Advanced Placement United States History/Dual Credit HIS 108/109
Summer Assignment
2015-2016
Instructor: Michelle Tackett
Contact Information: michelle.tackett@ashland.kyschools.us
In preparation for your upcoming Advanced Placement/Dual Credit course, you will be
required to complete the following assignment.
Students and Parents please read the following information
carefully:
ALL WORK MUST BE HAND WRITTEN. DO YOUR OWN WORK.
It is essential that you do not copy this assignment from
someone else. IF TWO OR MORE STUDENT ANSWER SHEETS
HAVE IDENTICAL MATCHING ANSWERS, THESE ASSIGNMENTS
WILL BE CONSIDERED COPIED/CHEATING (even if you are the
student that did the work and allowed someone to copy it) NO
CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR COPIED/CHEATING WORK.
PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.
This class is largely about reading, so if you are tempted to not
read and get the information from someone else, I suggest that
you do not take the class. This class is designed for the student
who will take the time to read and complete the material. Class
time will be used to discuss ideas and concepts that are in the
readings and assignments. You need to be prepared to discuss
in class by taking the time at home to read and complete
assignments.
No credit will be given to assignment turned in past the due date.
I do not give extra credit on an individual basis and do not allow
for retakes on quizzes and exams.
Plagiarism as defined by Marriam-Webster means “to steal and
pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own: use
(another’s production) without crediting the sources.”
If you copy from anyone, anywhere and do not cite the
information you will get a zero on the assignment whether you
knew it was plagiarizing or not.
ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
Assignment: Required reading: FOUNDING BROTHERS, Joseph J. Ellis
This book can be purchased in paperback in most major bookstores and online
(prices ranging from $12.00-15.00 new and $0.01-5 used) or checked out at the
public library
Complete the following reading guide while reading Founding Brothers by
Joseph Ellis.
For each chapter, answer the following questions completely and cite specific,
relevant evidence from the text (including page numbers).
Questions must be answered in complete sentences. I want to
be able to check your answers without have the questions right
in front of me. That means you need to restate the questions
within your answer.
There will be a brief quiz on the book and the reading guide may be used to
answer the quiz questions. This quiz will be on the first day of the 2015-2016
school year.
READING GUIDE
INTRODUCTION: The Generation
1. Why were the major accomplishments of the Founding Brothers during the Revolution
unprecedented? (3 reasons)
2. What were the assets and liabilities of the United States in 1789? How did the liabilities
make it difficult for the Founding Brothers to build a nation under the new Constitution?
3. What distinguishes the American Revolution from most, if not all, subsequent
revolutions? Explain.
4. According to Ellis, why were the Founding Brothers successful? (He offers 4 reasons.)
5. Why does Ellis refer to the individuals as Founding Brothers NOT Founding Fathers?
6. According to Ellis, the creation of a separate American nation occurred suddenly rather
than gradually. Explain this comment.
7. What issue was discussed by the Constitutional Congress, but specifically excluded from
the final document? What does the author say was a direct result of this excluded issue?
8. How did critics of the Constitution see that document?
Chapter 1 “The Duel” July 11, 1804
9. How did the characters and the duel represent political developments of the early
republic?
10. When Ellis refers to “the supercharged political culture of the early republic,” what does
he mean?
11. Why did the Burr-Hamilton duel become legendary?
12. What position did Alexander Hamilton have in the U.S. Government? What position did
Aaron Burr have in the U.S. Government?
13. Why does Hamilton call Burr the “Catiline of America”? Provide examples that
support Hamilton’s view of Burr.
14. According to the author, whose version of the duel has persevered through history?
15. What does Ellis believe to be the main mystery about the duel?
16. According to Ellis, why did Burr go to the duel?
Chapter 2 “The Dinner” June 20, 1790
17. What political party was Hamilton considered a leader? What political party was
Jefferson considered a leader?
18. What was the main agenda item for the “dinner”?
19. What role did Madison play? Hamilton? Jefferson?
20. What was Hamilton’s plan for debt reconciliation? Why was Madison opposed to it?
21. What was offered to Madison to get him to accept the new financial plan?
22. How does the Compromise of 1790 illustrate the disagreement among the leaders of the
revolutionary era?
Chapter 3 “The Silence” February 11, 1790
23. What was the subject of petitions that were submitted to the House of Representatives on
February 11, 1790? What was written in the Constitution that directly affected this
petition?
24. Describe in detail the arguments presented by James Jackson (GA) and William
Loughton Smith (SC) in support of slavery.
25. Describe in detail the counterargument presented by John Laurance (NY) and Eldridge
Gerry (MA) in response to Jackson and Smith’s justification of slavery.
26. What were the proposals for gradual emancipation? According to Ellis, could gradual
emancipation have been feasible?
27. What was Benjamin Franklin’s role in the 1790 debate over slavery?
28. What does Ellis mean when he says that “Madison’s position on slavery captured the
essence of what might be called ‘the Virginia straddle’”?
CHAPTER 4: “The Farewell”
29. How does Benjamin Franklin’s gift to George Washington symbolize how Washington
was viewed by the nation? What evidence from Washington’s career supports this?
30. Why did Washington decide to retire? Consider private, public, and political concerns.
31. Regarding Washington’s Farewell, what was the purpose and main themes? Discuss the
advice he gives to America’s future leaders and the three most important political issues
of that time. Who do some people believe authored the Farewell letter?
32. What was Washington’s attitude toward American involvement in European conflict?
33. What were Washington’s purpose/message in the Circular Letter, Proclamation of
Neutrality, and the Address to the Cherokees?
34. Why is Jay’s Treaty considered a “landmark in the shaping of American foreign policy”?
Explain the controversy/issues surrounding the treaty including the opinions of the
parties, Jefferson, Madison, and the majority of Americans.
35. A rift developed between Jefferson and Washington. What were the issues surrounding
the rift? How does the rift reflect a greater rift amongst the revolutionary generation
(especially between Republicans and Federalists)? What impact would this have on the
nation?
CHAPTER 5: “The Collaborators”
36. Who emerged as candidates for President upon Washington’s retirement?
37. What were the strengths and weaknesses of John Adams as a presidential candidate?
38. Why didn’t Jefferson join his friend Adams in bipartisan cooperation/
39. How did Adams respond to the XYZ Affair?
40. Why did Adams negotiate a diplomatic end to the Quasi-War with France, which he
knew would alienate him from his own political party?
41. What was the primary function of the collaboration between Jefferson and Madison?
What was their response to the Alien and Sedition Acts?
Chapter 6: “The Friendship”
42. What was the significance of the “midnight judges”?
43. What were Jefferson’s misguided propositions about European affairs?
44. What started the correspondence between Abigail Adams and Jefferson?
45. What was Adams’ famous saying that allowed Adams and Jefferson to begin their
correspondence and friendship again?