Zinn assignment

APUS History
A People’s History of the United States
Reading Assignment

Introduction: Howard Zinn is a historian and social activist who is well-known for his book A People’s History of the United States. In this book, he presents US history chronologically from various viewpoints outside the normal, accepted textbook views.

Assignment: Choose two (2) of the following chapters to read in Zinn’s book:
Ch. 6—The Intimately Oppressed
Ch. 7—As Long as Grass Grows or Water Runs
Ch. 8—We Take Nothing by Conquest, Thank God
Ch. 9—Slavery Without Submission, Emancipation Without Freedom

Each of these chapters deal with a particular group in US history, and each group experienced some degree of hardship at the hands of the US government. After reading your two chapters, you will write a review in which you will include the following:
1. A summary of Zinn’s main argument for each chapter. Try to weave the chapters together as one fluid discussion.
2. An analysis of how the two chapters are related to each other.
3. Your opinion (without using 1st person!) of Zinn’s arguments. Do you think he’s right? Do you think he’s way off? With which parts of his argument do you most and least agree?

Your review needs to be at least 4 pages long, and it must be typed using 12-point Times New Roman font with default margins. Please carefully edit and proofread reviews prior to turning them in.

Additional Information: The full text of Zinn’s book can be found here, or I will be happy to make copies for students who do not have internet access and/or who request hard copies of the chapters. Alternately, students may either purchase the book at a bookstore or check out a copy from the local library.

As always, all work must be original and your own. Papers suspected of cheating and/or plagiarism will be given a zero.



Due: December 6, 2007 at the BEGINNING of class.