Assignment:
In the 19th century, White Americans exerted police power over African Americans in
various contexts.
Using materials from readings, lectures, and lab discussions, answer the following question:
• How did White supremacy shape policing in the 19th century?
In class, we’ve covered policing in four different contexts: antebellum Baltimore, the antebellum
southern countryside, postemancipation Baltimore, and the postemancipation South. You must address
two (2) different contexts in the 19th century.
As we’ve discussed in class, there are clear connections between policing in the distant past and the
present, which you may address in the paper’s introduction and/or conclusion. The body of the essay,
however, must focus on only the 19th century.
Requirements:
• 1,000-to-1,250 words
• Double-spaced, one-inch margins
• You must address two (2) different 19th
-century contexts
• You must use at least three (3) different sources (they can be from the same format)
• You must cite your sources (citation discussion and examples are on the next page)
This an argument-driven essay. You will state a clear argument at the beginning of the paper and use
the body of your essay to back up your argument. You may only use materials from class to build your
argument. Take your time with this assignment. Please be sure to keep your paper focused, clear, and
concise
Citations: Throughout your paper, you must indicate the source of your information and evidence.
Please cite your sources with the following parenthetical citations at the end of a sentence. If you cite:
• Lecture: lecture, shortened title or subject in parentheses: i.e., (lecture, Policing Intro.) or
(lecture, Incarceration)
• Article: author’s last name, shortened title: i.e., (Malka, “Why law enforcement”)
• Podcast: episode title, podcast title: i.e., (“American Police,” Throughline)
• Primary document: shortened title or description: i.e., (slave ad) or (Henry Adams)
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/08/12/why-law-enforcement-has-blind-spot-white-male-violence/
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/03/869046127/american-police
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/04/11/hunting-down-runaway-slaves-the-cruel-ads-of-andrew-jackson-and-the-master-class/