What is this site?

Hello! My name is Arielle, and welcome to my web site! This site was created for Mrs. Richman's online AP U.S. History class, and is dedicated to my end-of-year project, known as a "Big DBQ." What is a Big DBQ? Well, "DBQ" stands for "Document-Based Question." On the Advanced Placement United States History test, students are given a history-related question and a set of documents to read. They are then asked to write an essay answering the question, using as evidence the documents and their own outside knowledge.

But what is a Big DBQ? Well, as I mentioned, this is our history class's end-of-year project. Each student is asked to create his or her own DBQ: we make up the question, find the documents, and finally write an essay answering the question. This way, we get a great review of history and get familiar with the DBQ format for the AP test.

As you probably guessed from the heading on my home page, my Big DBQ question relates to the evolution of American political parties. Specifically, my question is, "Describe how the evolution of political parties in America has reflected the central economic, social, and political issues of each era." Thus you will find on this web site fourteen documents related to political parties throughout American history, as well as my essay answering my question.

Nothing much else to add--I hope you enjoy this web site! Please feel free to use the documents on this site or the info in my essay to help your own research. Just be sure to give me credit if you quote my essay. Oh yes, and please sign my guest book!

Again, enjoy!