This gets discussed every cycle, but there are actually a substantial number History MA programs that offer full funding (i.e., tuition remission and TAships that provide stipends). There are threads on this site where people have compiled some lists of these, but there are more out there even beyond that. You're right that MA programs are almost exclusively used as cash-cows for departments that also have PhD programs. But there are tons of History departments that only offer terminal MAs and don't have PhD programs, meaning all their funding goes to the Masters students. It's emphasized over and over again each year on these boards that it's not in students best interests to go to un/under-funded graduate programs where they'll need to take on debt with no guaranteed job prospects. I'll never understand why people insist on continuing to apply and pay for cash-cow MA programs when there are so many funded programs out there that sometimes have trouble getting enough applicants to even fill their funding slots. To those looking at MAs for this cycle, take the time to put in the research about all the programs that are out there... your future self will thank you when its not having to pay extra loans, mine sure does!
Check out Duke. Your interests sound very similar to my own, except that I also look at social movements in an international/transnational context. In addition to faculty that fit your interests, Duke also has a Center for Documentary Studies, which has become a hub for research on and with SNCC activists.
It is indeed, and that sort of a paper sounds like a decent sample.
There are a bunch of ways to do SOPs. Some people do actually draft a custom one for each institution, but I modified the final 2 paragraphs based on the school. But your argument for your fit, along with your demonstration of ability, are the most important components.
Your stats are enough to avoid having your application binned immediately at any institution. But if I were you, I would disabuse myself of the notion that a PhD app is like a BA or MA one. Stats have very little relevance beyond a hurdle you have to clear, and the rankings of programs are mostly bullshit.
