AP US History

DBQ Part I: Envisioning your Argument

1. Read/annotate/analyze the prompt:

Evaluate the extent to which reform movements in the United States led to an expansion of democratic ideals from 1825 to 1855.

2. Brainstorm. Make a list of what you already know about the time period, topic and any important concepts included in the prompt:

3. Next, think about how you might structure your essay response. What will the categories of your XYZ thesis be? For this first
DBQ, you are welcome to adopt/adapt one of the following thesis statements. Notice that each one establishes a two- or three-part line
of reasoning that also creates the structure of each of the essay’s main sections:

1.
Social reform movements from 1825-1855 such as women’s rights, abolition and transcendentalism led to an
expansion of democratic ideals because they emphasized equality and an incorporation of previously
unrepresented groups of people into society.

2.
Social reform movements from 1825-1855 such as temperance, abolition and transcendentalism led to an
expansion of democratic ideals by emphasizing individualism, racial and gender equality, and morality.

3.
While some social reform movements between 1825-1855 such as women’s rights, abolition, and institutional
reform expanded democratic ideals by pushing for legislative change at state and national levels, other reform
movements had less of an immediate impact because their supporters chose to disconnect from American
society at large instead of trying to reform it from within.

You might consider making a chart like this during the 15-minutes you have to read over the documents:

Main Idea How does the evidence help address the How does point of view, purpose,
prompt? historical situation or audience help
extend your analysis?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.