How the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution–became embroiled in the most bitter and divisive controversy of the nineteenth century

The term paper provides you an opportunity to examine in more depth how the two most influential texts in American history–the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution–became embroiled in the most bitter and divisive controversy of the nineteenth century: the fight over slavery that eventually led to a bloody and cataclysmic Civil War. In this paper assignment, you will evaluate information and its sources critically and select specific information for inclusion into your paper (information literacy), assess the impact of these two seminal documents on the debate over slavery, and vice-versa (cultural and social understanding), assimilate, organize, develop, and present your own argument in formal writing (communication), and weigh evidence from both specific primary sources and the textbook and make assessments based on your reading of that evidence (critical thinking). The term paper is divided into parts, which you will complete in stages throughout the second half of the semester. Directions Part III: Term Paper Draft (15 points) Thesis should address the prompt, and demonstrate a knowledge of all eight primary sources, as well as textbook material. It should be more than a summary, but an explanation of the use of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution by pro- and anti-slavery advocates. Evidence should be provided from each document, be relevant to the prompt, and should be properly quoted and cited. Evidence from every source should be included. The most relevant contextual evidence from the textbook should be included, and the paper itself should demonstrate an understanding of 19th Century historical context. Critical analysis should be present throughout. This means that the paper is not just a summary, but explains the documents in a way that is consistent with the thesis. Citation should be present for every paraphrase, and for every quote, properly formatted. Grammar and Organization should be consistent and on par with college-level writing. The organization of the paper should make sense, and be consistent, without the author needing to explain how the paper is organized. Page length should be 4-6 double-spaced, 12-point font pages. (One inch margins all around).