Name:_______________________________________________________________
Class Period:____
Unit 3, Period 4
HISTORICAL ANALYSIS – Periodization Defining the Period… The Era of Good Feelings
Historical Thinking Skill 3: Periodization
Historical thinking involves the ability to describe, analyze, evaluate, and construct models that historians use to organize history into discrete periods. To accomplish this
periodization of history, historians identify turning points and recognize that the choice of specific dates gives a higher value to one narrative, region, or group than to other
narratives, regions, or groups. How a historian defines historical periods depends on what the historian considers most significant — political, economic, social, cultural, or
environmental factors. Changing periodization can change a historical narrative. Moreover, historical thinking involves being aware of how the circumstances and contexts of a
historian’s work might shape his or her choices about periodization.
Proficient students should be able to …

Explain ways that historical events and processes can be organized within blocks of time.

Analyze and evaluate competing models of periodization of United States history.
1.
Identify the beginning and end of this era.
The era was ushered in with:_______________________________________________ and ushered out with:________________________________________________
______
______
(year)
2.
(year)
What are the defining characteristics of this era?
a.
b.
c.
3.
Explain why the years ________
defining this era.
and _______ _ are used to define this era . Include how they were significant turning points in history in your explanation, and identify alternative views for
_______ marks the beginning of this era, and it was an important turning point because…
_______ marks the end of this era, and it was an important turning point because…
An alternate view of defining this era is…
Historical Analysis Activity created by Rebecca Richardson, Allen High School using the 2012 College Board Advanced Placement United States history framework.
Name:_______________________________________________________________
4.
Unit 3, Period 4
Consider the following prompt: Support or refute the assertion that the period following the War of 1812 was an “Era of Good Feelings.” Using the list of evidence below, denote which pieces
support the assertion with a + (plus sign). Denote those pieces that refute with a
Clay’s American System
Gilbert Stuart
John Marshall’s decisions
War of 1812
Francis Scott Key
Washington Irving
Loose construction of elastic clause
Erie Canal
Tariff of Abominations, 1828
Panic of 1819
Strict interpretation of elastic clause
One-party system
Missouri Compromise
National Bank
James Fenimore Cooper
Cumberland Road
Early Industrial Revolution
Monroe Doctrine
5.
Class Period:____
- (minus sign). Then, categorize at least 3 pieces of evidence for each of your ABC.
Theme #1 (A)
Theme #2 (B)
Them #3 (C)
Write your thesis/introductory paragraph.
Use the Thesis Formula: X. However, A, B, and C. Therefore, Y.
or
Although X, Y because ABC.
For periodization, you are evaluating whether something was a significant turning point or a major marking period in history, noting what things were like before and after that period.
X = counter argument, why something was or was not a turning point… why the period was or was not consistent with its characterization.
A, B, C = argument, why something was or was not a turning point … why the period was or was not consistent with its characterization… broken up into organizational categories
Y = your assertion statement clearly addressing the entire prompt (remember assess extent or support/refute/modify explicitly)
Historical Analysis Activity created by Rebecca Richardson, Allen High School using the 2012 College Board Advanced Placement United States history framework.