Copy of AP Test Study Guide - Chronological

Aztec Empire

Large empire in central America that rivaled European powers in size and influence.

Incan Empire

Large empire in South America that also rivaled European powers.

Cahokia

Large pre-Columbian city near modern day St. Louis, recognized as a center of trade with labor and class differentiation.

Maize

Corn production that allowed Native American societies to settle in one place longer, paving the way for urbanization.

Clovis Technology

Use of flint for arrowheads that facilitated big game hunting.

Compass

New technology that helped Europeans gauge direction, allowing for longer travels.

Sugar

Cash crop that spurred European expansion.

Caravel

New type of ship that could sail more effectively into the wind.

Sextant

Navigational device that allowed for tracking global positioning.

Absolute Monarchs

Rulers with absolute power, competing with other monarchs.

Capitalism

Economic system based on free market that became part of European expansion.

Protestant Reformation

Religious movement initiated by Luther advocating faith alone for salvation; critiqued Catholic Church corruption.

Martin Luther

Leader of the Protestant Reformation who opposed certain Catholic practices.

John Calvin

Swiss theologian known for his doctrine of predestination.

Encomienda

Spanish labor system that utilized Native populations for labor.

Mercantilism

Economic system where colonies served the purpose of enriching the mother country.

Triangular Trade

Trade network between Africa, Europe, and the New World involving the exchange of goods, labor, and raw materials.

Slavery

Labor system that emerged in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in British America.

Headright System

Land distribution system that offered 50 acres to property owners who brought indentured servants.

Freedom Dues

Land given to indentured servants upon the completion of their service.

Jamestown

First permanent English settlement in America, notable for the introduction of tobacco cultivation.

Bacon's Rebellion

1676 uprising in Virginia that highlighted class tensions and led to a shift towards slavery.

Cash Crops

Crops like tobacco and sugar cultivated on large scales in the southern colonies.

Slave Codes

Laws that defined the rights of enslaved people and regulated their behavior.

Stono Rebellion

1739 slave uprising in South Carolina that prompted stricter controls on slavery.

Pilgrims

Puritan separatists who were among the first European settlers in America.

Puritans

Religious group aiming to purify the Anglican Church and retain its structure while eliminating remnants of Catholicism.

Half-Way Covenant

Puritan agreement allowing partial church membership for the children of baptized but unconverted individuals.

Salem Witch Trials

Series of judicial proceedings against alleged witches, reflecting societal conflicts and tensions.

John Winthrop

First governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for his vision of a 'City Upon a Hill'.

Rhode Island

Colony founded by Roger Williams as a haven for religious dissenters.

Quakers

Religious group known for their beliefs in tolerance and equality, particularly in Pennsylvania.

Commerce

Trade activity that thrived in middle colonies due to large ports like Philadelphia and New York.

House of Burgesses

First legislative assembly in Virginia, setting a precedent for representative government.

Town Meetings

Form of direct democracy practiced primarily in New England colonies.

Mayflower Compact

Agreement made by the Pilgrims to create a government in the New World.

Royal Governor

Appointed leader in a colony, usually representing the British crown.

3 Branches of Government

Framework for dividing government duties among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of non-interference in colonial affairs, allowing self-governance in the Americas.

First Great Awakening

Religious revival movement emphasizing personal faith and emotional engagement with religion.

George Whitefield

Evangelist promoting the First Great Awakening across the American colonies.

Old & New Lights

Terms distinguishing traditional churchgoers from revivalists during the Great Awakening.

Ft. Duquesne

Key French fortification in Pennsylvania sparking conflict between British and French forces.

Fall of Quebec

Turning point in the French and Indian War with British victory.

Proclamation of 1763

British declaration restricting colonial westward expansion after the French and Indian War.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

Native uprising against British rule following the French and Indian War.

Stamp Act

1765 tax on printed materials, leading to colonial protest and opposition.

Sugar Act

Tax on molasses aimed at raising revenue from the colonies.

Quartering Act

Requirement for colonies to provide housing for British troops.

Boston Massacre

Incident where British soldiers shot and killed several colonists, fueling anti-British sentiments.

Boston Tea Party

Protest against British taxation in which colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

Punitive laws passed in response to the Boston Tea Party, intensifying colonial resentment.

Opposition Thinkers

British intellectuals critical of government actions regarding taxation and representation.

Enlightenment

Philosophical movement inspiring ideas of democracy and governance in the U.S. republic.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating for government based on consent and protection of natural rights.

Continental Congress

Gathering of colonial delegates to coordinate resistance against British policies.

Quebec Act

Law asserting British authority in Canada, inciting anger among American colonists.

Admiralty Courts

Special courts used to try cases involving British laws, often viewed as unfair by colonists.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the American colonies' independence from British rule.

Saratoga

Major American victory in 1777 that secured French alliance during the American Revolution.

Franco-American Alliance

Agreement of military support between France and the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Yorktown

Final battle of the Revolutionary War leading to British surrender.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Document formally ending the Revolutionary War and recognizing American independence.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain, often facing persecution post-war.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for American independence.

Regulators

Groups voicing grievances against colonial authorities, demonstrating early American dissent.

Impeachment

Process of charging the President with misconduct, exemplified in the case of Andrew Johnson.

Whig Principles

Belief in limited central government and potential dangers of distant authorities.

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the United States establishing a confederation of states.

Shay’s Rebellion

Armed uprising in Massachusetts highlighting weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Northwest Ordinance

Legislation providing for the admission of new states and banning slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Federalism

System of government where power is divided between national and state authorities.

Checks & Balances

Mechanism ensuring no single government branch can dominate others.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Counterproposal for equal representation in a unicameral legislature.

Connecticut Compromise

Agreement blending the Virginia and New Jersey plans to shape the U.S. Congress.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual liberties.

Federalists

Political party advocating for a strong central government and the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of ratifying the Constitution, fearing centralized power.

Consent of the Governed

Philosophical principle that government legitimacy comes from the people's agreement.

Abolitionist Movement

Movement aimed at ending slavery in the United States.

Temperance Movement

Campaigns aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and its societal impacts.

Women’s Suffrage Movement

Fight for women's right to vote, culminating in the 19th Amendment.

Civil Service Reform

Efforts to ensure that government jobs are awarded based on merit rather than political connections.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Abolitionist novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted the harsh realities of slavery.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

National federation of labor unions aimed at improving wages and working conditions.

Socialism

Political theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership of production.

Hispanic Civil Rights Movement

Struggle of Latino Americans for social equality and political representation.

African American Civil Rights Movement

Struggle to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation aimed at eliminating barriers to voting for African Americans.

Women’s Rights Movement

Ongoing fight for equal rights and opportunities for women in all spheres of life.

Counterculture Movement

Rejection of conventional norms during the 1960s, promoting peace, love, and racial equality.

I Have a Dream Speech

Famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for racial harmony and justice.

Great Society

Domestic policy platform initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to eliminate poverty and racial injustice.

Vietnam War

Conflict in Southeast Asia where the U.S. intervened to prevent the spread of communism.

Watergate Scandal

Political scandal involving President Nixon and the break-in at Democratic headquarters.

Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Process initiated against President Clinton due to perjury and obstruction of justice.

9/11 Attacks

Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, leading to significant changes in U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

Islamophobia

Prejudice against Muslims and Islam, worsened significantly after the 9/11 attacks.