Civil War

Should the Civil War be seen primarily as a war to save the Union or as a war to free the slaves?Why? What name would you give the conflict?

Civil War

Did the results of the Civil War justify its cost? Does the answer to that question depend on whether you are a Northerner or a Southerner, black or white?

Dred Scott

Did the Supreme Court do too much in its ruling in the Dred Scott case or was it within its traditional Constitutional boundaries? Explain.

Slavery -- Week 13

How effective were the abolitionists in achieving their goals? Did they hasten or delay the end of slavery?

Reform -- week 12

Why did America produce so many reform and utopian movements? What did they contribute to American culture?

King Andrew

 How would the founding fathers assess Andrew Jackson's presidency? Consider Jackson's democratic views, reaction to nullification, , support for expansion and his attack on the BUS.

Court Decisions

Did the Supreme Court decisions under John Marshall's leadership extend federal power too much? Is it appropriate that someone who was not elected should have such tremendous power to shaped the government and the law?

Political Parties -- Week 8 & 9

Why were political parties viewed as so dangerous by the Founding Fathers? Why did parties come into being at all, and why did the come to be accepted as legitimate ways to express political disagreement? What are your opinions of partisan politics today?

Propaganda--Week 7

Which had the greater effect on revolutionary America--Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence or Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense?”  Explain.

Road to Revolution -- Week 6

Was the American Revolution inevitable? Could the colonies have gradually and peacefully developed independence within the British Commonwealth, as Canada later did, rather than engaging in a violent revolt? Why?

French & Indian War -- Week 5

Should the French & Indian War be considered one of the major causes of the American Revolution? Why or why not?

Witches -- Week 4

What aspects of the Salem Witch Trials can we see in present day society? Give at least one fully developed example.

Colonial Differences -- Week 3

Considering the extreme differences during the 17th Century between New England and the southern colonies, was the Civil War inevitable?

Conquistadors -- Week 2

Should the Spanish conquistadors be especially blamed for the cruelties and deaths (including those by disease) inflicted on the original Indian populations of the Americas or should they be hailed as great explorers and creators of a new culture?

APUSH -- Week 1

Week 1 involves three tasks:
1. Tell everyone something unique about you.
2. What us one thing you would like to learn about this year?
3. Why did you choose to take AP US History?