irrelevant in the civil rights era.
The above is a partial excerpt from a full essay comparing and contrasting changes in how society
viewed social status and race in the Colonial Era and the Civil Rights Era.
Category
4 Points
Historical Evidence 3 quotes or citations
Support/Citations that demonstrate the
theme historically are
included.
3 Points
2 quotes or citations
that demonstrate the
theme historically are
included.
2 Points
1 quote or citation
that demonstrates the
theme historically is
included.
1 Point
No quotes or citations
that demonstrate the
theme historically are
included.
Historical Evidence The three historical
Interpretation
quotes are clearly
interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
The two historical
quotes are clearly
interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
One historical quote is
clearly interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
No historical quotes
are clearly interpreted
for meaning and
importance.
Modern Evidence
Support/Citations
3 quotes or citations
that demonstrate the
modern theme are
included.
2 quotes or citations
that demonstrate the
modern theme are
included.
1 quote or citation
that demonstrates the
modern theme is
included.
No quotes or citations
that demonstrate the
modern theme are
included.
Modern Evidence
Interpretation
The three modern
quotes are clearly
interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
The two modern
quotes are clearly
interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
One modern quote is
clearly interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
No modern quotes are
clearly interpreted for
meaning and
importance.
Similarities and
Differences
between Past and
Present
3 differences or
similarities between
the two eras are
clearly stated and
based upon the
quotes or citations.
There are minor errors
in spelling and
grammar. The overall
essay structure is easy
to interpret and
understand.
2 differences or
similarities between
the two eras are
clearly stated and
based upon the
quotes or citations.
There are moderate
errors in spelling and
grammar. The overall
essay structure is
possible to interpret
and understand.
1 difference or
similarity between the
two eras is clearly
stated and based upon
the quotes or
citations.
There are significant
errors in spelling and
grammar. The overall
essay structure is
difficult to interpret
and understand.
No differences or
similarities between
the two eras are
clearly stated and
based upon the
quotes or citations.
There are major errors
in spelling and
grammar. The overall
essay structure is
impossible to interpret
and understand.
Grammar, Spelling
and Structure