Advanced Placement U.S. History
More Information and Specific Study Materials are Available on the APUSH page

 

Primary Text: Out of Many, 2002, AP 3^rd Edition , John Mack Faragher, Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom and Susan H. Armitage

Supplementary Text: The Enduring Vision, 3^rd Edition, Boyer, Clark , et al (no assigned readings)

Additional Materials Supplied: Amsco AP US History Prep., Baron’s AP US History Review, Teacher created review CD containing Power Point section reviews

Expectations and Assessment: Reading is required and is essential to doing well in this course. There will be regular quizzes and tests (averaging one test per week), both announced and unannounced. These will include M/C and essay questions. There will be “take-home” assignments whose value may be counted as quizzes or tests. Additional opportunities exist for building a grade “cushion” through research  and presentations, etc. These will be explained more completely in class. Further explanation of expectations, grading philosophy, etc. may be found on the separate handout.

Self Assessment: Links to interactive self-assessment quizzes may be found in the chapter reading links on the instructor’s web-site. There are links to additional chapter related documents there as well.

Virtually all of the reading will be done outside of class.  Class time will be devoted to discussion/questions, study group preparations, assessments and presentation/lecture.  

1.             weeks one and two                               Discovery and Exploration: 1400 – 1600

 Themes: Pre-Columbian American societies

                 Exploring Cultural Conflict

Readings : Text chapters one and two

Content: First settlement in Western Hemisphere by Asian immigrants who developed a variety of technologies and life-styles as they adapted to the physical environments. Europeans do not arrive in an empty land. Native Americans are as diverse in their response to Europeans as they are in life-style. Spanish policies result in the mixing of Spanish, Indian, and African peoples that result in new community structures.

Documents:

Five Nation Confederacy Constitution (Iroquois, 15^th century),

Jesuit Missionary’s report of the Natchez Indians 1730,

European accounts of first contacts with Native Americans (several),

An Aztec account of the conquest of Mexico 1550

 

Activities: In order to help you better prepare for this college level course we will regularly refer back to these initial activities.

Introduction to Reading/Note taking systems                 

Critical Thinking: Analysis v. Summary      

Introduction to Essay writing for the AP Exam

2.             week three                            Colonial America : 1600 – 1775

Themes: Motives for colonization

            New Spain

                New France

                English Colonies

                Sectional Differences already

                Conflict and wars

Readings : Text chapter three

Content: This chapter emphasizes the European settlements of North America . The Spanish, French, and English all establish settlements that would later be sections of the United States . . Differences in economies, ideological outlooks, and events in England also accounted for differences between the British colonies in the Chesapeake , New England , and the South. The colonists of New England built the most vital communities. Various self-government systems were set up but they were not democratic. Conflicting views in England as well as rivalry with France brought an attempt at tighter centralization of control under royal authority. Native Americans tried to use differences and rivalries to keep their cultures intact and limit their rivals. A series of wars weakened Indian control east of the Appalachians .

Documents:

                John Winthrop’s “City on a Hill” 1630,

                Roger Williams New England Primer1683,

Maps: Colonies                    

                PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test

 

 

3.             week four                              Slavery and Empire 1444 -- 1700

Themes: Slave society,

                Slave Trade

                Mercantilism

Readings : Text: Chapter 4

Content: This chapter illustrates how the success of European empires was based on a system of slavery and particularly how the English benefited by the system in the Americas and at home. Just as    the English gained knowledge and skills from the Indians, colonists also were aided by the skills and agricultural knowledge of the African slaves. The hardship and suffering of slavery was buffered by the development of community among people drawn from many different West African cultures.

Documents:

                Maryland and Slave Status 1664,

                Ship’s surgeon’s commentary 1788,

                A Virginian on Slavery 1722,

                Early abolitionist on slavery 1757.

Maps: Triangular Trade Routes        

                PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis                             quiz and/or test

 

4.             week five               Cultural Development of the Colonies 1700 – 1780

Themes: Regional development,

                Impact on existing cultures

                Colonial “differences”

                 Sectionalism continues to develop

Readings : Text chapter five

Content: In this chapter the emphasis is on the number of distinct European colonial regions and new Native American ones that had developed by the 1700s. These regions (Spanish, French, English, and Indian) developed distinct forms of community life that would continue to shape American history. The maturing of these colonies brought many social and religious tensions in the 1700s. The tensions and solutions brought about much public discussion in the British colonies, which may have encouraged more political involvement on the part of ordinary people.

 

 

Documents:

                Iroquois property rights 1742,

                Female Boston Traveler 1704,

                Swede in Philadelphia 1748,

                Puritan Preacher 1775,  

                The Three Colonial Sections

Maps: Colonies by Religion, Colonial Economy            

                PPT & lecture               discussion/analysis                     quiz and/or test

 

Students who did not read Paine’s “Common Sense” during the summer, must do so now.  There is a link to it on my web-site.

 

5.             week six                From Colonies to Independence

Themes: British colonial policies

                Colonial Resistance

                Arguments pro and con

Readings : Text chapter 6

Content: This chapter covers the development of hostility between Britain and its colonies. While Britain becomes the dominant European power in North America , its very success and subsequent attempts to centralize power brought resistance from its colonists. Through many types of organizations, the colonies developed an "American" identity. This new community of interest was often encouraged by inept British actions. Eventually thirteen colonies decide to leave the empire and declare themselves independent.

Documents:

                Proclamation of 1763,

                Opposing new Taxes (asserting rights) 1764,

                Call to arms 1775

                Anglican Preacher 1775

                Colonial Exploitation (three views)   

                Political cartoons

Maps: War for Independence            

PPT & lecture       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test

 

Students who did not familiarize themselves with the US Constitution (through the first 10 amendments) during the summer are asked to do so now.  There is a link on my web-site.

 

6.             week seven            Forming a New Nation 1776 -- 1786

Themes:  American Independence ,

                Articles of Confederation

                 Political, Economic and social change

Readings : Text chapter 7

Content: This chapter covers the struggle for independence from British as well as a struggle for national identity. Americans had traditions of local autonomy and power of the states competing against the more fragile national tradition. Various groups based on class, sex, and ethnic identity also made demands. Economic dislocation added to the volatile mix. The national government under the Articles of Confederation managed to successfully gain independence and make certain reforms. Inability to solve economic problems and resulting internal rebellions would lead to a desire to strengthen the national government and create a United States .

Documents:

                Colonial Woman’s argument for Equal Rights 1776

                Ordinance of 1785               

                Territorial Governments 1787            

                 Shay’s Rebellion 1786       

PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis                             quiz and/or test

 

 

7.             week eight            Early Years 1787 – 1800

Themes: Constitutional government

Rise of political parties

cultural change

 ideological differences

Readings : Text chapter 8

Content: This chapter covers the problem of trying to blend or hold local community sentiments with national ones now that the war and the unifying factor of common enemy were gone. A new constitution was developed that was stronger nationally than the old Articles of Confederation. Washington , as the first president set many precedents for the government of the new nation. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton debated the future of the nation in their views of interpreting the new constitution. Political factions developed into Federalist and Republican Parties. Writers and artists help to develop a national culture.

Documents:

Jefferson/Hamilton 1791,

Whiskey tax 1790,

Frenchman’s essay on American Character 1882,

Call for American Language 1789.

Maps: Political USA            

PPT & lecture       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test  mini-DBQ

 

8.             week nine              An Agrarian Republic 1800 – 1824

Themes: Sectionalism/regionalism and politics

Jeffersonian Democracy

Factionalism during Wartime

 Era of God feelings

Readings : Text chapter 9,

Content: This chapter covers the growth of a mostly agrarian United States in terms of a developing economy, territorial expansion, and restatement of unity in a minor war. In each case, however, regional conflicts appeared in spite of an "Era of Good Feelings" and successful diplomatic settlements. The slavery issue returned with the lines drawn in Missouri , but conflict was averted with the Missouri Compromise

Documents:

Supreme Court (Marbury) 1804,

Supreme Court (McCulloch) 1819,

Missouri Compromise 1820,

Presidential Address 1823

Maps: Early Louisiana Territory , political compromise re. slavery             

PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis                             quiz and/or test     FRQ

 

9.             week ten                Growth of Democracy 1824 – 1840

Themes: Jacksonian Democracy,

                Cultural changes

                Central v State governments

                Sectionalism continues to grow

Readings : Text chapter 10

Content: This chapter covers the development of a number of factors that help build national unity. A strong national party system and mass participation in politics developed. As president, Andrew Jackson advanced the powers of the presidency through national appeals. Economic growth, especially in transportation, created unifying forces. Writers, artists and builders all promoted national themes in their works. Sectional differences, however, did not disappear as a force.

Documents:

Scholarly opposition to “spreading the vote” 1821,

Role of government 1824,

Senator on Nullification 1832,

 S.C. refuses the Tariff 1832,

Feminist essay 1843.

Maps: Native American movements/locations               PPT & lecture       discussion/analysis       quiz and/or test

 

10.          week eleven          The South 1780 – 1850

Themes: King Cotton,

                Social class

                Economic Sectionalism

                Political Sectionalism

                Cultural Sectionalism

Readings : Text chapter 11,

Content: This chapter covers the development and continued entrenchment of slave labor system in the South. As cotton became "king," the slavery system became even more rigid and encouraged an economic and social system quite different from the rest of the country. While the slave culture was intertwined with the white plantation and yeoman culture, slaves built and maintained a supportive culture of their own.

Documents:

                Pro-slavery novel (about) 1832,

                slave at auction 1848,

                Farm Journal 1836,

                Slave girl tells of her life 1861.

PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis                             quiz and/or test

 

11.          week twelve           The North 1790 – 1850

Themes: Development of Industry and a new social order

                Problems peculiar to Industry

                Sectional issues as noted in Chapter 11

Readings : Text chapter 12

Content: This chapter covers the way in which the North was affected by commercialization and industrialization. Instead of a society of yeoman, the North became an urbanized society of workers. In coping with the changes, the urban citizens developed certain values and attitudes that made the North markedly different from the South.

 Documents:

Boston Carpenters’ strike 1825

 Factory regulations 1825

 “Evils of Factory Life” 1845

 Responsibilities of American Women 1847

Maps: Industrial U.S. , Canal System               

PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis                             quiz and/or test      

 

12.          week thirteen       Reforms/reformers 1820 – 1850

Themes: Labor

                Urban America

                Women’s rights

                 Social Reform

                Utopianism

Readings : Text chapter 13

Content: This chapter covers the effects the Market Revolution had on American Society as well as the responses of the people to those effects. The most fundamental effects were in immigration and resulting ethnic makeup, in the growth of cities and resulting social and political unrest, and in changing working conditions that brought labor unrest. Responses to all of these changes were particularly manifested in new types of community groups that also became politicized: labor unions, big-city machines, social reform organizations, Utopian settlements, antislavery societies, and the women's rights movement. In the energetic search for continuity, social connection, and social order, Americans tried to come to terms with the new age

Documents:

                Feminists Convention 1848,

                call for black “radical action” 1829,

                Southern Belle denounces slavery 1838,

                black feminist 1851

Timeline: Women in History             

PPT & lecture       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test

 

13.          week fourteen      Territorial Expansion 1830’s – 1850’s

Themes: Westward Expansion

                 Mexican-American War

                Manifest Destiny

                Slavery and new territories

Readings : Text chapter 14

Content: This chapter covers the territorial growth of the United States . Supported by the new ideology of manifest destiny, Americans added Oregon , Texas , California and the Southwest. By both diplomacy and the war, the U.S. becomes a continental nation. Settlers followed the old pattern of initial friendliness and then hostility to the earlier peoples. Adding new territory also caused intensification of sectional hostility over extending slavery into new territory.

 Documents:

                Beginnings of Texas Revolution 1835-36,

                Manifest Destiny 1845,

                Indian Chief on differences 1854,

                Beginnings of California Gold Rush 1848

Maps: westward growth    

                PPT & lecture       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test

 

14.          week fifteen          Pre-Civil War      1848 – 1861

Themes: Slavery as Sectional Crisis

                Economic Sectionalism

                1850 Compromise

                Political Sectionalism ( Lincoln ’s election)

                National Crisis

                Southern Secession

Readings : Text chapter 15

Content: This chapter covers the split between North and South that had been slowly developing since the Missouri Compromise. Thomas Jefferson had called the question of slavery extension "a fireball in the night" and after the Mexican-American war, Ralph Waldo Emerson feared that " Mexico will poison us." Their fears were realized as people in the North and South took more rigid and determined positions. More Americans felt the issue of slavery had to be permanently settled in the 1850s and expected their political parties to reflect that. A compromise over territorial gains in 1850 failed to hold and a civil war broke out in Kansas . When Lincoln was elected in 1860, many Southerners saw him as a sectional president and some states took action by seceding from the union.

 Documents:

                North defies Fugitive Slave Law 1855

                Black Abolitionist and July 4^th 1852,

                Abolitionist death sentence 1859

                Lincoln is sworn in 1861

PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test        

 

15.          week sixteen         War Between the States    1861 – 1865

Themes: Lincoln and war mobilization

                Confederacy and “defensive war,”

                Civil War at home

Readings : Text chapter 16

Content: This chapter covers the deadliest challenge to community and identity, a civil war. Both sides began the war underestimating its seriousness, scope, and duration. Northern generals such as Grant and Sherman reorganized the advent of a more modern warfare and fought accordingly. The entire American community went to war, except ironically, the southern planter elite. As American men and women served in the military or in many community-support organizations or fled to the Union lines, their lives were changed. The North's advantage of population and industry made it only a matter of time before they achieved victory. Lincoln prepared a generous reconstruction plan that he hoped would rebuild a sense of union and loyalty. Lee's surrender in April of 1865 was marred by the assassination of Lincoln later that same month.

 Documents:

                Civil War Nurse 1864,

                Letter to Lincoln from English 1862,

                Lincoln ’s response 1863,

                Black Soldier’s letter to Lincoln

Maps: North/South                             discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test

 

16           week seventeen    Reconstruction    1863 – 1877

Themes: Politics of Reconstruction

                Impeachment

                 Southern Politics and social change

                Northern “Opportunism”

                 Northern Change

Readings : Text chapter 17

Content: Reconstruction was a conflict in three areas. The first was who was to conduct it, the executive or the legislative branch. This led to political battles between Johnson and the Radical Republicans. The second area was between Radical Republicans and a white South that refused to be reconstructed. A third area of conflict was between black and white with the latter trying to diminish any gains of the former slaves by enacting black codes and by condoning groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Eventually Reconstruction would fail because the Radicals lost the will to struggle and the Republican Party became more identified with business. A disputed election in 1877 ended in a compromise that allowed Hayes to take the presidency if federal troops were withdrawn from the South.

 Documents:

                Mississippi Black Code 1865

                Frederick Douglas Speech 1865

                Sen. Bruce speech 1876

                 Sharecrop contract 1882

PPT & lecture                       discussion/analysis             quiz and/or test

 

17           week eighteen      Mid-term Exams

                Major County Exam through Reconstruction…………………….. Our own  major DBQ essay