Free AP US History Tests
APUSH Short Answer Question Example 2
After answering question 2 from our APUSH Short Answer Questions, scroll down to read a sample response. Our APUSH SAQ example will show you exactly what a great answer looks like. We have also included a detailed explanation of the scoring.
2. Read the excerpt provided and then respond to parts a, b, and c.
Meanwhile, “the plot thickens” — the evil spreads. Large demands are made on the national treasury (to wit: the poor man’s pockets) … The loss of thousands of her own men, and the slaughter of tens of thousands of the sons and daughters of Mexico, have rather given edge than dullness to our appetite for fiery conflict and plunder. … We know where to find the so-called Democrats. They are the accustomed panderers to slaveholders: nothing is either too mean, too dirty, or infamous for them, when commanded by the merciless man stealers of our country. No one expects anything honorable or decent from that party, touching human rights. They annexed Texas under the plea of extending the area of freedom. They elected James K. Polk, the slaveholder, as the friend of freedom; and they have backed him up in his Presidential falsehoods.
— Frederick Douglass, “War with Mexico,” North Star, January 21, 1848.
a. Briefly describe the point of view of this excerpt.
b. Briefly describe how one specific historical event or development between 1800 and 1844 led to historical developments such as those depicted in the excerpt.
c. Briefly describe how one specific historical event or development between 1844 and 1877 resulted from developments such as those depicted in the excerpt.
Sample Perfect Answer
a. This is a primary source written in first-person perspective by formerly enslaved abolitionist Frederick Douglas in which he is criticizing America’s role in the Mexican-American War. He criticizes the American annexation of Texas because he feels that the Democratic party did it to expand slavery. He criticizes the election of James K. Polk as president because Polk supported slavery.
b. As the United States expanded westward in line with the goal of Manifest Destiny, the nation began to add more territories and states. This expansion caused a conflict over whether the new states would enter the Union as free states outlawing slavery or states that would support slavery. People like Douglas were concerned about adding slave states to the Union and thus tipping the balance of power toward states that supported the institution of slavery.
c. As a result of the Mexican-American War, the United States acquired the territory known as the Mexican Cession. This newly acquired land reignited the debate about the balance of power between free and slave states. This debate helped lead to the Compromise of 1850 in an effort to find a workable outcome for both free and slave states that would avoid civil war. Unfortunately, the debate continued during the westward expansion and ultimately lead to the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865.
How SAQ Example 2 Earns a Perfect Score
The sample response earns all three points based on the APUSH SAQ rubric. In part (a), it correctly identifies Frederick Douglass’s abolitionist perspective, highlighting his opposition to the Mexican-American War and belief that it was driven by the Democratic Party’s desire to expand slavery. His criticism of the Texas annexation and President Polk is clearly explained, earning 1 point.
In part (b), the response links the westward expansion of the U.S. to the growing conflict over slavery. As new territories were added, debates arose over whether they would allow slavery, which heightened sectional tensions. This explanation effectively connects Manifest Destiny to Douglass’s concerns and earns 1 point.
In part (c), the response describes how the Mexican Cession reignited the free vs. slave state debate, leading to the Compromise of 1850 and the eventual outbreak of the Civil War. The response demonstrates a clear cause-and-effect relationship and earns 1 point.
This response earns a perfect 3/3 score by fully addressing the prompt with relevant historical evidence while maintaining clarity and conciseness.
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