The Challenges to Spanish Colonization in the Borderlands

Description

No outside sources. Sources must come from Weeks 5 and 6 lesson content pages, and assigned readings within those learning modules. A successful paper will include 4-7 sources (2 secondary source max, with the rest being primary; failure to do so will result in point deductions).

By the mid-1700’s Colonial Mexico’s borderlands (northern frontier) remained a vast region with many isolated religious and civil communities (missions, presidios/forts, and civic towns consisting of predominantly mestizo former soldiers and settlers).

Task: Examine the challenges to Spanish colonization in the borderland region and reactions.

Historical Questions:

Colonial Mexicans encountered many struggles to establish permanent settlements in the borderlands. Which struggles proved the most difficult for Colonial Mexicans in the northern frontier?

OR,

Native Americans endured many struggles due to New Spain’s colonizing efforts in the borderlands. To what extent did Native Americans resisted their colonization, or assimilated into Mexican borderland communities (made to be Spanish by adopting culture, language, etc.)?

Step 1: Choose only one of these questions. Your answer to any one of the questions will be your thesis statement. Combining these questions could result in a paper that lacks clarity and focus.

Suggested factors to consider (potential claims): Bourbon Reforms, Community and Mission Development, poor communication, warring Indian tribes, French encroachment, divisions and tension within settlements, economics, religion, goals, etc.

Step 2:

Review Argumentative Essay Rubric. In fact, keep it handy.

You will notice that the rubric reflects key components for assessment.

The Introduction, which has to include your Argument (Position)/Thesis statement. Since I urge you to take ownership of your arguments/ideas, write: I argue____________________________ because__________________________.

Writing your thesis statement in this format will help with the development of your argument. For instance, don’t just state your position. Instead, explain why you believe the way you do. Be advised that writing in first person (using ‘I’) is not always accepted in other courses, or even among other history instructors. Be advised that writing in first person (using ‘I’) is not always accepted in other courses, or even among other history instructors.

The introduction should be one paragraph; but two is the max.

2. The Body consists of your claims and evidence that support your thesis. Notice that a minimum of three claims are needed to support your thesis (prove your point). You cannot make a claim, and give only one or two explanations; that is a weak substantiation, and your argument will appear unconvincing.

A historian’s evidence includes primary sources, as well as secondary sources; but Primary Sources hold more value. Make sure that your claims are backed by specific evidence. For instance, when you refer to your sources explain what they are, or at least list the title and/or author.

Anytime you provide evidence, make sure that it lists proper citations. This is how historians prove that we are not making things up. For this class, please use Chicago Manual footnoted citations (in addition to a bibliography; remember that we need both). If you get frustrated with the footnote citations in Chicago Manual, simply fall back on the parenthetical notations that you learned in your English classes). Essentially, you will have to list the author, title and page # within parenthesis.

The body should include a minimum of three paragraphs. Essentially, there should be at least one paragraph for each claim made to support thesis.

3. The Conclusion is a re-explanation of historical argument and reasons for your conviction. The conclusion should consist of one, but no more than two paragraphs.

For a killer paper, with added sophistication- try including a counter argument before the conclusion. Then explain why this counter-argument, although valid, is not as powerful as your thesis statement. Counter arguments are usually key indicators that students have thought about their essay critically.

Try to make your prose read as smooth as possible. You can do this by PROOFREADING and running essay through Grammar and Spell Check. Also, include transition words/phrases to prevent choppy writing.

Some Common Transition Words/Phrases

Although

Even though

Though

But

Yet

However

For example

For instance

As a result

Therefore

In contrast

Likewise

Meanwhile

Indeed

In fact

Incidentally

Coincidentally

Often

Often times

In effect

Step 3:

The Conclusion is a re-explanation of historical argument and reasons for your conviction. The conclusion should consist of one, but no more than two paragraphs.
For a killer paper, with added sophistication- try including a counter argument before the conclusion. Then explain why this counter-argument, although valid, is not as powerful as your thesis statement. Counter arguments are usually key indicators that students have thought about their essay critically.

Try to make your prose read as smooth as possible. You can do this by PROOFREADING and running essay through Grammar and Spell Check. Also, include transition words/phrases to prevent choppy writing.

Some Common Transition Words/Phrases

Although

Even though

Though

But

Yet

However

For example

For instance

As a result

Therefore

In contrast

Likewise

Meanwhile

Indeed

In fact

Incidentally

Coincidentally

Often

Often times

In effect

Step 3: Write your essay using rubric and guidelines.

Specifications

a. PAPER MUST INCLUDE A BIBLIOGRAPHY (in MLA, they call this a works cited page). In addition, this paper must also include CITATIONS USING CHICAGO MANUAL/TURABIAN style format embedded in your text. We need both- footnoted citations and a bibliography Chicago Manual/Turabian Guide & Paper 2 Citation Guidelines

b. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and only 1-inch margins.

c. Paper must have a separate cover sheet. Include a title (Paper 2 is not a good title), course (HIST 2327), your name and date on this cover sheet.

d. This is a 3-5-page double-spaced paper. This excludes your title page and bibliography.

e. No outside sources. Sources must come from the readings found in weeks 5 and 6 lessons: Learning Module 5: Struggles & Accommodation in the Colonial Borderlands during Bourbon Reforms & Learning Module 6: The Making of San Antonio: Examining our local historia using the analysis of two prominent historians.

Some exceptions can be made in order to make some minor points. However, contact me first.
A successful paper will include 4-7 sources (2 secondary source max, with the rest being primary; failure to do so will result in point deductions). Need a refresher on the difference between a primary and secondary source? click here: http://research.library.gsu.edu/primaryhistory (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)
f. Contact me if you have any questions. Also, the writing lab in Red Bud Learning Center 205 is a fabulous service. You paid for this service through your tuition. http://www.alamo.edu/nvc/tutoring/writing/

g. Run through spell and grammar check.