2016-17 APUSH Summer AssignmentAnalysis of Hamilton: The Musical
Due: Wednesday August 24 2016 (first day of school)
Materials:
- Soundtrack to the Broadway musical Hamilton. If you do not wish to purchase a copy, the entire album can be found on YouTube or if you/your parents have Amazon Prime, the entire album is free of charge.
- Annotated lyrics for each song [ ]
- Track 1:
- Rest of the Album:
Part 2A: Listening Response Questions.
- Listen to the Hamilton soundtrack. We suggest you follow along with the lyrics included with the CD or the linked Annotated Lyrics page.
- Answer the following questions using the song (title in brackets) for reference. You will need to either type the answers in the given boxes (check the HHS website for a digital copy of this assignment) or will need to write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. [Alexander Hamilton] What hardships did Alexander Hamilton have to overcome in his early life?
2. [Aaron Burr, Sir] What things do Burr & Hamilton have in common? What is the fundamental difference between them?
3. [My Shot] What do each of Hamilton’s new friends (Lafayette, Laurens, Mulligan) want out of the Revolution?
4. [The Schuyler Sisters] What philosophical work has inspired Angelica Schuyler? What is her critique of Jefferson?
5. [Farmer Refuted] What are some reasons that some colonists disagree with the Revolution?
6. [You’ll Be Back] Why does King George feel justified in controlling the colonies?
7. [Right Hand Man] What challenges was George Washington facing during the war?
8. [Helpless] Who introduces Hamilton to Eliza Schuyler?
9. [Satisfied] Angelica gives three reasons why she cannot be with Hamilton. What are they?
10. [Stay Alive] Who did Washington promote to general rather than Hamilton?
11. [Ten Duel Commandments] List the 10 Duel Commandments.
12. [Meet Me Inside] Why does Washington refuse to give Hamilton a command?
13. [Guns and Ships] What was our secret weapon in defeating the British?
14. [Yorktown] How did Hercules Mulligan contribute to the victory at Yorktown?
15. [What Comes Next?] After the Revolution, England was also at war with which countries?
16. [Non-Stop] Why did Hamilton, Madison, and Jay write the Federalist Papers? How many did Hamilton write?
17. [Non-Stop] Washington appointed Hamilton to which cabinet position?
18. [What’d I Miss?] Washington appointed Jefferson to which cabinet position? What does that job entail?
19. [Cabinet Battle #1] According to the song, what are the arguments for and against a National Bank that would take on state debt?
20. [Take a Break] Why does Hamilton stay home while his family vacations upstate?
21. [Say No to This] Why does Hamilton begin sending money to James Reynolds?
22. [The Room Where it Happens] What was the agreement reached by Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison? In your opinion, which side got the better deal?
23. [Schuyler Defeated] Why did Burr switch political parties?
24. [Cabinet Battle #2] What are the arguments for and against sending aid to France? What does Washington decide?
25. [Washington On Your Side] Why does Jefferson resign from Washington’s Cabinet?
26. [One Last Time] Why does Washington decide not to run for a 3rd term as President?
27. [We Know] What do Burr, Jefferson, and Madison accuse Hamilton of doing? Was Hamilton guilty?
28. [Hurricane] Why does Hamilton decide to publish the details of his indiscretions?
29. [Blow Us All Away] Why does Philip Hamilton challenge George Eacker to a duel? What advice does Phillip get from his father?
30. [It’s Quiet Uptown] Why do you think Eliza finally forgives Hamilton at the end of this song?
31. [The Election of 1800] Which candidate does Hamilton choose to support? Why?
32. [Your Obedient Servant] Which person calls for the duel?
33. [The World Was Wide Enough] Hamilton’s intentions at Weehawken, NJ have been disputed. Did Hamilton intend to kill Burr? Read through the lyrics as well as the annotations to gather evidence to support your opinion.
34. [Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story] According to the song, who is most responsible for what we know about Hamilton and his friends?
Part 2b: Song Investigation
Answer each question in your own words.
1. What is your favorite song from Act I?
2. Read the annotations for your favorite Act I song. What are three most interesting things you learned from the annotated lyrics?
1.2.
3.
3. What is your favorite song from Act II?
4. Read the annotations for your favorite Act II song. What are three most interesting things you learned from the annotated lyrics?
1.2.
3.
Part 2c: Character Analysis Questions
Answer each question in your own words.
1. Who is your favorite character?
2. Look up 10 interesting facts about the real person your character is based on.
3. Modern lyrics aside, does the musical accurately portray the spirit of your favorite character? Use evidence from your search to support your answer.
Part 2d: Conflict Chart
1. Create a visual chart or infographic (the type can be of your own choosing) that clearly shows all the various conflicts Hamilton has with other characters throughout the show. The viewer should be able to tell who was involved in each conflict and why they were in conflict. A finished product can be created digitally (GoogleDrawing, photoshop, etc) or by hand, but should look “finished” (full-color or ink, no pencil showing, easy to read, doesn’t appear to be completed the night before the first day of school).