In this assignment, students will complete an essay, approximately 800 words in length, centered around the ways in which Mendoza’s life
provides an important window into a rapidly changing British (and Western) society during the late 18th century, the same period we have
discussed as the era of the Atlantic Revolutions. At its core, the essay will answer the question, “Should we regard Daniel Mendoza’s
values and behaviors as primarily a reflection of the values of British society in his time or as more of divergence from the general
norms of his time?” As you prepare to write your essay, you will first need to read carefully through all sections of Mendoza the Jew,
being sure to contemplate carefully the following elements as you read:
What major British cultural ideologies, beliefs, and practices shape Mendoza’s story?
What do the primary source documents produced by Mendoza himself (Docs 1.7, 1.9, 1.11, 1.13, 1.15, 2.11, 2.13, and 3.11) tell us about
Mendoza’s motives and values?
How would you describe the relationship between Mendoza and the British nation?
Your essay should be organized around a clear thesis statement responding to the core question, and the body of your essay should
incorporate your reflections on the secondary questions above. Although no outside research is required, students should be careful to
observe the ethical standards that apply to all their work and provide citations as needed.