1. The LEQ
APWH: Beemon

2. The Essay (6 points Possible)
Students will choose one of two long essay questions to answer in writing.
The long essay requires that students demonstrate their ability to use historical evidence in crafting thoughtful historical argument.
Students will analyze an issue using the historical thinking skills of:
Argumentation
Periodization (turning point)
Analyzing Change and Continuity Over Time
Comparing and Contrasting
Causation
Responses should include a relevant thesis.
In the remainder of the essay, students should provide evidence in a manner that is convincing, thoughtful, and built on a sound knowledge of historical information relevant to the topic.
The Essay (6 points Possible)

3. MUST HAVES! Thesis Statement Application of Historical Thinking Skills
Support the argument with evidence
Synthesis
MUST HAVES!

4. Thesis Statement (1 point)
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.
Sample Q: Using specific examples, analyze causes of imperial expansion and consolidation in the period circa 600 BCE to 600 CE.
Acceptable Thesis:
While on opposite sides of the world, both the Roman Empire and China successfully created their powerful empires through a strong central government, technological advancements, and cultural unity.
Early China expanded by absorption of northern nomads and was able to consolidate and hold together because of their strong control on morals and religious background supporting government.
Unacceptable Thesis:
There were economic, political, and religious causes of imperial expansion and consolidation.
There were many causes of imperial expansion.
Empires grew because they had large armies and their neighbors did not.
Thesis Statement (1 point)

5. MUST HAVES! Application of Historical Thinking Skills Thesis Statement
Support the argument with evidence
Synthesis
MUST HAVES!

6. Application of Historical Thinking Skills (2 points)
Develop and support an argument that applies historical thinking skills as directed by the question.
Basically, if it says COMPARE, then be sure to talk about similarities and differences.
If it says CCOT, then be sure to find changes and continuities.
If it says argue a Turning Point, then provide examples about how it was a turning point.
If it asks to analyze causes, then analyze multiple causes.
Remember, answer WHY? Any chance you get.
One point for describing and a second point for explaining/analyzing.
Describing: Another example of something that would aid empire building would be religious justification. Not only did the emperors use God to justify their rule, some of them even made the people believe that they themselves were gods and forced the people to worship them.
Analyzing: This religious justification allowed for emperors to almost brainwash the people into believing that they were supposed to bin power, that God had chosen them. This allowed for the rulers of the empire to inflict many harsh taxes and laws on the people without very much opposition.
Application of Historical Thinking Skills (2 points)

7. MUST HAVES! Support the argument with evidence Thesis Statement
Application of Historical Thinking Skills
Support the argument with evidence
Synthesis
MUST HAVES!

8. Supporting the Argument with Evidence (2 points)
Need 3 pieces of relevant evidence to prove your thesis statement.
Must USE the evidence for effective substantiation
Cyrus the Great, Alexander of Macedon, Julius Caesar, Octavian Augustus, Shi Huangdi, Wudi Ashoka, Chadragupta Maurya
China’s use of Confucianism, Emperor worship of the Romans, Constantine’s conversion to Christianity
Roman roads, Great Wall, canals, Roman legion, use of Senate and consuls in Rome, bureaucrat advancements based on examination system
Supporting the Argument with Evidence (2 points)

9. MUST HAVES! Synthesis Thesis Statement
Application of Historical Thinking Skills
Support the argument with evidence
Synthesis
MUST HAVES!

10. Extend the argument by explaining the connections between the argument and ONCE 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 (political, economic, social, cultural intellectual)
A different discipline or field of inquiry (economics, government and politics, art history, or anthropology)
Examples: (must explain)
 Comparing the Roman Expansion to that the European expansion during the Age of Exploration
 “Like the Romans, all empires need to have a common religion to unify them and them purpose. This is seen for example in the Spanish and Portuguese empires in later periods.” (No Explanation)
 Connections between China’s need to control the rivers, which helps aid them in controlling the population (HEI connection)
 “The Romans were also lucky that their empire was based in the Mediterranean and their colonies faced each other across the Mediterranean.”
 Geography and demographics connections to population growth (control of empire)
 Throughout history, the rich have oppressed the poor, like the Romans did the people.”
Synthesis (1 point)

11. Evaluate the extent to which the emergence of Buddhism in the fifth century BCE can be considered a turning point in world history.
Evaluate the extent to which the emergence of Islam in the seventh century CE can be considered a turning point in world history.
Using specific examples, analyze causes of imperial expansion and consolidation in the period circa 600 BCE to 600 CE.
Using specific examples, analyze causes of imperial decline and collapse in the period circa 600 BCE to 600 CE.
Analyze changes and continuities in Indian Ocean trade between 600 CE CE.
Analyze changes and continuities in Trans-Saharan trade between CE.
Compare and contrast gender roles in two out of three of the following religions between Islam, Christianity, Buddhism
Compare and contrast the social stratification in two out of three of the following religions between Islam, Christianity, Buddhism
Sample LEQs