APUSH Time Periods

1607 - mid1700’s

Colonization in America during the early 1700s (roughly 1700–1750) was marked by growth, diversity, and increasing tension — both among European powers and within the colonies themselves. Increased tension and conflicts with Native Americans & the beginnings of self-governance, including the establishment of colonial assemblies and the emergence of a distinct American identity.

mid1700’s - 1783

American Revolution was a war for independence fought by the 13 American colonies against Great Britain. It was the result of growing tensions over British taxes, lack of colonial representation, and increasing desire for self-rule.

1776 - 1789

Creating the Constitution, response to the failures of the original government under the Articles of Confederation, and it established the foundation of the American political system.

1789 - 1824

Establishing Political Power refers to how the new American government formed, gained legitimacy, and figured out how power would be shared and exercised after independence from Britain.

1820’s - 1850’s

Growth of Nation was a period when the United States expanded its territory, developed its economy, strengthened its national identity, and faced growing tensions over issues like slavery and Native American displacement.

1850’s - 1865

The American Civil War was a conflict between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy) primarily over the issues of slavery, states’ rights, and sectionalism. It was the deadliest war in U.S. history and fundamentally reshaped the nation.

1865 - 1877

Reconstruction - the era after the American Civil War when the U.S. tried to rebuild the South, reunite the nation, and define the rights of formerly enslaved people.

Late 1800’s

Industrialization and Urbanization - transformed the United States into a major industrial power, bringing rapid economic growth, technological innovation, and a massive shift in how and where Americans lived and worked.

1900 - 1920

Progressive Era & Becoming a World Power - a time of major change marked by progressive reforms, rapid industrial and social growth, and emerging global power as the U.S. entered World War I.

1920’s - 1930’s

Boom & Bust - the sharp contrast between the economic prosperity of the Roaring Twenties and the devastating collapse during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

1939 - 1945

World War II - a transformative moment for the U.S., as it shifted from a position of neutrality to becoming a major military and economic force in the Allied victory.

1950 - 1959

Fabulous 50’s - a decade of prosperity, social change, and cultural shifts in the United States. After World War II, the country experienced significant economic growth, technological advances, and the rise of consumer culture, while also dealing with underlying tensions of the era.

1950 - 1970

Civil Rights Movement - a struggle for social justice and equality for African Americans, seeking to end racial discrimination and gain civil rights. It was a pivotal period in U.S. history that led to significant changes in laws and society.

1960 - 1969

Stormy 60’s - a decade of intense social, political, and cultural upheaval in the United States. It was marked by the fight for civil rights, the Vietnam War, the rise of counterculture, and a deepening generational divide. The 1960s were both a time of significant progress and deep conflict.

1945 - 1990

The Cold War - marked by the ideological struggle between the United States (capitalism and democracy) and the Soviet Union (communism and totalitarianism). This conflict, known as the Cold War, did not involve direct military combat between the superpowers but was fought through proxy wars, espionage, political maneuvering, and economic competition.

1970 - 1979

Setback 70’s - a period marked by economic difficulties, political scandals, social changes, and international challenges. While the decade saw significant cultural shifts and progress in civil rights, it was also a time of disillusionment, as the nation dealt with economic stagnation, the fallout from the Vietnam War, and a major political crisis.

1970 - Present

Modern Era - the period following World War II, spanning the second half of the 20th century into the 21st century. This era is marked by dramatic shifts in American society, politics, economy, and foreign policy. It covers several important developments, including the Cold War, civil rights movements, the rise of technology, and America's role in global politics(globalization).

Democratic-Republicans

A political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that emerged in opposition to the Federalist Party, advocating for states' rights and agrarian interests in early 19th century America.

Election and Revolution of 1800

The pivotal election that resulted in Thomas Jefferson's victory over John Adams, marking the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the United States.

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

A policy used by Germany during World War I and II to sink merchant ships without warning, significantly impacting naval warfare and international relations.

21st Amendment

The constitutional amendment that repealed the 18th Amendment, thus ending Prohibition and allowing the legal sale of alcohol in the United States.

18th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that established Prohibition, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States.

First Great Awakening

a religious revival that swept through the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. It was characterized by widespread emotional religious experiences, itinerant preachers, and an emphasis on personal salvation.

Second Great Awakening

the second wave of religious revival, but it occurred in the post-Revolutionary War period, particularly during the early 19th century. It was more focused on social reform, individual responsibility, and moral living, and it had a larger impact on American society's structure.

George Washington Farewell Address

(1796) one of the most important documents in U.S. history. Delivered as he prepared to step down from the presidency after two terms, it offered crucial advice and guidance to the nation, particularly regarding the future direction of American political life.

War of 1812

a military conflict between the United States and the British Empire, with various contributing factors including trade restrictions, impressment of American sailors, and territorial disputes. It is often referred to as the "Second War of Independence" because it was essentially a continuation of the U.S. struggle to assert its sovereignty and maintain its independence from British influence.

Quasi Wars

a series of undeclared naval conflicts between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800. The term "quasi" means "almost" or "partially," reflecting that while the conflict was not formally declared as a war, it involved significant military hostilities. The Quasi-Wars were primarily fought in the Caribbean and along the American coast and were the result of rising tensions between the two countries following the French Revolution and the United States' decision to remain neutral in European conflicts.

Free Soil Movement

a political and social movement in the United States during the mid-19th century that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories acquired after the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). The movement sought to ensure that new territories and states would be free from slavery, and it was driven by a belief in the necessity of free labor and the idea that slavery was morally wrong, economically inefficient, and a barrier to the development of free white settlers in the West.

Compromise of 1850

a series of five laws passed by the United States Congress in 1850 aimed at resolving the growing tensions between the North and the South over issues related to slavery, territorial expansion, and states' rights. The compromise was designed to address the status of territories acquired after the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) and to ease the sectional conflict that was threatening to divide the nation.

Election of 1860

was a pivotal event that dramatically reshaped the nation's political landscape and set the stage for the Civil War. Held on November 6, 1860, it was marked by a deep national divide over the issue of slavery and states' rights. (Abraham Lincoln)

Election of 1876 & Compromise of 1877

election pitted Republican Rutherford B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio, against Democrat Samuel J. Tilden which led to the compromise of 1877 where Hayes became president in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops in the South, officially ending Reconstruction.

Key Inventions of the Gilded Age

The Telephone (1876) - Alexander Graham Bell

The Light Bulb (1879) - Thomas Edison

The Phonograph (1877) - Thomas Edison

The Typewriter (1868) - Christopher Latham Sholes

The Assembly Line (1870s) - Henry Ford

The Electric Motor (1873) - George Westinghouse

The Internal Combustion Engine (1870s) - Various Inventors

Ellis Island & Angel Island

Ellis Island is often seen as the symbol of immigration to the United States, particularly for Europeans seeking better opportunities. Angel Island, on the other hand, reflects the struggles faced by Asian immigrants, especially due to discriminatory laws.

Plains Indian Wars

a series of conflicts fought between Native American tribes of the Great Plains and the United States government, primarily in the second half of the 19th century. These wars were part of the broader struggle for control over land and resources in the western United States, as settlers, the U.S. Army, and Native American tribes clashed during the westward expansion of the United States.

Yalta Conference

main purpose of the Yalta Conference was to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe and the world, particularly focusing on the aftermath of the war in Europe and the Pacific. The leaders met to shape the future of the war and to ensure cooperation among the Allies after the defeat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

Rosie the Riveter

a cultural icon that represents women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II in the United States. These women took on jobs traditionally held by men, as the male workforce was depleted due to military service. "Rosie the Riveter" came to symbolize the strength, determination, and patriotism of American women during the war.

HUAC

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that was created in 1938 to investigate suspected disloyalty, subversion, or communist influence within the United States. It played a significant role in the Red Scare periods of the 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of World War II and during the Cold War, as fears about communism and Soviet espionage heightened.

Great Society

a set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice in the United States. It sought to improve the quality of life for all Americans through government intervention in areas such as civil rights, education, healthcare, and welfare.

The Feminine Mystique

a groundbreaking book written by Betty Friedan, first published in 1963. It is widely regarded as one of the key texts that sparked the second-wave feminist movement in the United States. In the book, Friedan critiques the societal norms and expectations that confined women to the roles of wife and mother during the mid-20th century, particularly the idealized image of women as domestic caregivers.

Silent Spring

a landmark book written by Rachel Carson, first published in 1962. The book raised awareness about the dangers of widespread pesticide use, particularly DDT, and its harmful effects on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Carson's work is credited with launching the environmental movement in the United States and around the world, highlighting the need for responsible ecological stewardship.

Liberal —> Democrats

liberalism emphasized:

Individual rights

Limited government

Free markets

Personal freedoms (such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press)

Bill Clinton’s presidency (1993-2001), which embraced a more centrist "New Democratic" approach. Clinton's policies included economic growth through free-market policies, welfare reform, and balancing the federal budget, while still maintaining a focus on social issues like healthcare and education.

In the 2000s and 2010s, liberalism in the Democratic Party was characterized by support for universal healthcare (culminating in the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare under Barack Obama), LGBTQ+ rights, climate change action, and economic equality through progressive taxation.

Conservative —> Republicans

based on the belief in maintaining traditional institutions, values, and social structures, with a focus on individual liberty, limited government, and a free-market economy. While the ideology may adapt to changing times, conservatives generally seek to preserve the stability, order, and freedoms that they believe are essential for a well-functioning society.

free-market economics, limited government, traditional social values, strong national defense, and individual freedoms

Key Inventions in the Modern Era that led to Globalization and change

• television

• radio

• computer and internet

• container ship