Documenting United States History

112 ChApTEr 4 | an atlantiC eMpire | period three 175 4 –18 0 0

Since

Despite

Even though

Nevertheless

But

A possible thesis statement that subordinates the pursuit of natural resources

might read as follows:

Although the pursuit of natural resources was an important factor in

conflicts among the French, English, Americans, and Native Americans

[subordinate], the quest for political domination of North America proved

to be the primary source of conflict among these groups [dominant].

Notice how in this thesis, the word “Although” cues the reader that the first part

is the subordinate portion of the thesis; it depends on the second part. After the

comma, the words “primary source of conflict” tell the reader that this part of the

thesis is dominant. It is more important.

A possible thesis statement that subordinates political domination might read

as follows:

Even though political domination was the stated goal of the competing

parties in eighteenth-century North America [subordinate], the quest for

natural resources proved to be the underlying cause of all conflicts among

the French, English, Americans, and Native Americans [dominant].

In this thesis, “Even though” cues the reader that “political domination” is sub-

ordinate. The words “proved to be the underlying cause” tell the reader that un-

derneath the goal of political domination was the quest for natural resources. So

“political domination” is dependent on, or subordinate to, “natural resources.”

steP 3 Outline your response

A point-by-point comparison provides a more streamlined approach to this

prompt, as seen with the outlines below. The first is partially completed for you.

I. Thesis: Although the pursuit of natural resources was an important factor in

conflicts among the French, English, Americans, and Native Americans,

the quest for political domination of North America proved to be the

primary source of conflict among these groups.

II. Claim: The pursuit of natural resources was an important factor in

conflicts.

Evidence:

A. French/English conflict

1. French and Indian War

putting it all together 113

05_STA_2012_ch4_085-114.indd 113 26/03/15 10:11 AM