Writing A DBQ: AP World History DBQ Practice Michael Aiken, First Coast High School [2012]

DBQ ANALYSIS & ORGANIZATION PATTERNS OF TRADE 1000 C.E. – 1450 C.E.

BASIC PROCEDURE FOR WRITING DBQ’S: DISSECT THE QUESTION OR PROMPT What does the prompt require? Use all of the information available. Use a table or chart to organize Universal categories Specific categories Group and link documents Develop a topic sentence Body paragraphs Fill-in sentences Develop a thesis and conclusion Links to prior knowledge

DBQ STEP 1: ANALYZING THE PROMPT

Q U E S T I O N Using the documents, analyze the patterns of trade in the period 1000 C.E. – 1450 C.E. In addition, identify possible cultural consequences of trade in this time period. What is the prompt (question) asking for? Are there recognizable patterns? What were the consequences of the contacts?

Historical Background Trade within and among societies has existed since the time of the first civilizations. On the eve Columbus’s discovery of the new world, trade networks in both the eastern and western hemispheres were well-established and thriving. The next step will be to create categories based on document analysis. Use every document available.

ORGANIZING THE INFORMATION DBQ STEP 2: ORGANIZING THE INFORMATION

Analysis & Organization Develop a table or chart Certain pieces of information will be the same for every DBQ document: Document number Major point of the document Point of view Information needed

In addition to the “universal” categories add the prompt categories YOUR TABLE / CHART DOC PAT CON A C O NEED P of V MAJOR CONCEPT “Trade Patterns” = PAT “Consequences” = CON In addition to the “universal” categories add the prompt categories Document on Africa = A Document on China = C Document on other regions (Latin America, Europe) = O Another method of “groupings” would be the regions.

DBQ STEP 3: The Documents

Let’s take a look at the documents one at a time. YOUR TABLE / CHART DOC PAT CON A C O NEED P of V MAJOR CONCEPT Let’s take a look at the documents one at a time. Number, Region, and major concept / point. Pattern or consequence? Complete each document, separated by a line.

DOC PAT CON A C O NEED P of V MAJOR CONCEPT

Patterns of Trade: 1000 - 1450 DOC PAT CON A C O NEED P of V MAJOR CONCEPT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 X Outsider, in terms of own culture Religious outsider interested in converting Religious bias Outsider in terms of own culture Outsider urging adaptation Outsider, impressed by foreign culture Muslims’ effect on African cultures (Veiling and intermarriages) European interest in gold, silver and slavery African and Muslim contacts and likely influence Morality more important than trade Muslim influence on Africa culture Islamic region as a “connector” between regions, likely to have greater impact Adjustments to foreign cultures necessary in order to survive

Extensive contact through trade routes but no docs on influences Patterns of Trade: 1000 - 1450 DOC PAT CON A C O NEED P of V MAJOR CONCEPT 10 11 12 X Extensive contact through trade routes but no docs on influences Outsider impressed by foreign culture European perception of Africa Shows concentration of activity in northern Europe Establishing trade center by relocating specialists from other cultures Relative size of Mansa Musa; importance of Africa

Other Possible Grouping: POSSIBLE GROUPINGS: PATTERNS Docs 2, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12 CONSEQUENCES Docs 1, 5, 6, 8 Nature and methods of contact; foreign perception of new market Changes and influences that developed as a result of commercial contacts FORCED CHANGE Docs 3, 5, 11 Other Possible Grouping: by Region Attempts to manipulate existing systems through religion or relocation Africa, Asia, Europe

Content for topic sentence European and Muslim contact and impressions of Africa POSSIBLE GROUPINGS Docs: 1, 6, 12 Contacts and impressions of China What fits together? Why? Docs: 3, 5, 8, 9 Patterns of trade and contacts between regions, attempt to change Docs: 4. 7, 10, 11 Content for topic sentence 3 Paragraphs

DBQ STEP 4: Needs, Thesis, & Review

Is there additional information that would be valuable? WHAT’S MISSING? Is there additional information that would be valuable? The documents only presented Islamic and European perceptions. African or Asian impressions concerning trade contacts would have been helpful

Then you have the thesis… THESIS AND CONCLUSION IS THERE... Then you have the thesis… A Pattern? A Rationale or concept? A Question or dilemma? EXAMPLE: The documents gave the impression that Muslim commercial contacts were culturally more effective and influential than those of the Europeans. Europeans emphasized religious conversion, descriptions of goods of interest to European needs, or simply adjusting to new environments. Needed documents discussed on the previous slide can provide the basis for an effective conclusion.

BASIC PROCEDURE FOR WRITING DBQ’S: REVIEW BASIC PROCEDURE FOR WRITING DBQ’S: DISSECT THE QUESTION OR PROMPT What does the prompt require? Use all of the information available. Use a table or chart to organize Universal categories Specific categories Group and link documents Develop a topic sentence Body paragraphs Fill-in sentences Develop a thesis and conclusion Links to prior knowledge