Document Based Question
(DBQ)
Directions:
The following question is based on five documents (A, B, C, D, E & F). This question is designed to test your ability to work with historical documents by analyzing and explaining them, to create an argument the same way you did in your research paper, and finally to use those documents as evidence to support your thesis.
Historical Background & Question:
From the earliest colonial times to 1865, slavery existed in the United States. During that time, millions of men, women, and children were denied almost all basic rights. Slaves had no freedom, no power to control their own lives, no ability to protect family members from harsh treatment, no means to keep their families together. Many of the human rights that slaves were made to live without are so basic that free people often take them for granted. Using FOUR (4) of documents and your personal knowledge of the Slavery Era, respond to the following question: What was the purpose of slavery from the earliest colonial times until 1865?
DBQ Setup:
1. Introductory Paragraph (5 sentences)
• Attention Grabber. Briefly introduce the reader to the subject with some background information. o Set the Scene, Ask a Question, Use a Quote or Anecdote • Finish paragraph with a clear thesis statement that establishes the purpose of the essay.
* "Therefore, the purpose of slavery in the United States was to __________, ____________, ___________ .”
2. Body Paragraph (7-9 sentences)
• Topic Sentence (subtopic 1 from Intro)
• Evidence 1 with significance/explanation
• Analysis (relate to thesis in your OWN WORDS)
• Evidence 2 with significance/explanation
• Analysis (relate to thesis in your OWN WORDS)
3. Body Paragraph (7-9 sentences)
• Topic Sentence (subtopic 2 from Intro)
• Evidence 1 with significance/explanation
• Analysis (relate to thesis in your OWN WORDS)
• Evidence 2 with significance/explanation
•