APUSH Themes

Theme 1: American & National Identity (NAT)

How and why definitions of American and national identity and values have developed among diverse and changing populations of North America. Ex. Racial/Ethnic identities, National identity: citizenship, constitutionalism, American Exceptionalism, Nationalism/Patriotism, Group Identities, Assimilation

Theme 2: Work, exchange/trade, and technology (WXT)

The factors behind the development of systems of economic exchange, particularly the role of technology, economic markets, and government. Ex. Agriculture, Commerce/Trade, Exchange, Labor Systems, Jobs/ways of working, Labor & Social Class, Economic developments, Land distribution, Trade patterns/exchange, Innovation, Technology, Transportation, Globalization of economic systems, Economic ideologies: Capitalism, free markets, Communism, Socialism, industrialization/Market Revolution

Theme 3: Geography & environment (GEO)

The role of geography and natural and human made environments on social and political developments Ex: Climate, Geography, Environment, natural and man-made, Interactions with the human made environment of what would be the United States, Natural resources, Exchanges: plants, disease, animals

Theme 4: Migrations and settlements (MIG)

Why and how the various people who moved to and within the state both adapted to and transformed their new social and physical environments Ex: Movement to, from and within the US, Nativism, Immigrant groups impact on US society, Demography, Impact of European exploration on indigenous populations, debates over immigration

Theme 5: Politics and Power (PCE)

How different social and political groups have influenced society and government in the US and how political beliefs and institutions have changed over time. Ex: Constitution/interpretation, Role of the state in society, Political process, Role of the political party systems, Government and institutions changing over time, Struggles over Federalism, Federalism, state, and local government interaction, Liberty, Rights, Political beliefs, Democracy, Authority/power

Theme 6: America in the World (WOR)

Global Context, Interactions between nations the affected North American history in the colonial period and on the influence of the US on world affairs. Ex: Competition for resources, dominance, Foreign Policy/Diplomacy, Expansionism/Imperialism, Increasing global conflicts: World Wars, Motivations as world actors, Military and Economic involvement in the developing world

Theme 7: American and Regional Culture (ARC)

How and why national, regional, and group cultures developed and changed as well as how culture has shaped government policy and the economy. Ex: Ideologies, Religion, Art/Literature, Artistic expression of a group, Cultural Values of a group, Ideals, Morality, moral values of a specific group, Popular culture, Regional identity

Theme 8: Social Structures (SOC)

How and why systems of social organization develop and change as well as the impact these systems have on broader society. Gender, gender roles. Ex: Class, Religion, Cultural Values, Ideals