AP® U.S. History Primary Sources

The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is one of the most famous and influential memoirs in American history. It offers a fascinating look at the life and accomplishments of one of America's most important founding fathers and illuminates Benjamin Franklin's numerous contributions to science, politics, and diplomacy.

The journals from the Lewis and Clark expedition are some of the most important historical documents from the early years of the United States. They provide a detailed and vivid account of the first expedition to explore the western territories of the United States, and offer valuable insights into the landscape, wildlife, and indigenous peoples of the region.

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, is a powerfully written work that offers readers an unflinching look at the horrors of slavery. The narrative, which Douglass himself wrote, serves as both a personal account of his experiences as an enslaved person and a call to action for abolitionists.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letters from a Birmingham Jail" are historically significant because they represent a powerful defense of nonviolent resistance and a call for civil rights for African Americans.⁸ Inspiring and challenging readers even today, the letters are a passionate and persuasive defense of the values of justice, equality, and human dignity.

AP U.S. History Newspaper and Magazine Sources

Newspapers and magazines have played a significant role in the history of the United States, acting as the backbone of free speech and reporting for the American press. Newspaper and magazine articles can provide a unique perspective on historical events, offering a glimpse into the social and cultural context of a specific time period.³ By taking a close look at the articles published in newspapers and magazines of a given era, people can gain insights into the attitudes, beliefs, and values of the time. Because of this, historians frequently use newspapers and magazines as primary sources in their work, which allows them to develop a more thorough understanding of the past.

The news article "Ten Days in a Mad-House" by Nellie Bly is known for its groundbreaking investigative journalism that exposed the inhumane conditions of a mental institution in the late 19th century.⁹ Bly's undercover reporting not only helped to bring about much-needed reforms to the treatment of mental health patients but also inspired a new generation of female journalists to enter the field of investigative reporting.

The New York Times article, "The Wounded Knee Massacre," documents one of the most notorious instances of violence against Native Americans in U.S. history.¹⁰ The article highlights the unjust and inhumane treatment that the Lakota Sioux people endured at the hands of the U.S. government and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for Native American rights and recognition.

"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair is a novel that exposed the unsanitary and dangerous working conditions in the meatpacking industry in Chicago in the early 1900s. It was published as a serialized story in the socialist newspaper "Appeal to Reason" before being published as a book in 1906.¹¹ The book caused a public outcry and led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, which aimed to regulate the food industry and protect consumers.

It was the Washington Post's coverage of the Watergate scandal that helped expose Nixon's administration's wrongdoing and corruption, which ultimately forced his resignation.¹² The reporters' investigative work demonstrated the importance of a free and independent press in holding those in power accountable.

AP U.S. History Court Records

Historical court cases have shaped the legal and political landscape of the United States. Many of these cases, which have had a significant impact on American society, involved concerns like civil rights, free speech, and due process. In the famous 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education⁴, for example, segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional. This paved the way for the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Court cases are not only important for their legal outcomes, but also for the debates and discussions they inspire. They often serve as a reflection of the broader social and political context in which they arise.

Marbury v. Madison was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the concept of judicial review, giving the Court the power to strike down unconstitutional laws passed by Congress. This decision helped clarify the balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the American government.

The Dred Scott v. Sandford court case was significant in the lead-up to the Civil War as it declared that African Americans were not citizens and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. This decision fueled the abolitionist movement and contributed to the growing tensions between the North and the South.

The Plessy v. Ferguson court case established the "separate but equal" doctrine, which allowed racial segregation in public facilities as long as they were deemed equal in quality. The landmark Brown v. Board of Education case later overturned this decision.

The Brown v. Board of Education court case declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the Plessy v. Ferguson doctrine of "separate but equal." It sparked the Civil Rights Movement and inspired future legal challenges to segregation and discrimination practices in America.

The Miranda v. Arizona court case established the rule that anyone detained by the police who has been placed under arrest must be made aware of their right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present while being questioned. This decision ensured the protection of individual rights and has had a significant impact on criminal justice practices in the United States.

Roe v. Wade established the constitutional right to access safe and legal abortion in the United States. The decision had a significant impact on reproductive rights and has continued to spark debate and controversy to this day.

AP U.S. History Photographs

American historical photographs are important because they enable us to view and experience historical events that we otherwise would not be able to witness. They convey the spirit of a situation, individual, or event and can shed light on the social, political, and cultural atmosphere of the time.

Photographs also have the power to evoke emotion and convey meaning beyond words. They can provide visual evidence to support arguments and theories, as well as contribute to the understanding of the context in which events happened. American historical photographs are an important and valuable part of our cultural heritage, offering a window into the past and a way to understand the present.

The photograph "Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange is a significant image in American history as it has become an iconic representation of the Great Depression.¹³ The image shows a destitute mother and her children, showcasing the difficulties and struggles faced by many during this time, and has become a symbol of economic hardship during this tough time in history.

The photograph "Flag Raising on Iwo Jima" is from World War II and captures the moment when U.S. Marines raised the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.¹⁴ The photograph became a symbol of American courage and is regarded as one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.

The Civil Rights Movement's turning point was captured in the picture "Bloody Sunday," which shows state troopers brutally attacking nonviolent protesters on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The photograph, which depicts police beating and gassing protesters, served to increase public support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and to highlight the violence and systemic racism that Black Americans in the South endured.¹⁵