DBQ Tips

Thesis Presents 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.

Thesis Examples Manifest destiny and territorial expansion did more to divide the United States than unite the apparent unstable country during the time period of 1830-1860. Manifest Destiny and territorial expansion drastically divided the United States from 1830 to 1860 because of the expansion of slavery, but also from tension in the political parties, and dividing the people either to be pro-slavery or abolitionist.

Thesis Examples Manifest Destiny both united and divided the united States to certain extents. It united the United States through land expansion but divided it due to political reasoning's. When assessing the impact this territorial mindset had on the American people it is clear that to a large extent, Manifest Destiny and territorial expansion was directly responsible for the division among the United States at the time. This is because it furthered the debate on slavery, created internal conflict as well as with other nations, and resulted in societal differences.

Argument Development Develops and supports a cohesive argument that recognizes and accounts for historical complexity by explicitly illustrating relationships among historical evidence such as contradiction, corroboration, and/or qualification.

Suggested Outline- each body paragraph What is your POINT? (topic sentence, what your paragraph is about) What is your SUPPORT? (textual evidence in the form of a paraphrase, or any other important information that can support your point) What is your EXPLANATION? (explain how your support proves your Point; this is the How, Why, and So What?)

Document Analysis Utilizes the content of at least six of the documents to support the stated thesis or a relevant argument. Explains the significance of the author’s point of view, author’s purpose, historical context, and/or audience for at least four documents. By using his inaugural address, Polk knew the decision was not popular by any means. The author is President James Polk right after he was inaugurated to become President. He thinks that the United States needs Texas.

Contextualization Situates the argument by explaining the broader historical events, developments, or processes immediately relevant to the question (Setting the Scene Paragraph).

Contextualization= 1st Paragraph From 1830-1860 the United States was a delicate nation. The North and the South were dividing and growing deeper in their divisions, slavery was becoming more controversial, the population was increasing, and settlements westward were growing. New technology such as the railroad was developing and helping to increase communication throughout the entirety of the land. Another important development from this time period was the ideal of Manifest Destiny.

Evidence Beyond the Documents Provides an example or additional piece of specific evidence beyond those found in the documents to support or qualify the argument.

We brainstormed a list of options IN CLASS We brainstormed a list of options IN CLASS!!!! Must use as evidence to prove a point, not as background information.

Synthesis (2-3 Sentences in the Conclusion Paragraph) Extends the argument by explaining the connections between the argument and ONE of the following: A development in a different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area. 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)

Example While John Sullivan originally thought that it was American’s god given right to inhabit all of the land across America, it ultimately backfired for America as well as multiple nations across the world. The German Empire practiced the same idea of territorial expansion pre WW1. However, for German’s, going after a “Place in the Sun” actually set them on a path of demise and ultimately resulted in the empire falling at the end of WW1. The fall of the German Empire only foreshadows the failure and inability of territorial expansion for the United States. Thus, Manifest Destiny and territorial expansion backfired on the United States and only increased a division among the American people because it furthered the debate on slavery, created internal conflict as well as with other nations, and resulted in societal (political) differences and divides.

Tips Paraphrase the documents-don’t quote Complex thesis is better than a simple thesis Put the background information at the beginning of the 1st paragraph Put synthesis in conclusion paragraph Manifest Destiny does not require a “the” in front of it Check your capitalization “In my opinion” = NO STAY inside the time period Refer to our Presidents by their last names