APUSH Movies
Summer Assignment
Below is a list of movies depicting various events, eras, and people of U.S.
History. It is not an exhaustive list, but rather an incomplete sampling of the
chapters that tell the story of America. For your summer assignment you must
watch the movies marked with an asterisk. Plus, watch as many of the others
as time and interest allows. Remember, with each movie your understanding of
our complex and diverse history will grow. Hopefully, you will appreciate the
ideals on which the country was founded (even in those instances when we
have fallen short) and the continual effort to “create a more perfect union.” So
pop some popcorn and enjoy.
Movie Choices:
The Crucible
Last of the Mohicans
1776*
John Adams--HBO Series
Amistad*
12 Years a Slave
Glory
Lincoln
Far and Away
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee*
Iron-Jawed Angels*
Inherit the Wind
The Great Debaters*
Grapes of Wrath
The Tuskegee Airmen*
Flags of Our Father
Windtalkers
42
Trumbo
Good Night and Good Luck
Mississippi Burning
Malcolm X
Selma
The Butler*
The Help
Brooklyn
Bridge of Spies*
Thirteen Days
Good Morning Vietnam
Forest Gump
All the President's Men
Frost/Nixon
Norma Rae
Milk
Argo
Charlie Wilson's War
Black Hawk Down
Step 1:
Find a legal method for obtaining the movie, such as Netflix, Redbox, On
Demand, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, or even your local library.
Step 2:
Watch the movie. Take some notes to assist you in the next step.
Step 3:
Type a heading that includes the name of the movie and the date you watched
it. Also, include the course theme you believe is most prominently portrayed
throughout the movie. (The course themes are listed on the following page.)
Under the heading type a paragraph using fifty words or less to explain your
choice (include word count). Most movies embody several themes; simply pick
the one to which you can offer the best explanation.
Example:
Norma Rae
13 June 2016
Economy
Norma Rae describes labor systems, jobs, ways of working, and the working
class as Norma Rae, a factory worker, ignores her lousy working conditions
until hearing an inspiring speech by a labor organizer. Norma Rae is motivated
to join the unionizing effort and rallies her fellow workers to join her.
(50 words)
 On the first day of class, you will simply submit Step 3. Please print and
staple. Do not put assignment in plastic sleeve/binder.
Step 4:
Find your next movie. Repeat.
APUSH THEMES
B-A-G-P-I-P-E
B elief System
 Ideologies, Religion, Art, Literature, Artistic Expression, Cultural Values,
Science, Philosophy, Ideals, Morality, Moral Values, Popular Culture
A merica in the World
 Competition for Resources, Dominance, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy,
Expansionism, Imperialism, Global Connections, Global Trade, Global
Communications, Global Conflicts, World Wars, Military & Economic
Involvement in the Developing World
G eography & Environment
 Climate, Geography, Environment (Natural & Man-Made), Interaction with
Environment, Natural Resources, Exchanges: Plants, Disease, Animals,
Technologies
P eopling
 Movement To/From/Within the U.S., Nativism, Immigrant Groups,
Demography, Indigenous Populations, Immigrant Debates
I dentity
 Gender, Gender Roles, Class, Racial/Ethnic Identities, National Identity,
Regional Identity, Nationalism/Patriotism, Group Identities, Assimilation
P olitics & Power
 Constitution, Role of State, Political Process, Political Party System,
Government, Federalism, Federal/State, Local Governments, Liberty, Rights,
Democracy, Citizenship, Authority, Power
E conomy

Agriculture, Commerce, Trade, Manufacturing, Labor Systems, Jobs, Ways of
Working, Labor & Social Class, Economic Developments, Land Distribution,
Trade Patterns/Exchange, Innovation, Transportation, Technology,
Globalization, Capitalism, Free Markets, Communism, Socialism,
Industrialization, Regulation
Postscript: It is advisable for you to at least listen to the musical Hamilton.
And it certainly will not hurt you to become obsessed with it, even memorize it.
The musical offers a fresh and catchy snapshot of the Revolutionary Era.
Note: You will have to purchase your text book and two readers. Please bring
all three and your summer assignment on the first day of class.
Text: Give Me Liberty! An American History, Fourth Edition, Eric Foner
ISBN: 978-0-393-92029-I
Readers: Voices of Freedom, A Documentary History, Fourth Edition, Vol. 1 & 2
ISBN: 978-0-393-92291-2
978-0-393-92292-9
Advice from APUSH ’15-’16 students:
 “You get what you put in! If you study and participate, you will find the
material much more interesting.”
 “Enjoy the class! Do not wait until the last night before a test to study,
even if you do that for other tests. Getting a prep book also really helped
me succeed in the class!”
 “It’s hard and you definitely have to put in a lot of effort, but it’s
definitely worthwhile and probably the most enjoyable class I had this
year.”
 “There is a lot of writing on the tests – I didn’t expect that. Don’t study
the night before the tests, review over a few days. It’s easier to
understand all the material that way.”
 “It can be very stressful, but it’s very manageable.”
 “The packets she [Ms. Bowman] gives you with the activities like turning
points, etc. may seem tedious and boring but they really help so
ACTUALLY DO THEM!”
 “Apply yourself and remain focused. Do the readings and participate.”
 “Read the textbook. Don’t wait until the night before to study for tests,
review material over time. Memorizing info doesn’t help that much, more
important to understand causes/effects/reasoning.”
 “It is a really great class that might be difficult at the start of the school
year, but you’ll get better at it.”
 “Don’t forget to bring your reader to class! Really fun and enjoyable
experience! My favorite class of junior year.”
 “Very challenging, but definitely worth it. You will learn so much!!”
 “This class requires a lot of work that you need to be willing to put the
time in for. This includes a lot of work on your own to make sure you
have a firm grasp of the unit.”
 “It was very fun and informative—a very good choice for my first AP
course!!”
 “It’s challenging, but if you work hard and stay ahead you’ll realize how
interesting it actually is.”
 “Make sure to study for several days before the tests because there is
very little homework. Make a list of important evidence throughout the
year.”
 “Enjoy the course while you are taking it. Actually do the readings and
packet because they actually help your understanding.”
 “Don’t limit yourself to only the obvious synthesis; be as creative as you
want. Watch videos to reinforce ideas from each period before the tests.
Before DBQ/LEQ prepare by creating a list of evidence.”
 “If you’re not sure about something in class, look it up or ask a question
right away so you don’t have to actually learn anything when studying
for the AP test. Don’t drop out; APUSH is fun!!”
 “Stay on top of your readings/work and participate in class because you
will feel much more prepared when it comes time for the AP exam.”
 “Make sure you read your assigned textbook chapters because it is really
helpful. Follow/pay attention to the [class] calendar. If you’re looking for
last minute studying, John Green Crash Course U.S. History videos are
really helpful.”
 “Don’t expect perfection. Everything you do will help you later on down
the line and you will be extremely well prepared when you take the exam,
even if it doesn’t feel that way starting out.”
 “Don’t expect to get an A on every test. Try to participate and get involved
as much as possible.”
 “If you have a prep book, use it at the beginning of the year too. Don’t
just wait until the exam to use it. Use the resources that are online to
help.”
 “Although it seems unnecessarily challenging at points, I can honestly
say I was prepared for the AP exam & that’s the goal. Don’t let one bad
grade get you down, just keep moving on & focus on the next one & you’ll
do just fine.”
 “Buy a prep book…Print out the power point presentations; they’re the
most helpful; add in facts and explanations she [Ms. Bowman] says in
class. Never be afraid to ask for help.”
 “Read the “readings” assignments! Watch apushreview.com videos as you
go, not just before a test.”
 “Enjoy the class & be engaged, because it goes by really fast! Really let
yourself explore the history & always have fun! Ask lots of questions &
make connections.”
 “Really take time to review. Don’t just go off the information in the power
points. Make time to sit down & read the textbook. Don’t be afraid to ask
for help. Meet with Ms. Bowman to look at the answer key for tests—they
tell WHY answers are right and wrong.”
 “Keep everything in perspective. Yes, the U.S., like all other nations, has
its dull spots. However, what we have here is amazing. Recognize the
country has made its fair share of mistakes, learn from them, and help
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keep them from occurring again. Overall, this course helped to reaffirm
and deepen the love I have for my country.”
“It was a great class and never a dull moment.”
“Print out papers from Portals! Keep a sheet of paper in your binder for
each unit on which you write all of the evidence you’ve learned after each
class.”
“I felt very prepared for the APUSH exam. Make sure you don’t get
behind on the material.”
“This class can be very challenging and hard to adjust to at first, but
continue to read your textbook and use all resources available to you to
ease the transition.”
“This class is definitely manageable. Make sure to pace yourself.”
“This was one of my favorite courses I have taken at Ursuline. I felt
extremely ready for the AP exam, and I have learned things about the
best and worst during American history. (Buy a prep book.)”
“Try to practice the DBQ/LEQ/SAQ format to get comfortable with it.
Read the book, it helps!”
“Even though the class may be challenging at first, if you adjust your
learning style and stay motivated, the class will be the most fun ever.”
“Keep an open mind (your view of America may get tainted). Participate in
class discussions, you’ll get more out of it. Do the readings. Get a prep
book (I recommend Kaplan).”
“Buy an AP prep book at the beginning of the year.”