Document-Based Question 1 - Document-Based Question

Sep 22, 2026

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Instructions for answering a U.S. History AP Document-Based Question, centered on building a historically defensible thesis and using multiple edited source documents. Requires cohesive argument development that addresses historical complexity through contradiction, corroboration, and qualification. Specifies thesis placement, document sourcing for at least four texts using POV/purpose/context/audience, contextualization, outside evidence, and synthesis linking the argument to another era or a broader history theme, focused on conservatism’s rise from 1960 to 1989.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages41

Reading Time1 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Document-Based Question 1

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# Document-Based Question 1 Note:As explained in the Preface,the instructions shown here are the ones that students will be given beginningwith the 2016APU.S.History Exam. | UNITED STATES HISTORY
SECTION I
Total Time—1 hour,30 minutes
Question 1(Document-Based Question)
Suggested reading period:15 minutes
Suggested writing time:40 minutes
Directions:Question 1 is based on the accompanying documents.The documents have been edited for the purpose
of this exercise.
In your response you should do the following.
·Thesis:Present a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question.
The thesis must consist of one or more sentences located in one place,either in the introduction or the
conclusion.
· Argument Development:Develop and support a cohesive argument that recognizes and accounts for
historical complexity by explicitly illustrating relationships among historical evidence such as contradiction,
corroboration,and/or qualification.
·Use of the Documents:Utilize the content of at least six of the documents to support the stated thesis or a
relevant argument.
·Sourcing the Documents:Explain the significance of the author's point of view,author's purpose,historical
context,and/or audience for at least four documents.
·Contextualization:Situate the argument by explaining the broader historical events,developments,or
processes immediately relevant to the question.
·Outside Evidence:Provide an example or additional piece of specific evidence beyond those found in the
documents to support or qualify the argument.
·Synthesis:Extend the argument by explaining the connections between the argument and one of the
following.
o A development in a different historical period,situation,era,or geographical area.
o A course theme and/or approach to history that is not the focus of the essay (such as political,economic,
social,cultural,or intellectual history).
1.Explain the reasons why a new conservatism rose to prominence in the United States between 1960 and 1989.
GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE
—4—
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this page is illegal. | | --- | Background Information The graph below is for background information.Analysis of it is not required and willnot count toward the required number of documents. UNEMPLOYMENT PLUS INFLATION,1961-1988 Total Year 1961 7.76 John Kennedy 1962 6.77 1963 6.88 1964 6.44 1965 6.10 Lyndon Johnson 1966 6.80 1967 6.62 1968 7.83 1969 8.95 1970 10.82 1971 10.25 Richard Nixon 1972 8.87 1973 11.02 16.67 1974 1975 17.68 Gerald Ford 1976 13.45 1977 13.55 1978 13.69 Jimmy Carter 1979 17.07 1980 20.76 1981 17.97 1982 15.87 1983 12.82 1984 11.81 Ronald Reagan 1985 10.74 1986 8.91 1987 9.84 1988 9.57 □ Unemployment rate■Inflation rate Unauthorized copying or reuse of —5— GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE. any part of this page is illegal. Document 1 Source:Barry Goldwater,a Republican senator from Arizona,The Conscience of a Conservative,1960.Franklin Roosevelt's rapid conversion from Constitutionalism to the doctrine of unlimited government is anoft-told story....I am here concerned...by the unmistakable tendency of the Republican Party to adopt thesame course.The result is that today neither of our two parties maintains a meaningful commitment to theprinciple of States'Rights.Thus,the cornerstone of the Republic,our chief bulwark against the encroachmentof individual freedom by Big Government,is fast disappearing under the piling sands of absolutism....The root evil is that the government is engaged in activities in which it has no legitimate business.As long asthe federal government acknowledges responsibility in a given social or economic field,its spending in tha

FAQs

What must the thesis do in Document-Based Question 1?

Present a historically defensible claim that responds to all parts of the question. The thesis must be one or more sentences located either in the introduction or the conclusion.

How should students develop and support their argument?

Develop a cohesive argument that recognizes and accounts for historical complexity by explicitly illustrating relationships among evidence, such as contradiction, corroboration, and qualification.

What are the document-related and evidence requirements?

Use at least six documents to support the thesis. Explain significance of author point of view, purpose, historical context, and/or audience for at least four documents, and include at least one piece of outside evidence beyond the documents.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Violet