General Overview: This research project will examine the impact of exploration, movement, and colonization in the Atlantic world from a social, economic, technological, and/or political perspective. One aspect of the impact should be evaluated and traced over at least a century of activity. In conclusion, this research project will analyze the remnant of that impact that can still be evidenced today in the Americas, Africa, Caribbean, and/or Europe.
Examples: The development of new international law in relation to discoveries of European nations; The environmental or cultural impact of European or American commodities moved across the Atlantic (potatoes, sugar, grain crops, etc); The migration of different groups in the New World in specific places of settlement and their cultural legacy (which can include voluntary and involuntary migrants, ie: slaves, colonizers from differing nations, etc).
Research Objectives & Questions to be Discussed in Your Essay:
• What were the short- and long-term effects of the impact on various groups of people affected by your chosen topic?
• How did groups of people and/or societies behave prior to the impact?
• How were people and/or societies benefited and harmed by the impact (negative and positive outcomes)
• What are evidences of the legacy of this impact that can still be seen today?
• How do you feel is the best way we can both acknowledge/honor the history of these colonial impacts in our modern society?
How to proceed:
- Create your specific historical question within the broader essay topic you select.
- The examples under each essay option are by no means the only topics that you can write about, they are merely provided to help you think about how you might approach this topic. You should select your own topic, however you can choose one of the examples.
- Begin researching primary and secondary sources to gather information that support your discussion of your historical question.
- Review the paper requirements for both the research portion and the writing portion of your assignment.
- Review the grading rubric to ensure that you have met all of the paper requirements before making your submission.
