Instructions
Do not write a hypothetical history of “what if this happened.” That is not the purpose of the Portfolio. Rather:
Research an event in US History from Early Industrialization to 1877. In brief detail describe the intent of the event, action, movement, legislation, person’s life, conflict, conquest, exploration, etc.
Analyze and explain the intended results. What was the intended results?
Then evaluate the unintended consequences that developed. Explain in detail the unintended consequences supported with primary sources, and scholarly research.
Present at least 2 unintended consequences with the primary source quotes and references to support your evaluation.
For example, the Indian Removal Act. Originally, it was designed to resolve the Indian question the U.S. had been asking since the French and Indian War. What to do with an indigenous population within the borders of a sovereign country? However, the Act had unintended and significant consequences. It divided the country. opened more lands for cotton production causing an increase in slavery, and devastated the Native American population east of the Mississippi River. It is a stain on America’s history.
Primary sources include Diaries, journals, letters, official documents, newspapers, periodicals, oral histories and interviews, maps. Primary sources are directly related to the topic. Strong academic sources include peer reviewed journal, academic papers, etc. CSU Library has organized a cite to begin your research for primary sources HST201, Module 1 – HST201 – U.S. History I (1492-1877) – LibGuides at Colorado State University-Global CampusLinks to an external site.
A note on primary sources -If it is a law or legislation, the primary sources must be in addition to the law or legislation. For example, the Emancipation Proclamation or Kansas-Nebraska Act will not count towards the primary sources. The primary sources must be about the acts/legislation at that time. For example, the Indian Removal Act is a substantial piece of government legislation. It can be included, but Davie Crockett’s condemnation of it in a letter and/or Andrew Jackson’s speech about its passage would meet the requirement for a primary source.