To successfully write a DBQ short answer response, one must carefully read or examine the historical context from Part A, the document, and the question or questions associated with it.

The answer to these questions can often be located directly within the document. Other times, one must refer back to specific information given in the historical context of the DBQ.

It should be noted that the documents upon which short answer questions are based can be textual (e.g., speech, law, etc.) or visual (e.g., political cartoon, map, etc.).

View the examples of documents and short answer questions:
Direct DBQ Short Answer Question
Indirect DBQ Short Answer Question

Why are we in South Vietnam? We are there because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every American President has offered support to the people of South Vietnam. We have helped to build, and we have helped to defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help South Vietnam defend its independence. And I intend to keep our promise.

To dishonor that pledge, to abandon this small and brave nation to its enemy, and to the terror that must follow, would be an unforgivable wrong...

“STEP ON IT, DOC!”