Essays and Research Papers on U.S. History

A 20 page paper describing how the Bill of Rights as originally formulated in the 18th century continues to serve us today. It discusses why Jefferson, more than many of the other Founding Fathers, felt vehemently that the Bill of Rights was a necessary addition to the Constitution; the paper then looks at the ten ...

A 5 page essay on William Galston's 'Practical Philosophy and the Bill of Rights: Perspectives on Some Contemporary Issues,' from A Culture of Rights. The essay examines what Galston calls the 'language of rights' in a historical context, showing why our understanding of rights is still incomplete today. Bibliography lists two sources.

An insightful 4 page look at how the theories of philosopher John Locke were carried over into the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 1 page paper which compares and contrasts two democratic declarations of independence, the 1776 American document drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and the Vietnamese version by Ho Chi Minh of 1945.

A 5 page essay on how the growth of industry changed American society both for the better and for the worse. Followed by commentary on the role and life of early 20th century immigrants. No Bibliography.

A 5 page essay on the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Discussed are the superstitions that surround the region as well as insight into what might have actually happened. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 4 page research paper on the book by the famous Franklin biographer Esmond Wright. This the first in a series of books which Wright has written on Franklin shows how the historian's fascination with his famous topic began. The writer discusses how Wright brings Franklin to life through his insightful prose. No additional sources ...

8 pages in length. Benjamin Franklin represented many things throughout his lifetime. Not only was he an inventor, printer and publisher, but he was also one of the instrumental parties who were present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was Franklin's intent to promote colonial unity and utilize his ...

A 6 page paper on the relationship of Ben Franklin's works and their reflection of his life. The paper concentrates on the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the work of which was to draft the Constitution of the United States, from which arose the famous quote of the certainty of death and taxes. Also ...

One of the greatest figures in American history has been Benjamin Franklin. Through his industriousness, creativity, tenacity, native intelligence and belief in himself and the people with whom he associated, was able to come from the meager beginnings of youngest son in a household of nineteen to a position of financial well being, self determination ...

A 6 page essay defining 'The American Dream' and demonstrating how Benjamin Franklin exemplified this dream. No Bibliography.

A 4 page essay defining the term 'model citizen' and then discussing how such a term adequately describes early America's great Benjamin Franklin. No Bibliography.

A 6 page paper looking at the nature of the American character as developed in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and J. Hector St. Jean de Crevecoeur's Letters from an American Farmer. The paper concludes that while ethics are at the foundation of the American spirit, the very nature of that spirit precludes slavish adherence ...

A 6 page analysis of Paine's use of imagery to argue against the mother-child argument of his opponents. The writer aruges that the imagery employed was a powerful tool for Paine and effectively made the argument that Americans were not children of the parent country, that the parent was corrupt, that the images further ...

A 5 page paper discussing the Tories and the Whigs and their part in the politics of the American Revolution. The origins of the Whig Party in the U.S. and their eventual disintegration as a political party is also discussed. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 3 page discussion of New Jersey's instrumental role in the American Revolution. The writer's describes the present-day state's unique geographic position between New York City and Philadelphia as well as the historic importance of the battle of Monmouth (central NJ) -- in which American troops successfully diverted British troops attempting to get to shore ...

A 5 page paper discussing Waterloo Village, New Jersey, as a modern-day historical and cultural site and its historical significance. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper outlines the society in which women lived during the time of the Revolutionary War in America. Dominant opinions about, standards of behavior, and expectations of American women of 18th century are presented. Bibliography included.

A 14 page comparison & contrast research paper citing the causes, actions, and results of each of these historic revolutions. The writer concludes that each war was fought for obviously different reasons and in markedly different ways. Nevertheless, the American Revolution did have some influence upon the French Revolution even though the latter would have ...

A 6 page paper discussing and comparing views of the American Revolution as portrayed by Bernard Bailyn in 'The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution' and Gordon Wood in 'The Radicalism of the American Revolution.' No additional sources cited.

An 8 page paper looking at Gordon S. Wood's nonfiction book The Radicalization of the American Revolution in terms of its key issues. The paper illustrates Wood's belief that the American Revolution differed from other wars in that it not only replaced one ruler or ruling class with another, but it transformed a society based ...

A 10 page research paper that examines how propaganda played an instrumental role in both in instigating the American Revolution and in the way it was conducted. The writer specifically examines the ways in which propaganda was used in Canada and to convince Hessian mercenaries to defect. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This is a 5 page paper that presents the political positions and philosophical reasoning for both parties in the American Revolution. It delineates the legislative Acts decreed by England in an attempt to control the political policies of the American colonists just prior to the Revolutionary War. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

In 8 pages the author discusses the role that King George III played in the rebellion of the American colonies against British rule. King George III played a major role in the American Revolution in response to their rebellion against British rule. He was determined to the restoration of imperial authority in the colonies. ...

Origins of the Enlightenment in America are explored in this 5 page paper. The ideas, events and conditions that led up to the era are discussed, in both Europe and America, with an emphasis on the latter. The American Revolution is reported as being integral to the Enlightenment and the influence of prominent figures such ...