APUSH Time Periods

Period 1 (1491–1607)

Covers Pre-Columbian societies up to Jamestown and focuses on early European expansion.

Period 2 (1607-1754)

Spans from Jamestown to the French and Indian War, highlighting colonial development.

Period 3 (1754-1800)

Encompasses the French and Indian War to Jefferson, focused on the Revolution and the New Republic.

Period 4 (1800-1848)

Covers Jefferson to the Mexican-American War, addressing themes of Democracy and Expansion.

Period 5 (1844-1877)

From Polk to the end of Reconstruction, focused on the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Period 6 (1865-1898)

Spans from Reconstruction to the Spanish-American War, focusing on Industrialization.

Period 7 (1890-1945)

Covers the closing of the Frontier to World War One, including Progressivism, the Great Depression, and WWII.

Period 8 (1945-1980)

Encompasses the end of World War Two to Ronald Reagan, highlighting the Cold War and Civil Rights.