Summer Reading

AP United States History

2017 Summer Reading Assignment

A Short History of the United States, Robert V. Remini

Mr. Petraitis

100 points

Premise

The goal of this assignment is simple. AP US History is what is called a survey course and the volume of content that we are expected to cover is daunting. “A Short History of the the United States” by Robert Remini is a well-crafted and concise summary of our nation’s history and my expectation is simply that you read it through (and I suggest highlighting as you read). Along with the reading, chapter analysis will be required. The value of the assignment will become apparent to you as we get into the course next fall.

Assignment Particulars

In the 2008 edition of the book there are 11 chapters – there is a 2009 version also and I assume there is some additional information included, but both are virtually the same. For each chapter, you simply need to do the following:

1. Write a 150-200 word (solid paragraph) summary of the chapter. Your ability to reduce information in this manner is a great exercise for you.

2. Identify 10 people, events, ideas, or developments that you believe to be significant in American history. If something is significant it has some type of long-range impact. Briefly describe each of your selections. For example, from Chapter 1, tobacco (native product) would be a good choice. The introduction of this North American plant in Europe prompted more Europeans to cross the water and ultimately tobacco plantations also drove the need for slave labor. Over time, tobacco changed the course of history in a number of ways.

3. Identify three past-present connections. History, in large measure, attempts to make connections between “former worlds” and our own. For example, while reading chapter 6 you will note that Reconstruction Governments in the South (post Civil War) eventually failed to bring equality of the treatment of the races in America. The

present connection to that would be the continual debates and discussion we have concerning race and, perhaps,all the attention that was given to the Obama election in 2008.

Suggestions as to the Reading Method

Get used to reading with a highlighter – that will be important for you in college. My suggestion is that you simply read through each chapter highlighting important words or sentences that will help you with the assignment as noted above. You may also want to try setting up a reading schedule of a certain number of pages each day over a set period of time. Again, that is something that you will need to learn to do for college.

This assignment will be due no later than the first day of school. No late assignments will be accepted. Failure to turn in your summer reading will result in a recommendation for removal from the course.

All assignments must be shared with me with via Google Drive - cf_petraitis@cftigers.org

If you have questions at any point over the summer, please don’t hesitate to contact me – rpetraitis1@gmail.com