The document provides instructions for an assignment analyzing the historical Amistad incident. Students are asked to select a significant issue from the incident, develop questions about that issue, and explain why it is important. They then choose documents like maps, printed materials, personal accounts, political documents, and records that relate to answering one of the questions. The documents should come from different sources and together provide clues toward answering the question rather than a complete answer.

1. Now that we have completed viewing of the Amistad film, you will connect the historical
documents to the event to deepen your understanding of America and the attitudes that
created, fostered, and attempted to keep the Peculiar Institution alive.
_____ 1. Brainstorm several significant issues from the Amistad Incident.
_____ 2. Select an issue and pose several (5-6) significant questions related to the issue.
_____ 3. Explain why the issue is important to understand.
_____ 4. Explain why the question is significant to understanding the historical period.
_____ 5. Choose one of the questions and develop some possible approaches to answering
the question. (Remember the question cannot be so narrow that all the documents answer
the question)
_____ 6. Select 5-7 documents that (1) illustrate some aspect of the issue (2) add insight
or outside information to the issue (3) challenge or call into question traditional or usual
interpretations about the issue. Then identify the source of the documents [Text
documents cannot be longer than 200 words]
_____ 7. The documents which you select should include, but are not limited to, at least:
*one visual source (map, graph, political cartoon)
*one printed material source (can be a secondary source on your topic)
*one personal document (primary source account from person involed)
*one political document (legislation, treaty)
*one public record document (newspaper, court record)
* One additional document, The Declaration of Independence, will be needed.
_____ 8. The documents must be directly related to the question and usable in some way
to answer the question. The selected documents do not include all the information needed
to answer
the question. (The documents are like clues to help with the answer)
_____ 9. Lay out the question in DBQ essay format.