AP US History Summer Assignment:
Email: dombrowskim@gilbertschool.org
APUSH
Mr. Dombrowski “Mr. D”
Required Textbook: Alan Brinkley, American History: A Survey, 13th Edition
(this is the same text as students used last year, feel free to buy new, or used).
Read first: Before you sit down and spend a chunk of time you could have spent in front of the TV or at
the beach, please consider the following: The class you have signed up for is intended to be a college level
course. Because of that fact, we have certain expectations for you. First, and most importantly you must be
willing to read about and learn history. The textbook you will be reading is complex and you will be
expected to read it on a regular basis. If you choose to use it as a doorstop you will regret it. Second, you
will write in this class on a daily and weekly basis. You will be taught this skill along with the course
material and will be expected to improve as we go. Although, we are willing to teach you a great deal
about how to write successfully for this class, you must come in with basic skills already mastered.
Finally, please remember that this class is not the “easy” way out. I will ask quite a bit more of you than I
would a regular US history student and your ability to meet expectations will be reflected in your grade.
Thank you for your interest AP US History.
Sincerely,
Mr. Mike Dombrowski “Mr. D”
Due Date: First Day of School!
Test #1: First Friday of school!
Summer Assignment
Part One:
Read Chapters 1-4 in American History: A Survey. Consider taking notes as you read and be prepared to
review this material in preparation for your first exam. Your first exam, covering this material will take
place at the end of the second week of school.
Part Two:
Using the textbook, complete an outline of colonial America (chapters 1-4) using the following
subheadings to organize your work. Please use bullet points or traditional outline format under each
heading/subheading. To receive full credit, you must prove through use of specific details that you
understand each concept being used as a subheading. Please note that the outline is arranged topically and
not chronologically according to the text.
(Due First day of class)
Early settlements
Reasons for leaving Europe
Roanoke
Chesapeake (Southern colonies)
Early problems in Jamestown
Importance of tobacco
Regional characteristics (people/economy/etc)
Conflict
Native Americans
Bacon’s Rebellion
Labor
Indentured servitude
Slavery
Southern economy (Ch.3)
New England
Plymouth
Massachusetts Bay
Characteristics of the Puritan church in New England
Puritan dissenters
Native American conflict
Northern economy (Ch.3)
Middle Colonies (founding of and key characteristics)
New York/New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Evolving British Policy
Mercantilism
Navigation Acts
Dominion of New England
Great Awakening
Enlightenment
Colonial governments and imperial policy in British North America
The French and Indian War
Part Three:
Answer the following questions in detail. Answers must reflect a complete understanding of questions
asked in order to receive full credit.
(Due First day of class)
1. European colonization has often been said to have been motivated by "gold, God, and
glory". Assess this interpretation of the motives behind the European colonization of
America. (chapter 1)
2. Discuss how Bacon's Rebellion related to the political unrest in Virginia and what
effect the Rebellion had on the development of that colony? (chapter 2)
3. In a Venn Diagram compare Indentured Servant and Slave Labor. indentured
slave
Differences
Differences
Similarities
Answer: Explain
the system of indentured servitude that developed
in the American
colonies. Why was it such an "appealing" system?
4. What was the Enlightenment and what were its key ideals? How did it differ from the
Great Awakening? Predict how it might influence colonial thought leading into the
next two decades in the colonies. (chapter 3)
5. How did imperial policy of Europe in British North America lead to the French and Indian War? (chapter
4)
Note: This assignment is representative of the type of work you will be asked to complete in AP US
History on a regular basis however, formatting of information will vary from teacher to teacher during the
school year.
Any form of plagiarism or copying is unacceptable on all AP US History assignments. Assignments
must be completed by the individual student alone.
All late assignments will receive ½ credit. No exceptions.
Part Four: Essay
This assignment is intended to immediately give you an idea of how history is studied at the college level.
The skill involved in this assignment for which mastery is absolutely necessary throughout the year is
interpretation of primary and secondary sources. Through this assignment, you will be challenged to
develop your own thesis based upon documented evidence. This assignment is a diagnostic essay to see
where you are as a writer. It does not need to be perfect, so don’t obsess over it. It is merely a baseline for
me to see who you are as a writer. Completion of this assignment will automatically earn a 100%.
1.
Were the Americas “discovered” or were they conquered?
Rubric:
A.
Thesis 0–1 point
B.
Support for argument: 0–2 points
C.
Application of targeted historical thinking skill: 0–2 points
D.
Synthesis: 0–1 point