solved After returning from his trip to the U.S. in 1831,

After returning from his trip to the U.S. in 1831, the English traveler James Boardman commented, “Nothing in America is perhaps more striking than the rapid and general diffusion of information through the community by means of newspapers” (Masur, 113). Many of those newspapers are available for us to use as primary sources in historical research. One large database of articles is Chronicling America, provided by the Library of Congress. For this essay, identify a significant topic (person, event, issue, etc.) discussed in Louis Masur’s book 1831, then use Chronicling America to find 2 or 3 articles from newspapers printed anytime in the years before the Civil War (1820 to 1860) that discuss that topic you chose. In your essay of 3-5 pages double-spaced, address the following: 
How do the historical news articles present this topic, and how do those articles compare with Louis Masur’s explanation of the topic and its significance? (Do they support his interpretation(s) or offer an alternative perspective.)

Write your essays so that someone who is not in our class can understand it clearly. This includes explaining the topic, its historical context, and the interpretations offered by Masur. Use details from 1831, the articles you found, and relevant sections of American Yawp. The grading rubric is available in the syllabus.

Include a bibliography that lists the articles that you used and cite any and all quotations from your sources using footnotes. Our course syllabus includes a link to citations guides for correct footnote format.