HISTORY

Essay Prompt: In a detailed, cited, and well-written essay argue whether or not you feel the Civil War was inevitable. If you are arguing the Civil War was inevitable, factually explain why nothing could have prevented it. If you are arguing the Civil War was not inevitable, factually explain how it could have been prevented. Either way, be detailed and specific in your essay. Use real issues, events, debates, and/or crises to explain your point.
Requirements
– 3 – 5+ page minimum. It may exceed five pages, but it has to be at least 3 full pages in length.
– The only source you may use is the textbook! Focus on Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 for the direct events leading to the Civil War. You may use other material from the textbook though if you wish to go back further. For instance, if you wish to talk about the origins of slavery it is fine to go back into even Chapter 1.
– Double spaced, 11 or 12pt font, full citation of sources in-text.
– Do not just give a Works Cited. You need to specifically cite the textbook in the essay when used. The simplest and most effective way is to use the chapter and section. For instance, if you were making a point about the Dred Scott Decision, you could explain the Supreme Court case and cite it with a parenthesis and chapter.section- e.g. (14.3).
– You must use at least three (3) specific and factual events, problems, crises, debates, etc. in US History to support your argument. You may use more, of course. Explain what happened and then argue why this made the Civil War inevitable or what could have changed to make the Civil War preventable.