LASALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL A.P. UNITED STATES HISTORY SUMMER READING 2014 SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT BOOK: American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph Ellis ISBN: 13: 978-0679764410 Kindle Availability: $10.99 Thomas Jefferson is best known as the author of the Declaration of Independence and the so-called “Apostle of Freedom” Historian Joseph Ellis presents a complex view of Jefferson in his book American Sphinx which examines the evolving and sometimes contradictory perspectives of a man who emerged from relative obscurity in 1775 to pen a document that has inspired the world. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Yet this ‘Apostle of Freedom’ was a slave owner and segregationist; defender of individual liberty and states’ rights who used Presidential power to serve his own ends; an ardent nationalist who attempted to subvert the independence of the Federal Judiciary; a symbol of the agrarian dream and the aristocracy of talent who lived the life of royalty at Monticello. Indeed, as Ellis entitles his work, Thomas Jefferson was an American ‘sphinx” who lived with deep secrecies, self-deceptions and moral incompatibilities with his own Declaration of Independence and with the principles of the American Revolution. Your task is first to explain the meaning of the title as it relates to Ellis’ work. What does it mean to be a ‘sphinx’ and how does it relate to Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence?(one essay of 5-7 sentences) Then second you are to apply this meaning to three areas within the work. This part of your work should be 3 separate essays of 3-5 paragraphs each. o Slavery Federalism and states’ rights o The Judiciary Act and the ‘midnight Judges o The meaning of Republicanism o The change in Jefferson’s ideas after he retired from public office o Pick one idea of your own All must analyze the issue of slavery and then choose 2 others among the points presented above to examine the political career of Thomas Jefferson as the ‘SPHINX’ you have defined. Third, in order to gain a greater understanding of Jefferson and his relationship to slavery and democracy, you are required to visit the Philadelphia Constitution Center at some point during the summer and view the exhibit Slavery At Jefferson’s Monticello. This visit should provide both visual and factual information regarding his life and the lives of his slaves. It would probably best if you attended with a classmate(s). o Choose an idea or a particular exhibit which impressed you during your visit and create a journal of your thoughts in 3-5 paragraphs which relates to your reading of Joseph Ellis’ work. Upon completion of your visit, you must include your ticket as well as your picture inside the Philadelphia Constitution Center. Your completed work is due on the first day of school. Good luck and have a great summer! LaSalle College High School History Department Joseph Colistra Bernard Fitzgerald John Young .