AP US History Ultimate Study Guide

What marked the beginning of the Contact Period in the Americas?

Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492.

What did the Bering Land Bridge connect?

It connected Eurasia and North America, allowing the first inhabitants of the Americas to cross.

Who were the first known European explorers to reach North America before Columbus?

The Norse, who arrived in modern-day Canada around 1000.

What was one major cultural conflict between European settlers and Native Americans?

Differences in land use and ownership, as Europeans viewed land as a commodity while Native Americans saw it as a source of life.

What was the significance of the Columbian Exchange?

It involved the transfer of plants, animals, foods, and diseases between the Old World and the New World.

What economic system was prominent in colonial America according to mercantilism?

Colonies existed primarily for the economic benefit of the mother country, supplying raw materials and serving as markets for manufactured goods.

What was the main purpose of Spanish missions in the Americas?

To convert Native Americans to Christianity and establish Spanish colonial presence.

What was the result of the Stono Uprising in 1739?

The uprising led to increased fear of slave revolts and more stringent laws governing enslaved peoples.

What was the goal of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence?

To assert the colonies' desire for independence from British rule and establish a government based on the principles of individual liberty.

What was the major outcome of the Treaty of Paris in 1783?

It recognized the independence of the United States and established borders for the new nation.

What role did women play in the context of Republican Motherhood?

Women were seen as responsible for educating their children in civic virtue, thus playing a crucial role in shaping future citizens.

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do in 1863?

It declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states would be freed.

What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?

It was a turning point in the Civil War that marked the decline of Confederate fortunes.

What economic policies did the New Deal implement during the Great Depression?

It included programs for economic recovery, such as public works projects and financial reforms, aimed at providing relief for the unemployed.

What was the purpose of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

To eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans and secure their right to vote.

What did the policy of Detente aim to achieve during the Cold War?

It sought to ease tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union through diplomatic engagement.

What was the cause of the Watergate Scandal?

It originated from the Nixon administration's efforts to cover up its involvement in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

What led to the rise of neoliberalism under Reagan?

A belief in free-market principles, decreased government intervention in the economy, and prioritizing business interests.

How did the events of September 11, 2001, change U.S. foreign policy?

They led to increased military interventions in the Middle East, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

What was the main goal of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

To expand access to healthcare and reduce the number of uninsured Americans.