Citation is very important. It doesn't matter which side you pick for the topic, just choose one that's easier
for you to write. You can choose: Yes a New South emerged and then explain but also explain why some
would believe No. Vice versa. This paper is for History Honors so no bullshitting your way through the
paper. I added my research proposal if you think it'll help.
Research Proposal:
For my research paper, I chose to explore more about how the Old South might have ended and the New
South emerged with the end of the Reconstruction Era. The specific title is “Did a ‘New South’ Emerge
Following Reconstruction?” The easiest answer would be “Yes” since most of the southern states wrote or
made changes to their constitution after Reconstruction. For example, Texas wrote its constitution right at
the end of the era. However, after reading James Tice Moore’s argument (p39-47) about how the South
never changed, it makes me wonder if the South truly changed. He argues that there was never a “New
South,” only that it was the Democratic political elite that ruled the South after the Reconstruction Era
that changed from rural traditions to more civilized and urban traditions in order for the South to adapt to
the growing businesses and commerce. He goes on to say that there was actually a “continuity of
leadership from the Old South to the New South. (p27)” My research paper will be exploring why
historians often disagree on whether there was ever a “New South”. It will elaborate more on each side of
the disagreement, but it will also attempt to establish a common ground, if it exists, between the two sides.
Sample Solution