Overview
Instructions
You will select one (1) of the topics below and fully address all the questions it contains in a 5-page research paper:
- Explore how Virginia's geography, economy, and cultural diversity have influenced its historical trajectory. Consider the role of its natural resources, strategic location, and shifting economic practices in key historical periods, such as the colonial era, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Discuss how these factors have contributed to Virginia’s distinct political, social, and cultural identity and how they have shaped its response to national events.
- Examine the economic development of Virginia, starting from its early agricultural foundations, especially the reliance on tobacco, to its role in the Civil War economy, to the Industrial Revolution, and into the modern era with technology, defense, and service industries. Discuss the impact of these shifts on Virginia's social and political structure.
- Consider Virginia’s military involvement in pivotal conflicts throughout its history, from its colonial defense during the 17th century to its role in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and both World Wars. Focus on how Virginia’s strategic importance, key military leaders, and notable battles influenced the outcome of these wars and shaped the state's and nation's military legacy.
- Analyze the political evolution of Virginia from the colonial period to the 21st century. Focus on how Virginia's political leaders and policies shaped the state’s trajectory. From the leadership of figures such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to more recent leaders like Harry Byrd and L. Douglas Wilder, how did Virginia's politics reflect and influence the broader political developments in the U.S.? Consider key moments such as Virginia’s role in the formation of the nation, its position during the Civil War, and its transformation in the post-World War II era.
The research paper must be written in current Turabian format, double-spaced in 12 pt. font, have a minimum of 5 scholarly sources (not counting the textbook or Bible), and be a minimum of 5 full pages (not counting a title page or the bibliography).
The research paper must contain a properly formatted bibliography and in-text citations (footnotes) for all direct quotations and paraphrases from your sources.
Only scholarly sources may be used for this paper, as outlined in the course syllabus. This includes the use of books, scholarly articles, and primary sources. Websites that end with .gov, .mil, or .edu are also permitted for use. A scholarly source is one that has been written by a scholar or an expert in a field of study and has been peer-reviewed and/or published. Most websites that show up with a Google search do not fall under this category. A good rule of thumb is if a website ends with .com, .org, or .net, it is a popular history source, and not a scholarly one, even if it is credible.
When you write, begin with an introduction. In it, include a brief mention of the main points you will cover in your paper. End it with a thesis statement that those main points are going to prove—the main argument in your paper that you want your reader to walk away convinced is true. Your thesis statement should mention Virginia, since your paper is about Virginia history, and it should also include some sort of phrasing that directly ties to the prompt you are responding to.
In the body of your paper, move through each of your main points, going more into depth about them and including properly cited examples that support them. Create new paragraphs for each topic you cover in each point, connecting them to your previous topic with analysis. After you finish explaining a main point, use analysis to show your reader how it supports your main thesis, then move on to the next main point and repeat the process.
The concluding paragraph should briefly recount how you used your main points to prove the thesis of the paper. It should not introduce any new points. It is your last chance to reiterate your main ideas—make the most of it!