Process Paper
How I Chose My Topic
I first got interested in the 13th Amendment when I went to see the movie “Lincoln” with my mother. I was intrigued by the obstacles that Lincoln had to overcome to accomplish abolition of slavery and end the Civil War. I decided that I wanted to investigate this fascinating topic further, so decided that it would be my National History Day topic.
How I Conducted My Research
I first checked out around ten books from my local library with topics involving things related to the 13th Amendment, such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War. I started to take notes on notecards on important things in the books. Then I decided to look for sources online. I recorded the URL for where I found a source that looked valuable to me. Though books and websites are good sources, I also wanted media. I looked on Youtube and History.com for videos that would enhance my website. When I found a video that fitted my needs, I edited out a important section of that video, and put it on my website. I also knew of a book called Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man, written by Walter Stahr. I contacted Mr. Stahr and interviewed him through email.
How I Selected My Presentation Category and Created My Project
Each of the presentation categories appealed to me, so it was a hard decision to decide which one I should pursue. In the end I decided that I was good with computers and wanted to create a website. I first brainstormed headings for my website pages and then took some basic information and put it on the pages of my website. Over time, my website evolved into a more complex and informative site.
How My Project Relates to the National History Day Theme
The 13th Amendment is a big turning point in history because of all the lives it affected: black, white, and even in the long run, women. I believe that the main lives it affected were all the black slaves. The slaves were treated horribly, and had to work dawn till dusk every day with no pay. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, and freed the slaves from their bondage. The amendment affected the white people's lives, because they then had to “Reconstruct” their nation, and debate about the 14th and 15th Amendments, which established further black freedoms. The 13th Amendment even led to the 19th Amendment, which guarantees voting rights for women. This amendment greatly affected what America is today, and therefore is a turning point in history.
I first got interested in the 13th Amendment when I went to see the movie “Lincoln” with my mother. I was intrigued by the obstacles that Lincoln had to overcome to accomplish abolition of slavery and end the Civil War. I decided that I wanted to investigate this fascinating topic further, so decided that it would be my National History Day topic.
How I Conducted My Research
I first checked out around ten books from my local library with topics involving things related to the 13th Amendment, such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War. I started to take notes on notecards on important things in the books. Then I decided to look for sources online. I recorded the URL for where I found a source that looked valuable to me. Though books and websites are good sources, I also wanted media. I looked on Youtube and History.com for videos that would enhance my website. When I found a video that fitted my needs, I edited out a important section of that video, and put it on my website. I also knew of a book called Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man, written by Walter Stahr. I contacted Mr. Stahr and interviewed him through email.
How I Selected My Presentation Category and Created My Project
Each of the presentation categories appealed to me, so it was a hard decision to decide which one I should pursue. In the end I decided that I was good with computers and wanted to create a website. I first brainstormed headings for my website pages and then took some basic information and put it on the pages of my website. Over time, my website evolved into a more complex and informative site.
How My Project Relates to the National History Day Theme
The 13th Amendment is a big turning point in history because of all the lives it affected: black, white, and even in the long run, women. I believe that the main lives it affected were all the black slaves. The slaves were treated horribly, and had to work dawn till dusk every day with no pay. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, and freed the slaves from their bondage. The amendment affected the white people's lives, because they then had to “Reconstruct” their nation, and debate about the 14th and 15th Amendments, which established further black freedoms. The 13th Amendment even led to the 19th Amendment, which guarantees voting rights for women. This amendment greatly affected what America is today, and therefore is a turning point in history.
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