The AP United States History Exam is right around the corner. These next few weeks are the most stressful time of the year for most students. So, if you are going to procrastinate, you can procrastinate with style! Here is a list of movies, musicals, videos, ect. that came to mind while I was studying during the year. They are a lot of fun to watch, but they are educational, and most of them are free!
TV Shows:
Liberty’s Kids: a super cute, animated series that takes place during the American Revolution, and highlights some of its aftermath. There are 40 episodes, but each thirty minute episode is full of concrete details. Start watching the first episode here
Drunk History: Really funny with some topics not often discussed in the textbooks, but very relevant.
Jefferson vs Adams
Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin
The Alamo
War of 1812
Scopes Monkey Trial
Haymarket Riot
442nd Infantry and Japanese-Americans
Musicals
Hamilton: obviously this is a no-brainer. The music is full of concrete details and has helped me so much during my multiple choice practice tests dealing with early US development. You can listen to the full soundtrack here. Below is a shortened list of songs that have the most relevant concrete details.
The Schuyler Sisters: primary source mentions
Right Hand Man: early tactics and sentiments
Guns and Ships: get to know America’s favorite fighting Frenchman
The Battle of Yorktown
Non Stop: the Federalist Papers
Cabinet Battle #1: Hamilton’s financial plan
Cabinet Battle #2: international involvement
Washington on Your Side: first political parties
One Last Time: Washington’s Farewell Address
Dogfight: Probably my favorite musical. It’s one night in America during the Vietnam war, and there aren’t a ton of concrete details, but the parts here (starting at 1:19) and here (10:25) accurately reflect the time period. You can start watching the whole musical here. (warning: there is a lot of cursing)
Pocahontas: Okay, let me preface this by saying that there are a lot of inaccuracies in this movie. A lot. But if you disregard the portrayal of Pocahontas and John Smith, there are some CDs. Listen to the Virginia Company for some of the highlights.
EDIT (7/9/16) : Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson: Though there is some explicit language I picked out the songs that have some great concrete details on Jackson’s presidency and philosophies.
Populism Yea Yea: a helpful definition of populism
The Corrupt Bargain: this event always confused, and this song definitly clears it up (featuring Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and John Quincy Adams)
The Saddest Song: really sums up Jackson as a president in a different point of view
Videos:
Schoolhouse Rock: Reconnect with your childhood and refresh on some historical events!
Lexington and Concord
19th Amendment
American Inventions
US Expansion
The XYZ Affair: i
t may be weird, but you will definitely remember it
The Gadsden Purchase:
Never forget
So that’s my list. All of the links are italicized. If you have any movies/musicals/videos/songs/ect that you think would help feel free to message me and I will add it to list. Good luck to everyone on the test this Friday!
