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AP United States History: Sample FRQs

1. Question:

The Role of Slavery in the Antebellum United States
Slavery played a central role in the development of the United States in the first half of the 19th century. In your response, be sure to:

  • Explain the economic and social role of slavery in the South.
  • Describe how slavery impacted political debates in the years leading up to the Civil War.
  • Discuss the ways in which slavery influenced American culture and society.

Response Guidelines:

  • Economic and Social Role: Slavery was crucial to the South’s agrarian economy, particularly in the production of cotton, tobacco, and sugar, which were major exports. It also contributed to a rigid social hierarchy based on race.
  • Political Debates: Slavery was a major source of tension between the North and South, particularly over issues like the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott decision. These debates contributed to the sectional crisis.
  • Impact on Culture and Society: Slavery influenced Southern culture through its reliance on a racial caste system and the normalization of racial inequality. It also shaped Northern views on race and morality.

2. Question:

The Causes and Effects of the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a defining event in American history. In your response, be sure to:

  • Identify the major causes of the Great Depression.
  • Analyze how the Great Depression impacted American society.
  • Discuss how the New Deal sought to address the challenges of the Depression.

Response Guidelines:

  • Causes of the Great Depression: Factors such as the stock market crash of 1929, bank failures, the agricultural crisis, overproduction, and the reduction of international trade contributed to the Depression.
  • Impact on Society: The Depression led to widespread unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and a significant decline in industrial production. It also caused social unrest and led to changes in public attitudes toward government.
  • New Deal: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal focused on relief, recovery, and reform through programs like Social Security, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), which sought to address economic instability and reduce unemployment.

3. Question:

The Rise of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s
The Civil Rights Movement marked a significant turning point in U.S. history. In your response, be sure to:

  • Discuss the key events that sparked the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s.
  • Analyze the role of organizations and leaders in the movement.
  • Explain the long-term impact of the Civil Rights Movement on American society.

Response Guidelines:

  • Key Events: Important events like the Brown v. Board of Education decision (1954), the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom helped bring national attention to racial inequality.
  • Role of Leaders and Organizations: Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) played key roles in organizing protests, demonstrations, and legal challenges.
  • Long-term Impact: The movement led to significant legal and societal changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and greater recognition of racial equality in the U.S. It also inspired other social movements in subsequent decades.

Grading Rubric for AP United States History FRQs

The AP United States History FRQs are graded on a scale of 0-6 points, based on how well the response meets the exam's expectations for historical accuracy, argumentation, and analysis. Below is an example rubric for grading:

1. The Role of Slavery in the Antebellum United States (0-6 points)

  • 0-1 points: The response demonstrates little understanding of slavery's role in the Antebellum United States and does not adequately address the question.
  • 2 points: The response provides some information about slavery but lacks a comprehensive analysis or connection to political debates and cultural impact.
  • 3 points: The response explains slavery’s role in the economy and society but lacks detailed analysis of political and cultural impacts.
  • 4 points: The response provides a clear and accurate explanation of slavery's economic and social role, political implications, and cultural influence.
  • 5 points: The response is detailed and well-developed, with clear explanations and analysis of slavery’s role in the economy, politics, and culture.
  • 6 points: The response is thorough, with strong analysis and clear, well-chosen examples that illustrate slavery's deep and multifaceted impact on the United States.

2. The Causes and Effects of the Great Depression (0-6 points)

  • 0-1 points: The response demonstrates little understanding of the causes and effects of the Great Depression and fails to address the main points of the question.
  • 2 points: The response identifies some causes and effects of the Great Depression but lacks depth in analysis or explanation of the New Deal's response.
  • 3 points: The response discusses some causes and effects of the Depression and provides basic analysis of the New Deal but lacks full clarity or specific examples.
  • 4 points: The response clearly identifies major causes and effects of the Depression, and it includes a strong analysis of the New Deal and its impact.
  • 5 points: The response provides thorough analysis of the causes and effects of the Depression, with detailed examples and a strong discussion of the New Deal.
  • 6 points: The response is comprehensive, with well-supported analysis of both the causes and effects of the Great Depression, and a sophisticated understanding of the New Deal’s long-term impacts.

3. The Rise of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s (0-6 points)

  • 0-1 points: The response demonstrates little understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and fails to adequately address the question.
  • 2 points: The response includes some discussion of key events and leaders, but lacks clarity or depth in analysis of the movement’s long-term impact.
  • 3 points: The response explains some key events and figures in the movement, but lacks a thorough analysis of its lasting societal impact.
  • 4 points: The response provides a clear explanation of key events, leaders, and organizations, with an insightful analysis of the movement's long-term impact on U.S. society.
  • 5 points: The response provides detailed, well-organized analysis of the Civil Rights Movement's events, leadership, and long-term effects, including specific examples.
  • 6 points: The response is thorough, with clear, detailed analysis and well-chosen examples that demonstrate a deep understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and its lasting impact on American society.

Sample Grading Breakdown (for one FRQ)

  • The Role of Slavery in the Antebellum United States: 5 points
  • The Causes and Effects of the Great Depression: 6 points
  • The Rise of the Civil Rights Movement: 6 points
  • Total: 17 points (for all three FRQs combined)

These sample FRQs test the understanding of key periods and events in U.S. history, including slavery, the Great Depression, and the Civil Rights Movement. If you would like more practice or further breakdowns of other historical periods, feel free to let me know!