APUSH – 2012 Fall Semester Portfolio Assignment
DUE: Monday, December 3rd
Choose one assignment from each letter category.
A. FILM ANALYSIS (Answer the question posed for one of these films in a 2 - 3 page paper)
*Dances with Wolves: Compare and contrast the Lakota and Pawnee? Do (or how might) the tribes symbolize
the division between “bad Indian” and “good Indian,” and that “good Indians” help whites?
*The New World: Were there inaccuracies in the movie compared to the material in our course which covers
that time period or person?
*Amistad: Using specific scenes/quotes, respond to the following question: which is more valuable, human
rights or property rights? Additionally, address how this film impacted your knowledge of the slave trade
system.
**this film is rated R for scenes of violence – you MUST have turned in a permission slip in order for
this assignment to count**
*The Crossing: George Washington is often painted strictly as a hero, as a larger than life, almost flawless
individual. He has been practically idolized (and idealized) by American history, the subject of hero-worship for
schoolchildren, adults and patriots nationwide. This film presents a somewhat different version of
Washington. How is the film’s version of him a unique? What do we see of Washington that we don’t often first
think of when he comes to mind? Essentially, how does The Crossing present him, and why do you think they
present him this way? Be specific and use examples from the film in your analysis.
B. POLITICAL CARTOON (Create a political cartoon that reflects one of the following and include a caption. Additionally,
complete the attached political cartoon analysis worksheet.)
*Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
-OR-
*1850s Sectionalism
C. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY (Identify 10 sources for one the following and summarize each source in 2 paragraphs)
*Alexander Hamilton’s Banking Proposals
*Development of the Two Party Political System
*Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Policies
*Divergent Development of the North and the South Pre-Civil War
D. RESEARCH ESSAY (Respond to one of the following essay questions in a 3 - 4 page paper. Be sure to provide
historical proof to support your position and appropriately cite your sources.)
*Choose one of the following and describe to what extent s/he could be considered a rebel.
Daniel Shays
Abigail Adams
Metacomet
Thomas Paine
*Which better reflects the ideals of the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation or the federal
Constitution?
*Why was presidential leadership ineffective on the issue of slavery?
GRADING
*Technical Requirements:
-Inclusion of one cover page
-One line title to separate a new section of your portfolio (anything more than this will result in loss of
points for not meeting page/paragraph requirements
*Film Analysis: 50 points
-2 – 3 pages
-Use of direct quotes/scene references from film
-Use of historical proof to support personal position
*Political Cartoon: 25 points
-Cartoon reflect time period selected and connection is evident
-Caption is included and reflects cartoon
-Statement is made
-Completion of political cartoon analysis worksheet
*Annotated Bibliography: 50 points
-At least 10 sources used
-Sources are credible (i.e. NO Wikipedia) and reflect chosen topic from multiple viewpoints
-Sources are summarized in 2 paragraphs)
*Research Essay: 75 points
- 3 – 4 pages (works cited page not included)
-Clear thesis statement
-Presentation of historical background on chosen topic
-Use of historical proof to support personal position
-Use of parenthetical citation