AP World History Summer Assignment (Mr. Fernandes)

Welcome to AP World History. The following material is a summer assignment for all students entering the course this coming school year. AP World History is a highly challenging course, there is an expected and necessary skill and knowledge level required to be successful in the course. This work is designed to prepare you for coursework that you will encounter throughout the school year.

The book you will read this summer will engage you in an adventure through the history of food’s impact on our world. When you are hanging out eating chips and salsa, taking a bite of your pizza, or enjoying a sweet frozen treat this summer, you will realize that there are historical forces at work that have put those foods in your pantry or freezer and onto your plate.

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An Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage

Here is a link to a PDF of the book if you absolutely cannot find a copy.

http://mrrangel.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/2/2/14228848/edible_history.pdf

In complete sentences, answer the following questions in 3-4 sentences each. Do not merely complete this assignment, focus on a deeper understanding, read for understanding, and focus on the provided directions. All responses are to be typed SIZE 12 Times New Roman font.

DUE DATE: First Day of School

Part 1: EDIBLE FOUNDATIONS OF CIVILIZATION

1. Analyze the statement that “the adoption of farming…was the worst mistake in the history of the human race.” Do you agree or disagree? Use the book to support your answer.

2. Describe the importance of the spread of farmers and their knowledge.

3. Analyze the statement that farming “has done more to change the world, and has had a greater impact on the environment, than any other human activity,” using the book to support your answer. (Do you agree or disagree?) Use the book to support your answer.

4. Visit: http://www.history.com/shows/mankind-the-story-of-all-of-us/videos/corn and answer: How was maize/corn important for early Central Americans?

Part 2: FOOD AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE

1. Describe how the stratification of society was made possible and how it transformed the nature of human existence.

2. Explain why people had previously regarded the accumulation of food and power to be so dangerous and destabilizing and why this eventually changed. 3. How/in what ways was food used to reveal power structures and control in civilizations? Give specific examples from the book.

4. Explain how the modern world is still connected by food.

Part 3: GLOBAL HIGHWAYS OF FOOD

1. Analyze the impact of spices on trade, geography and the spread of religion.

2. Describe the role that spices played with the spread of the plague.

3. Explain how spices influenced European exploration and colonial empires, giving specific examples from the book.

Part 4: FOOD, ENERGY AND INDUSTRIALIZATION

1. Summarize the spread of sugar cane and its role in the world events.

2. Trace the role of the potato in society and its impact on population size, government and economic policies.

3. Discuss the impact of bio-fuels on farming and food costs as well as on the environment.

Part 5: FOOD AS A WEAPON

1. Describe the impact of food on the American Revolution and the French Army under Napoleon.

2. Analyze the role of food in the American Civil War up through World War II and the Cold War (Berlin Airlift).

3. Explain how food has been and continues to be a way to make a political statement.

4. Visit: http://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels/videos/combat-food-tech and answer: Give a brief summary of the relationship between food and today’s wars?

Part 6: FOOD, POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

1.Analyze the impact of the Green Revolution on world economies and population.

2. Describe the Green Revolution and the problems with it. How might a second Green Revolution improve on those problems?

3. Summarize the Epilogue.

4. Visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKm2Ch3-Myg and answer: - What is a GMF/GMO? - Describe the positives and negatives of GMOs according to Bill Nye.

Exposition 1-2 pages, typed and double-spaced, size 12 font

Tom Standage said "everything that every person has ever done, throughout history, has literally been fueled by food."

Answer the following- Can we explain all human history through an evaluation of food? If you agree: provide at least three examples that support his argument. If you disagree or partially agree, can you think of examples that support Standage’s argument and other non-food innovations that have altered the course of history (remember to have at least three total examples)? *Your essay must have a solid thesis statement and substantial evidence (facts from the book or outside sources) to support your argument. The thesis statement is usually a single sentence at the end of your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The thesis directly answers the question by using at least three ideas that support your argument. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay (3 paragraphs), gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation. Then conclude your paper with a wrap-up paragraph that highlights the main points to your argument.

You MUST be specific:. Pull out facts or points from the book as well as outside resources. Specific examples in your paper are important for a strong argument. Don't be afraid to put your own spin on these facts by stating your opinion or spin on them and their importance!