SUMMER READING for Advanced Placement U.S. History
Required Summer Reading
The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People by Paul S.
Boyer, Paul et.al.
Wadsworth Cengage Learning, eighth edition, pp. 1-221.
You will be given TWO MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMINATIONS ON
THIS MATERIAL on the FIRST TWO DAYS of the new school year.
The first test will cover material up to page 175; the second on
pages 176—221.
Do not hesitate to underline the important points in the text as you
read. Any notes you take should be written in a spiral notebook;
plan to continue using this notebook for text notes in the fall. It is
suggested that you read a chapter in three or four sittings and that
you review thoroughly before the start of school, especially if you do the reading before August.
Please read carefully and follow the “How to Study History” suggestions that are attached. Consult
a dictionary when necessary and develop a vocabulary list.
This summer reading assignment will be reviewed rapidly during the first few weeks of school.
The following questions serve as a guide for the required reading:
1. Clarify the regional cultures that developed in North America prior to 1492.
2. How did the method of English settlement of the colonies differ from that of France and
Spain? What were the problems that the English had to surmount in order to create viable
settlements? For what reasons did Englishmen migrate to America?
3. What factors contributed to Jamestown becoming England’s first permanent settlement in
America?
4. How and why did the southern colonies differ from the northern colonies of England?
(Be aware of economic, social and geographic factors.)
5. Why would Massachusetts be at the forefront of conflict and controversy when the
American Revolution developed?
6. Define and explain the significance of mercantilism. Explain the major problems and developments in the enforcement of British mercantile policy up to 1750. Explain the benefits
of mercantilism to the colonies.
7. How did French policy toward the Native Americans (Indians) differ from that of the British?
How did the settlement of New France differ from the settlement of the 13 British colonies?
Why was Georgia founded? Also note: Albany Congress, General E. Braddock, Ohio
Company, and Peace of Paris of 1763.
8. In your notes you should prepare a chronological outline of the major developments that
would bring a split with England from 1763-1776. Why was 1763 such a critical year?
At what point do you think the Revolution became inevitable?
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SUMMER READING for Advanced Placement U.S. History — Page 2 of 2
9. If the military situation for the colonies was so bad, why did we win the Revolution? Or was
the situation so bad? Note in particular: the French Alliance of 1778 and the Treaty of Paris
of 1783.
10. List the major triumphs and failures of the U.S. during the 1780’s under the Articles of
Confederation.
11. What were the common beliefs of the men who gathered to write the Constitution? How did
the delegates determine the powers of the National government? Who would control the
national government? What was the large state, or Virginia Plan, What was the small state,
or New Jersey Plan? What was the Connecticut, or Great Compromise?
12. What factors favored ratification of the Constitution? What factors worked against its ratification? How was the campaign to ratify the Constitution conducted? Who was for and who was
against the new document and why?
13. What were the major problems of the Washington and John Adams Administrations? Which
of these problems led to the formation or development of political parties, or factions?
Identify: Whiskey Rebellion and Hamilton’s Financial Plan.
14. What were the differing positions of Jefferson and Hamilton on the French Revolution?
Why did they feel the way they did and how did these feelings affect American neutrality?
Identify: Citizen Genet, Jay Treaty, Pinckney Treaty, the XYZ Affair, the Alien and Sedition Acts,
the Virginia and Kentucky Resolves, and the Neutrality Proclamation. Was the election of 1800
the “revolution of 1800” that some believe? Why, or why not?
If you have any questions concerning the assignment, please email me at [email protected].
This summer assignment is also posted on my blog: jbodley.blogspot.com
Good luck!
Mr. Bodley