U.S. History Take Home Exam, Unit One: Colonization and American Identity
Write a two-three-page paper (500-750 words) on the prompt provided. HINT, use your unit
reading guide or daily reading guides to refresh your memory about key people, events, and
ideas that you can use in your paper.
During the colonial period, settlement and developments led to the creation of a unique
American identity.
What aspects of our American identity today were initially seen in the colonial period?
Aspects to consider are:
Capitalism/profit-seeking: the hope to improve one’s life in a material way
Individualism: the ability to better one’s life in a new land
Diversity: ethic, religious, racial, national
Freedom: religious, political, economic
Community: working for the common good
Racism: slavery, conflict with Native Americans, conflict with other nationalities
Religion: how it motivated people to build a society
Self-government: the effort to chart one’s destiny
Other?
Paragraph One: Introduction/thesis. Create interest for the reader and make clear which three
aspects of our American identity you believe had their origins in the colonial period.
Paragraph Two: Fully explain the first aspect of the American identity you believe originated in
the colonial period. Use specific historical information and examples found in William Bennett’s
America: The Last Best Hope. Explain the historical origin of that aspect AND how specifically
you see that aspect as part of our American identity today.
Paragraph Three: Fully explain the second aspect of the American identity you believe
originated in the colonial period. Use specific historical information and examples found in
William Bennett’s America: The Last Best Hope. Explain the historical origin of that aspect AND
how specifically you see that aspect as part of our American identity today.
Paragraph Four: Fully explain the third aspect of the American identity you believe originated in
the colonial period. Use specific historical information and examples found in William Bennett’s
America: The Last Best Hope. Explain the historical origin of that aspect AND how specifically
you see that aspect as part of our American identity today.
Paragraph Five: Conclusion. Recap your thesis and main points and make concluding
comments on why understanding the colonial period of American history is so important for the
understanding of our nation today