Choose one of the following essay prompts for your midterm assessment.
• Choice #1: Compare and contrast Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence with Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense.” Which had the greater effect on revolutionary America? Are these documents still effective today?
• Choice #2: Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution. Evaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation were effective in solving the problems of the new nation. Why did the articles fail? How did the Constitution fix those problems?
Specifications:
• 3-4 pages; paper must include a thesis statement.
• Use specific examples to support your argument and cite all sources carefully.
• This is not a summary of the two primary source documents, but an analysis of their similarities, differences, and effectiveness. Make sure to show thought and analysis throughout the paper.
