50 pages • 1-hour read
The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West
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Essay Topics
What motivated the early pioneers to settle the Northwest Territory? Was the allure of the west based solely on idealism? What other factors—political, social, and/or economic—may have been at play?
Does the treatment of Indigenous peoples undercut David McCullough’s argument about the pioneers’ commitment to the ideals of freedom and education? Why or why not?
Why were the cultures of Indigenous peoples and the white settlers at odds? Were they mutually exclusive? Why or why not?
How significant a role did women play in the early settlement of Ohio? How does McCullough incorporate them into his account?
How does McCullough emphasize the importance and impact of the individuals in leadership roles, such as Putnam or St. Clair? How is effective leadership depicted in the text?
How did E. Cutler, S. Hildreth, and R. Putnam advance the ideals of education and anti-slavery in the Northwest Territory? Were they representative of the views of other pioneers?
To what extent does McCullough assume the perspective of the pioneers and to what extent does he attempt objectivity? How does his perspective shape his approach?
Some critics have accused McCullough of over-romanticizing the pioneers featured in the text. What makes a pioneer exemplary, in McCullough’s view? Do you believe his depiction is romanticized? Why or why not?
How did technological innovations impact life in the western settlements?
Do the observations of travelers to Ohio strengthen or weaken McCullough’s depictions of life there? Explain.
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