AP American Studies/US History
Chapter 7 and 8 Syllabus
The War for America 1775-1783 and Building a Republic 1775-1789
Themes: American Identity, Demographic Changes, Politics and Citizenship, War and
Diplomacy
Conceptual Identifications: Representative Government, Revolution, Enlightenment,
Identity, Federalism, Confederation
Wednesday, October 19:
 American Promise: pg. 210-220. The Second Continental Congress.
 RAP 7-1: Thomas Paine, Common Sense. Read and prepare a typed response to
assigned question 1-4.
 Assign parts for Second Continental Congress simulation.
Thursday, October 20:
 American Promise: pg. 220-232. The First Year of the War and the Home Front.
 Douglas Wilson, Thomas Jefferson and the Meanings of Liberty. Read and
prepare a typed response to assigned question 2-5
 Assign one-pagers
Friday, October 21 (half day, Staff Development):
 View video Liberty! Times That Try Men’s Souls/Oh, Fatal Ambition
Monday, October 24:
 Class Simulation: The Second Continental Congress
Tuesday, October 25:
 American Promise: pg. 233-245. The Campaigns of 1777-1779: the North and
West and The Southern Strategy and the End of the War. Conclusion: Why the
British Lost.
 One-pagers due to share with the class
Wednesday, October 26:
 American Promise: pg. 248-262. The Articles of Confederation and The
Sovereign States.
 Declaration of Independence (done in CA) and Articles of Confederation- Read
and be ready to discuss in class.
Thursday/Friday, October 27, 28:
 No School. No Assignment. 
Monday, October 31:
 View video Liberty! The World Turned Upside Down/Are We To Be A Nation?
Tuesday, November 1
 American Promise: 262-274. The Critical Period and The United States
Constitution.
 Brian McGinty, Sunrise at Philadelphia. Read and prepare typed response to
assigned question 1-6.
Wednesday, November 2:
 American Promise: 274-281. Ratification of the Constitution
 RAP: 8-4: Madison, Federalist Number 10, 1787. Prepare typed response to
assigned question 1-6 and prepare to argue Madison’s position.
 RAP: 8-5: Warren, Observations on the New Constitution, 1788. Prepare typed
response to assigned question 1-5 and prepare to argue Warren’s position.
Thursday, November 3:
 DBQ
Friday, November 4:
 Multiple Choice Exam on Chapters 7 and 8