APUSH Summer Reading 2015
1
Marie Feazel, AP United States History Instructor
Email: marie.feazel@glynn.k12.ga.us
AP Exam- Friday, May 6, 2016, Morning Session
Due August 14, 2015 via turnitin.com
Greetings Young Scholars,
I am honored that you chose to accept this exciting, significant and challenging course to
complete during the upcoming school year. This summer we begin preparation for the May 2016
administration of the AP United States History exam. The 2016 AP Exam will reflect a change in the
testing format which will be discussed in class. Throughout the upcoming school year, you will
complete a variety of thought-provoking readings and writing assignments aimed at honing your
investigative skills as we seek to thoroughly examine United States History. Careful attention must
be placed on political, social, economic, and diplomatic historical themes as well as the people and
places that shaped United States History.
A successful AP United States History student will devote time each day reading both primary
and secondary historical sources in addition to composing or revising essay prompts. Additionally,
students will be asked to analyze photographs, political cartoons, personal diaries, Supreme Court
cases, and a variety of charts, graphs, relevant fiction and nonfiction writings during pertinent
historical time periods. In preparation for our work this fall, you will read 1 book this summer, write
responses to the book via turnitin.com, learn the locations of all 50 states, and watch a two
introductory videos in preparation for our work in the fall. The two videos will make up the content
of your first quiz in our class. The readings, map work and videos allow you to gain important
insights into crucial American time periods.
Part 1: The Novel Study
Choose 1 of the Following Books to Read and Write Your Responses:
Brands, H.W. (2011). The Murder of Jim Fisk for the Love of Josie Mansfield. New York: Anchor
Press.
This book is the engaging true story of Gilded Age robber baron Jim Fisk. Written by University of Texas historian H.W.
Brands, this work of history outlines the glitz and glamour of the Gilded Age as well as a seedy, corrupt convergence of
business, industry and government. You will meet many of the historical characters that we will cover in the Gilded Age
unit, including Jim Fisk, Jay Gould, Commodore “Cornelius” Vanderbilt, Boss Tweed, etc… This book does have some limited
language concerns.
Ellis, Joseph. (2002). Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. New York: Vintage.
(Available at the local library)
This Pulitzer Prize winning historical work by Joseph Ellis provides the reader a series of engaging vignettes into the men
who determined the early new American Republic.
Shaara, Michael (1974). The Killer Angels New York: Crown Publishing. (Available at the local
library)
This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is a work of historical fiction discussing the Battle of Gettysburg. You will meet many of
the leading Generals of the Civil War as well as a few lesser known heroes. The book is a mostly accurate account of the
Battle of Gettysburg although historical liberties have been taken in regards to the actual words of the characters in this
novel. This book does contain some mildly graphic depictions of the battlefield and does have limited language concerns.
APUSH Summer Reading 2015
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Stowe, Harriet B. (1852). Uncle Tom’s Cabin (multiple publishers: available online, free as a kindle
download or at http://gutenberg.org/ebooks/203) (Available at the local library)
As an attack on slavery, Uncle Tom’s Cabin is uncompromising, well informed, and logically sophisticated work of fiction.
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s international bestseller sold more than 300,000 copies when it first appeared in 1852. Critics
consider Stowe’s stirring indictment of slavery the most powerful and most enduring work of art ever written about
American slavery by abolitionist supporters. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is the story of slavery in America using the experiences of
a fictitious man called Uncle Tom. Thematically, Uncle Tom’s Cabin addresses not only slavery but forgiveness, the
importance of family and faith. This book does contain some graphic depictions of slavery, beatings and some limited
language concerns.
Part 2- The Novel Response Questions
Based on the book you choose to read, answer the following questions. You will post your answers to the website
turnitin.com. Each question must be answered in complete sentences and should be at least one paragraph in length but
no more than three. Refrain from using 1st person narrative when completing this assignment. Each question should be
answered with a proper thesis statement (main idea) that fully responds to the question and includes supporting details.
Each response should have direct quotes from the novel and demonstrate evidence of historical understanding of the each
time period. You may need to consult outside sources such as books, magazine articles or Internet sources if you are
unfamiliar with the historical time period. Please site your additional sources using MLA format. If you wish to use Internet
sources, the source must be from a major college or university or governmental agency. If you are unsure about your
Internet source, feel free to send me a copy of the link via e-mail and I will check it out!
Questions: The Murder of Jim Fisk for the Love of Josie Mansfield (MJF)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Out of all of the events in US History from 1865-1896, why would the murder of Jim Fisk be such a noteworthy
event? What was special or noteworthy about Jim Fisk? Does Jim Fisk compare to any modern figure why/why
not?
Was the affair between Jim Fisk and Josie Mansfield really the impetus for the shooting or was there a greater
significance? (Based on the wording of this question, I would look for the larger meaning)
Describe the railroad competition in New York during the 1860’s and 1870’s. Why do historians note that the
construction of was railroads such an important historical event in US History and yet an event that caused such
financial and municipal corruption?
Which was the greater wrong: corruption by private business/industry or by municipalities (cities)? Could the
average, middle-income American thrive in the 1860’s and 1870’s based on your reading of this book? Should the
federal government have intervened and stopped the corruption? Explain your reasoning with three examples
from the book. (three total)
Why was the trial of Edward Stokes such a media event of the 19 th Century? Does it share comparisons with
modern, high profile trials? Do you think Stokes received a fair trial and was the outcome of the trial satisfactory?
Do you believe others were at fault concerning the death of Jim Fisk? Explain your response with specific evidence
from the book?
Questions: The Founding Brothers (FB)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How has your viewpoint of George Washington changed as a result of this book? List three examples.
“The signers of the Declaration would . . . have been hunted down, tried, and executed for treason, and American
history would have flowed forward in a wholly different direction" [p. 5]. Analyze revolutionary impact of the
signing of the Declaration of Independence and discuss why the act of declaring independence was so notable
during the last 18th and early 19th centuries. Give at least 3 examples from the book.
Sometimes students make superheroes or idols of the Founding Fathers. In a sense we have created larger than
life icons. Identify 3 ways in which the actions of the Founding Fathers are heroic and 3 ways that demonstrate
they are ordinary men. I guess I am really asking does the man make the time period or does the time period make
the man?
After reading this book, in your opinion which founding father has been the most influential? Avoid 1st person
when writing this response.
What do you believe was the larger significance of the Aaron Burr/Alexander Hamilton duel? Do you really think
it was just a war of words? (Based on the wording of this question, I would look for a greater significance)
Questions: The Killer Angels (KA)
1.
After reading this book, what qualities do you believe make a good leader? Give an example of the character that
you believe best epitomizes leadership and provide 3 events/situations from the novel to prove your point(s)
about the qualities of a good leader.
APUSH Summer Reading 2015
2.
3.
4.
5.
3
Why do you think the Confederate Army lost at the Battle of Gettysburg? Give specific examples from the Novel.
One of the first major conflicts in this story is the disagreement between Lee and Longstreet about how to engage
the Union in this battle. Describe the nature of the disagreement and the plan each man proposed. List and explain
the reasons why Lee’s plan was adopted over Longstreet’s plan.
Based on your reading of this book and providing specific examples from this story, why might an otherwise sane
human being risk life and limb to engage in the Battle of Gettysburg? (In other words, why/how might a religion
professor like Joshua Lawrence Chamberlin become an integral part of the Union success at the Little Round Top?).
What was Freemantle’s purpose in the story and what prospective did his inclusion bring? Was it needed?
Questions: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (UTC)
1. Who is the “Man of Humanity” referred to in the title of the first chapter? Explain how the “Man of Humanity”
2.
3.
4.
5.
continues as a theme throughout the novel.
How is the dialect in this book an example of racial stereotyping? Why do you suppose the author chose to depict
African Americans in this manner?
Despite the kindness of the Shelby’s, why are their slaves in danger? What do you think the Shelby’s could have
done to protect Tom and Eliza?
Compare Uncle Tom and Mr. Shelby. Which man has the most courage? Who best adheres to the principle of
Christianity of love and forgiveness for all? Compare Mr. Shelby to Simon Legree.
Relate three incidents from the story where Tom demonstrates the doctrine of self-sacrifice.
Tips for paragraph writing:
When writing an assignment, sometime students struggle trying to find just the right word. Papers get a little boring when
they read, "Thomas Jefferson said, or Thomas Jefferson did not like the..... You could use a "power verb" to make your
sentences exciting. For example:
Washington said could become Washington articulated.....
Washington did not like the... could become Washington 0pposed
http://www.webresume.com/resumes/verbs.shtml
The above website is really for resumes but does it does have a great word list. We will discuss verbiage more in the fall.
How to post to turnitin.com
If you have already made an account with turnitin.com, you can use your existing log-in information. All you will need is
the class ID and enrollment password which is listed below.
If you have not used turnitin.com in the past, access the website www.turnitin.com. On the upper right hand corner of the
page is a button which says “create account”. At the bottom of the page, you are given a choice to create an account, you
need to create a student account. You will need your class ID and enrollment password which is listed above. You need to
complete all required sections and make sure you choose an email address that you check. Ms. Feazel sends emails to
students utilizing turnitin.com. Next, click on the assignment and following the posting information. You can copy/paste
the assignment, you can attach the assignment using word, etc… When posting your response to turnitin.com, please use
the abbreviation of your book as the title of this assignment, followed by your last name. If Ms. Feazel posted her responses
to The Murder of Jim Fisk it would read “MJF Feazel”. If Ms. Feazel posted her reply to Founding Brothers it would read “FB
Feazel”.
APUSH Summer Reading 2015
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Part Three- Map Activity
Students are required to learn the political map of United States and its capitals. After school starts, we will work on learning
the physical map of the United States. Students need to practice identifying the locations of the states over the summer.
Please use the following website to review:
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html - Locations. In order to receive credit for this assignment, you
need to earn 135/150 possible points or 90% accuracy. You will be assessed during the 1 st nine weeks.
Part Four- Historical Visitation and Response
In preparation for our first few days of class, please watch the following YouTube videos from a teacher in New York. There
will also be a link on my webpage as well. These videos cover topics we will be covering in the first class discussion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtW2d-vM6MM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vptOsio63i8
Final Note on Academic Integrity
Students may be instructed to collaborate with others in order to complete assignments. Collaboration is when students
work together in order to complete a task or when a student consults a print/web source. Simply copying another person’s
work (classmates work, internet sites, print material, etc…) and returning that work as your own is plagiarism.
Plagiarism/Cheating will result in an automatic zero on the assignment, including major tests and a referral to school
officials. Turnitin.com or other sources are used to verify the originality of student work. Students must maintain an active
account for submitting assignments.
You are expected to complete your own work on this assignment. This is NOT a collaborated assignment.
Due Date
This assignment is due on August 14, 2015. If you return this assignment to turninin.com on or before the due date you
will receive up to a 10% bonus on this assignment. You may return this assignment late up September 30, 2015.
Assignments will not be accepted after September 30, 2015. You will receive a late penalty but you may return the
assignment.
Good Luck and Happy Reading,
Marie Feazel