CLARIFICATION-FINAL PROJECT

**Garrettchi** Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:51 am

DUE DURING FINAL EXAMINATION PERIOD, WED MORNING You may turn in your preparation notes in advance. These should be typed!

Groups of 3, Powerpoint or use other media in your presentation--time limit 10 minutes!!!

Your presentation is an audiovisual essay (through power point or other media) using document-based information (documents in the packet I am sending through the email and Zinn himself or any primary sources he includes, or any other source we might have read or discussed in class) to answer the following question:
The Declaration of Independence that founded the United States was based on the premise that "all men are created equal" and that they deserve certain freedoms ("inalienable rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness"). However, throughout its history, equality and individual liberty have often proved elusive, and along with the closely related issues of Slavery and states' rights, have caused deep divisions in the country. New Births of Freedom were required to move the US along the path toward fulfilling its creed. What were these important "new births of freedom" and to what extent were they successful?

You must use Zinn + 3 additional documents (minimum).

You will be graded on your presentation and what you turn in.
PRESENTATION GRADE 70%
PREPARATION (what you turn in) 30%
This is your outline on each document (slavery, equality, indiv rights, states rights) + plus discussion notes on the additional questions on each document

See the original assignment below!
Read the documents in the New Birth of Freedom packet...check your email. It is a PDF file.
Then on each document, outline what it says about slavery, equality, individual rights, and states rights. Also make some notes on the additional questions on each document to prepare for discussion.
Begin planning your presentation! Be creative!

“NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM”

Declaration of Independence:
• On Slavery:
• On Equality:
• On Individual Rights:
• On States’ Rights:

1. According to the Declaration of Independence, when is it the right of the people or their duty to alter or abolish a government?
2. How do governments derive their power?

US Constitution and Bill of Rights

• On Slavery:
• On Equality:
• On Individual Rights:
• On States’ Rights:

1. What powers does the 10th Amendment give to the states?
2. How does the theory of nullification reconcile with the limitations of states’ rights enshrined in Article I?
3. According to the Constitution, until when was the importation of slaves permitted?
4. Under Article IV, Section 2, would the Fugitive Slave Law be constitutional? What about the Dred Scott decision?
5. Did the original Constitution (excluding amendments) address the issue of equality?

John Marshall as Chief Justice (1801-1835)

• On Slavery:
• On Equality:
• On Individual Rights:
• On States’ Rights:

1. What do you know about John Marshall, his political views, his legacy on the court, etc?
2. How does the McCulloch v. Maryland ruling expand the powers of the federal government?
3. How does the Barron v. Baltimore ruling protect individual rights, but not at the expense of states rights?

John C. Calhoun—the South Speaks

• On Slavery:
• On Equality:
• On Individual Rights:
• On States’ Rights:

1. How was the doctrine of nullification a protection of minority rights?
2. How does Calhoun reconcile slavery and the idea of freedom in America?
3. Does Calhoun believe everyone’s rights should be protected? Do all individuals possess certain inalienable rights endowed to them by their creator?

Abraham Lincoln

• On Slavery:
• On Equality:
• On Individual Rights:
• On States’ Rights:

1. Does Lincoln believe states have right to secede?
2. Why does Lincoln believe the US cannot remain divided on the slavery issue?
3. What is Lincoln’s position on slavery according to his First Inaugural Address?
4. How does Lincoln reverse himself with the Emancipation Proclamation?
5. How does Lincoln’s position on slavery evolve by the end of the Civil War (see 2nd Inaugural)?
6. Why does Lincoln believe slavery hurts the US position or credibility internationally?
7. What does Lincoln believe is the reason for America’s liberty and independence?
8. How does Lincoln justify his abuse of civil liberties in the letter to Albert Hodges?
9. How does Lincoln point out the wrongs and hypocrisy inherent in the nativism of the Know-Nothings?

Postscript

1. What does the 14th Amendment do?
2. How does the Warren Court’s abandonment of Marshall’s Barron v. Baltimore ruling expand individual rights?
3. How did the 1964 Civil Rights Act restrict state governments and protect individual civil rights?