2008 AP US HISTORY SUMMER ASSIGNMENT
DUE FIRST DAY OF CLASS

Project Goals:

Students will read and analyze each speech/document for major themes and ideas to gain an understanding of the relevance of the speech/document in relation to the American experience, democracy and human equality.

Research Requirements:

Students will use the hyperlinks below to read the 16 speeches/documents.

Written Requirements:

This assignment will be valued as a major homework assignment for the first marking period. Each student must complete the assignment independently. Collaboration is not permitted.

For each source, you will write two paragraphs, using your own words.

• Paragraph One: Identify the author; give a brief biography.
  
• Paragraph Two: Summarize the source into a concise paragraph which explains the source's significance and major themes.

All sources of information MUST be cited appropriately!

Classroom Assessment:

Students will take a test (approximately 30 multiple choice questions and one free-response essay) on the sources. Students average three tests per marking period.

Sources:

1) William Jennings Bryan, "Imperialism" (1900)

2) Mark Twain, “The War Prayer” (1904)

3) Theodore Roosevelt, “The Man with the Muck-rake” (1906)

4) Woodrow Wilson, “War Message” (1917)

5) Emma Goldman, “Speech Against Conscription and War” (1917)

6) Margaret Sanger, “The Morality of Birth Control” (1921)

7) Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Inaugural Address ” (1933)

8) Charles Lindbergh, “America First” (1941)

9) Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Farewell Address” (1961)

10) John F. Kennedy, "Inaugural Address" (1961)

11) Martin Luther King, “Letter From Birmingham Jail” (1963)

12) Richard M. Nixon, "Cambodian Incursion Address" (1970)

13) Ronald Reagan, “Evil Empire” (1983)

14) Elie Wiesel: "The Perils of Indifference" (1999)

15) Barack Obama, "The Audacity of Hope" (2004)

16) John McCain, "Liberty University Commencement" (2006)