(DBQs) for APUSH Unit 2

DBQ 1: Causes of the American Revolution
Prompt:
Evaluate the extent to which economic, political, and ideological grievances caused the American Revolution.
Document Set:

• Proclamation of 1763: Issued by King George III on October 7, 1763, this proclamation prohibited colonial expansion westward beyond a line drawn along the Appalachian Mountains, aiming to prevent costly conflicts with Native American tribes and to manage colonial expansion.
  en.wikipedia.org
  
  
• Stamp Act (1765): Enacted by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765, the Stamp Act imposed a direct tax on all paper goods in the American colonies, including legal documents, newspapers, and pamphlets. The revenue generated was intended to pay for British military troops stationed in the colonies after the French and Indian War.
  britannica.com
  
  
• Virginia Resolves (1765): In response to the Stamp Act, Patrick Henry introduced the Virginia Resolves, a series of resolutions asserting that Virginians possessed the same rights as Englishmen, including the right to be taxed only by their own consent. These resolutions argued against taxation without representation and were a significant expression of colonial dissent.
  gilderlehrman.org
  
  
• "Join, or Die" Cartoon (1754, reused during the Revolution): Originally created by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 to encourage colonial unity during the French and Indian War, the "Join, or Die" cartoon depicted a segmented snake, each segment representing a colony. It was later reused during the American Revolution as a symbol of colonial unity against British rule.
  battlefields.org
  
  
• Excerpt from John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania (1767): In his 1767 letters, John Dickinson critiqued the Townshend Acts and British authority, arguing that the colonies had the right to self-governance and should not be taxed without their consent. His writings were influential in shaping colonial resistance to British policies.
  gilderlehrman.org
  
  
• Boston Tea Party Account (1773): On December 16, 1773, American colonists, disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. This act of protest was against the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies and imposed a tax on tea.
  gilderlehrman.org
  
  
• Olive Branch Petition (1775): Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, the Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt to avoid a full-scale war with Great Britain. It appealed to King George III for reconciliation and the protection of colonial rights, asserting loyalty to the Crown while seeking redress for grievances.
  gilderlehrman.org
  
  

Teaching Tips:

• Encourage students to consider the interconnected nature of economic, political, and ideological factors.
• Discuss how grievances evolved over time and why some colonists hesitated to pursue independence.

DBQ 2: Challenges of Unity Under the Articles of Confederation
Prompt:
Evaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation provided an effective framework for governing the United States from 1781 to 1787.
Document Set:

1. Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, establishing a "league of friendship" among the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retained "every Power...which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States." Congress had representation not based on population; each state had one vote.
   archives.gov
   
   
2. Northwest Ordinance (1787): Officially titled "An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States North-West of the River Ohio," the Northwest Ordinance was adopted on July 13, 1787, by the Confederation Congress. It chartered a government for the Northwest Territory, provided a method for admitting new states to the Union, and listed a bill of rights guaranteed in the territory.
   archives.gov
   
   
3. Letter from George Washington to James Madison (1786): In this letter, George Washington expressed his concerns about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly the lack of a strong central government. He emphasized the need for a more effective union to address the nation's challenges.
   constitution.congress.gov
   
   
4. Shay’s Rebellion Petition (1786): This petition was presented by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic conditions and the lack of government response to their grievances. It highlighted the economic struggles and the need for reforms under the Articles of Confederation.
   khanacademy.org
   
   
5. Trade Statistics (1783-1787): During this period, the United States faced significant trade imbalances and economic struggles under the Articles of Confederation. Congress lacked the authority to regulate commerce, leading to economic challenges.
   digitalhistory.uh.edu
   
   
6. Map of Western Land Claims (1781): This map illustrates the territorial disputes among states over western lands. The Articles of Confederation did not provide a clear resolution to these disputes, leading to conflicts and the eventual cession of western lands to the federal government.
   history.state.gov
   
   
7. Speech by Alexander Hamilton at the Annapolis Convention (1786): In his speech, Alexander Hamilton called for a stronger federal government to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. He emphasized the need for a more effective union to promote the nation's interests.
   constitution.congress.gov
   
   

Teaching Tips:

• Guide students in balancing the successes (e.g., Northwest Ordinance) with the failures (e.g., inability to tax or regulate commerce).
• Discuss how the Articles served as a stepping stone to the Constitution.

DBQ 3: Debates Over Ratification of the Constitution
Prompt:
Evaluate the extent to which the Constitution resolved the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation while addressing concerns of Federalists and Anti-Federalists between 1787 and 1791.
Document Set:

1. Virginia Plan (1787): Drafted by James Madison and presented by Edmund Randolph to the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787, the Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
   archives.gov
   
   
2. The Federalist No. 10 (James Madison, 1787): In this essay, Madison discusses the dangers of factionalism and advocates for a large republic to control factions.
   avalon.law.yale.edu
   
   
3. Anti-Federalist Essay (Brutus No. 1, 1787): This essay critiques the proposed Constitution, expressing concerns about centralized power and the lack of a Bill of Rights.
   guides.loc.gov
   
   
4. Three-Fifths Compromise (1787): This compromise addressed representation and taxation by counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person.
   en.wikipedia.org
   
   
5. Bill of Rights (1791): The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, addressing Anti-Federalist concerns about individual liberties.
   guides.loc.gov
   
   
6. George Washington’s Letter Supporting Ratification (1788): In this letter, Washington advocates for unity under the Constitution.
   guides.loc.gov
   
   
7. Map of Ratification Votes by State: A visual representation of regional differences in support for the Constitution.
   en.wikipedia.org
   
   

Teaching Tips:

• Encourage students to analyze the compromises made during the Constitutional Convention.
• Discuss the lasting impact of debates over federalism and individual rights.

How to Use These DBQs

1. Introduction to DBQs: Provide scaffolding for analyzing documents and structuring essays.
2. Group Document Analysis: Assign groups to evaluate the significance and point of view of specific documents.
3. Practice Essay Writing: Use one DBQ as a timed essay and another for collaborative drafting with AI support.
4. AI Integration:
   • Use tools like ChatGPT to draft thesis statements or brainstorm arguments.
   • Analyze document context or author biases with AI for deeper insights.