African-American History
Essay: Path to the Civil War
Mr. Walker’s Class
DUE: February 8th, 2010
Topic:
Was the Civil War inevitable? Why or why not?
Give 3 examples to support your answer.
Over the past 3 weeks, we have been learning, reading, and studying all of the events
that led the country to Civil War. Your job is to answer the question above and
provide examples to prove your answer true. You have plenty of examples to choose
from, so make sure you choose examples that go together.
Here is a list of some events and ideas that you might consider as part of your
answer. This is not a complete list – if you have a different example in your notes,
feel free to use it.
• Missouri Compromise
• Bleeding Kansas
• Nat Turner Rebellion
• Dred Scott Decision
• Abolitionist Movement
• John Brown
• Kansas-Nebraska Act
• Lincoln-Douglas Debates
• Election of 1860
 *Brooks – Sumner Affair
Requirements:
Length –
 You essay should be NO LESS than 1 page.
o In fact, it would be hard to answer this question in less than a page, so
don’t be surprised if your essay is more than 1 page.
 Typed on the computer is required. (Times New Roman, font 12, single
spaced – if you don’t follow this I will subtract 10 points)
Paragraphs –
 Your essay should have an introduction
o Where you turn the prompt around and answer the question (TAG it)
o You should also list the examples you will use
 3 body paragraphs
o 1 paragraph for each example
 A conclusion paragraph
o Restate the ideas from your introduction paragraph
Grading:
 This essay is worth 100 point (yes, it is equal in worth to a test grade!).
 Every day that it is late, you drop a letter grade automatically.
o Example: if your grade was a B but you turned the essay in a day late,
your grade will now be a C)
 Must be typed (see above, up to 10 points will be deducted for errors)
 Pay attention to any egregious spelling/grammatical errors (up to 10 points
will be deducted for errors)
 If you are absent Monday, you MUST have a signed note with a valid phone
number the day you return – do not “forget” your note!