A.P. U n i t e d S t a t e s H i s t o ry F i n a l E x a m R e v i e w

Comprehensive vocabulary terms and concepts for an AP United States History Final Exam Review, based on the course's major historical eras.

T h e C o l u m b i a n E x c h a n g e

The global transfer of plants, animals, culture, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

J o i n t S t o c k C o m p a n i e s

A business entity where different stocks can be bought and owned by shareholders, used to fund early colonial ventures.

E n g l i s h , F r e n c h , a n d S p a n i s h S e t t l e m e n t s

The distinct colonization models used by major European powers in the New World, emphasizing agriculture, trade, and conquest respectively.

C o l o n i a l t r a i t s ; R e l i g i o u s , e c o n o m i c , p o l i t i c a l

The distinguishing features that defined the social, financial, and governmental structures of the early American colonies.

J a m e s t o w n

The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in Virginia in 1607.

T h e M a s s a c h u s e t t s B a y C o l o n y

An English settlement established in 1630 by Puritans seeking religious freedom in New England.

M i d d l e P a s s a g e

The forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World.

Tr i a n g u l a r Tr a d e

European ships carried manufactured goods (textiles, firearms, and alcohol) to West Africa, trading them for enslaved people. enslaved Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic in horrific conditions. They were sold in the Americas to work on plantations. Raw materials produced by enslaved labor (sugar, tobacco, cotton, and molasses) were shipped back to Europe to supply manufacturing

T h e E n l i g h t e n m e n t

An 18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individualism over tradition.

T h e G r e a t Aw a k e n i n g

A series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s.

C o l o n i a l S c i e n c e

The study and application of scientific principles and natural philosophy within the American colonies.

T h e A l b a n y P l a n

A proposal suggested by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies.

C a u s e s a n d R e s u l t s o f t h e F r e n c h a n d I n d i a n Wa r

A conflict between Britain and France in North America that resulted in British dominance and increased colonial taxation.

T h e P r o c l a m a t i o n o f 1 7 6 3

A British decree that prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

L e x i n g t o n a n d C o n c o r d

The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War in 1775.

S a r a t o g a

A turning point in the American Revolution where the American victory convinced France to support the colonies.

Yo r k t o w n

The site of the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War where the British surrendered in 1781.

T h e m aj o r p o i n t s t o t h e D e c l a r a t i o n o f I n d e p e n d e n c e

The core arguments for colonial separation from Britain, including natural rights and the list of grievances against King George III.

T h e G r e a t C o m p r o m i s e

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

T h e F e d e r a l i s t P ap e r s

A series of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay arguing for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

H a m i l t o n ’ s F u n d i n g A c t o f 1 7 9 0

A plan for the federal government to assume state debts and establish national credit.

T h e X Y Z A ffa i r

A diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that led to the undeclared Quasi-War.

T h e Vi r g i n i a a n d K e n tu c ky R e s o l u t i o n s

Political statements in which Virginia and Kentucky legislatures took the position that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.

T h e E l e c t i o n o f 1 8 0 0

The 'Revolution of 1800' which saw the peaceful transfer of power from the Federalist Party to the Democratic-Republican Party.

J o h n M a r s h a l l

The fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court whose rulings established the principle of judicial review.

J e ffe r s o n a n d t h e L o u i s i a n a P u r c h a s e

The acquisition of the Louisiana territory by the United States from France in 1803, doubling the size of the nation.

T h e J e ffe r s o n E m b a r g o

The Embargo Act of 1807 that prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports.

M a c o n ’ s B i l l # 2

An 1810 law that reopened trade with Britain and France but promised to reimpose restrictions if either nation continued to violate American neutrality.

C a u s e s a n d R e s u l t s o f t h e Wa r o f 1 8 1 2

A conflict between the U.S. and Britain caused by maritime disputes and western expansion, resulting in increased nationalism.

T h e B a t t l e o f N e w O r l e a n s

A major American victory led by Andrew Jackson at the end of the War of 1812.

T h e E r a o f G o o d F e e l i n g s

A period in U.S. political history after the War of 1812 characterized by a sense of national purpose and desire for unity among Americans.

T h e M i s s o u r i C o m p r o m i s e

An 1820 agreement meant to balance the power between slave and free states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

M a rb u ry v. M a d i s o n

The 1803 Supreme Court case that established the power of judicial review.

T h e C o rrup t B a r g a i n

An alleged deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to throw the Election of 1824 in Adams' favor.

A n d r e w J a c k s o n

The 7th President of the U.S. known for his opposition to the National Bank and the policy of Indian Removal.

T h e N u l l i fi c a t i o n C r i s i s

A confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over the state's attempt to declare federal tariffs unconstitutional.

Wo r c e s t e r v. G e o r g i a

An 1832 Supreme Court case ruling that the Cherokee nation was a distinct political community in which the laws of Georgia could have no force.

N i c h o l a s B i d d l e

The president of the Second Bank of the United States who fought against Andrew Jackson during the Bank War.

K i n g C o t t o n

A slogan used by Southerners to support secession by arguing that their cotton exports would make an independent Confederacy economically viable.

T h e Ta s k S y s t e m

A method of organizing enslaved labor where individuals were assigned specific daily jobs and could use left-over time for their own purposes.

T h e G a n g S y s t e m

A system of division of labor within slavery where groups were forced to work together under the constant supervision of an overseer.

T h e s o u t h e rn d e fe n s e o f s l a v e ry

The various arguments used by Southerners to justify the institution of slavery as a 'positive good.'

A n t e b e l l u m s o c i a l i s s u e s

The various internal conflicts and movements in the U.S. prior to the Civil War, including abolition, temperance, and women's rights.

T h e L a n d A c q u i s i t i o n s o f J a m e s K. P o l k

The expansion of U.S. territory under President Polk, including the Oregon Territory and lands gained from the Mexican-American War.

T h e C o m p r o m i s e o f 1 8 5 0

A set of five laws that attempted to resolve disputes over slavery in new territories, including a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

B l e e d i n g K a n s a s

A period of violent conflict in the Kansas Territory between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers.

S c o t t v S a n fo r d

The 1857 Supreme Court ruling that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in U.S. territories.

T h e s e c e s s i o n c r i s i s

The series of events leading to the withdrawal of several Southern states from the Union following the election of Abraham Lincoln.

T h e A n a c o n d a P l a n

The Union's strategic plan to defeat the Confederacy by blockading Southern ports and controlling the Mississippi River.

T h e E m a n c i p a t i o n P r o c l a m a t i o n

The 1863 executive order by Abraham Lincoln declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free.

L i n c o l n a n d R e c o n s t ru c t i o n

Lincoln's 'Ten Percent Plan' which sought a lenient and rapid reintegration of Southern states into the Union.

R e c o n s t ru c t i o n P l a n s

Varying approaches to rebuilding the South and integrating former slaves, ranging from Presidential to Radical Congressional plans.

A n d r e w J o h n s o n a n d I m p e a c h m e n t

The trial of President Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act amidst a struggle over Reconstruction policy.

T h e R e c o n s t ru c t i o n A m e n d m e n t s

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and provided voting rights.

C o m p r o m i s e o f 1 8 7 7

An unwritten deal that settled the 1876 presidential election and resulted in the end of Reconstruction and the removal of federal troops from the South.

I n du s t r i a l M o g u l s

Powerful business leaders and entrepreneurs of the Gilded Age, such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.

Ve r t i c a l a n d H o r i z o n t a l I n t e g r a t i o n o f B u s i n e s s

Marketing strategies where a company controls all phases of production (vertical) or acquires competitors within the same industry (horizontal).

M e t h o d s u s e d t o e l i m i n a t e c o m p e t i t i o n

Tactics like forming trusts, pools, and monopolies used by Gilded Age businesses to dominate markets.

Ta y l o r i s m

A system of scientific management developed to improve economic efficiency and labor productivity.

T h e A m e r i c a n F e d e r a t i o n o f L a b o r

A national federation of labor unions founded by Samuel Gompers that focused on 'bread and butter' issues for skilled workers.

T h e Kn i g h t s o f L a b o r

An early labor organization that sought to include all workers in one big union, regardless of skill level or gender.

T h e H o m e s t e a d S t r i k e

A violent 1892 industrial lockout and strike at the Homestead steel mill in Pennsylvania.

T h e P u l l m a n S t r i k e

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894 that was ended by federal intervention and troops.

T h e m a k e up o f t h e G i l d e d A g e c i t y

The structure of rising urban centers characterized by rapid growth, immigrant enclaves, and stark wealth divisions.

T h e P e n d l e t o n A c t

An 1883 federal law establishing that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit rather than political affiliation.

T h e I n t e r s t a t e C o m m e r c e A c t

An 1887 law designed to regulate the railroad industry and its monopolistic practices.

T h e D a w e s S e v e r a l t y A c t

An 1887 law intended to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream society by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments.

Te r m i n a t i o n P o l i c y

The U.S. government policy from the 1940s through the 1960s intended to end the government's recognition of sovereignty for Native American tribes.

T h e C r i m e o f 1 8 7 3

The Coinage Act of 1873, which ended the silver dollar and established a gold standard, much to the dismay of farmers and debtors.

T h e P e n d l e t o n A c t

A law enacted in 1883 that significantly reduced the spoils system by requiring civil service exams for certain government positions.

C o x e y ’ s A r m y

A protest march by unemployed workers, led by Jacob Coxey, in 1894 during a severe economic depression.

S h e r m a n A n t i t ru s t A c t

The first federal act that outlawed monopolistic business practices.

U n r e s t r i c t e d S ub m a r i n e Wa r fa r e a n d t h e Z i m m e r m a n Te l e g r a m

Key factors that led to U.S. entry into World War I, involving German U-boat attacks and a secret proposal to Mexico.

Wi l s o n ’ s 1 4 P o i n t s

President Woodrow Wilson's plan for world peace and international cooperation following World War I.

B u y i n g S t o c k s “ o n m a r g i n ”

The practice of purchasing stock with a small down payment and borrowing the rest, a major contributor to the stock market crash.

T h e N e w D e a l

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's series of programs and projects designed to provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression.

The N.I.R.A.

The National Industrial Recovery Act, a New Deal agency authorized to regulate industry and labor standards.

The A.A.A.

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was a New Deal program aimed at raising farm prices by reducing surpluses.

The Social Se c u r i t y A c t

A 1935 New Deal law providing for general welfare by establishing federal old-age benefits and unemployment compensation.

Th e Ne u t r a l i ty A c t of 1 9 3 5

Legislation designed to keep the U.S. out of foreign wars by banning the sale of weapons to nations at war.

Th e Mu n i c h Co nfe re n c e

A 1938 meeting where European leaders followed a policy of appeasement by allowing Hitler to annex the Sudetenland.

L e n d - L e a s e

A program during WWII that allowed the U.S. to supply allies with war materials while remaining officially neutral.

Th e A t l a n t i c Ch a r t e r

A joint declaration released by FDR and Churchill in 1941 setting out goals for the post-war world.

D - D a y

The June 6, 1944, Allied invasion of Normandy, France, during World War II.

Is l a n d Hopp i n g

The U.S. military strategy in the Pacific theater of WWII, involving the capture of key islands to advance toward Japan.

Th e D e c is i o n t o u s e th e A t o m i c B o m b

The choice made by President Truman to drop nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.

T h e Ya l t a C o n fe r e n c e

A 1945 meeting between Allied leaders to discuss the post-war reorganization of Germany and Europe.

S a t e l l i t e S t a t e s

Nations in Eastern Europe that were formally independent but under the heavy political and economic influence of the Soviet Union.

T h e Tru m a n D o c t r i n e

A U.S. foreign policy stating that the United States would provide assistance to democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces.

T h e B e r l i n A i r l i ft

A 1948-1949 operation where the U.S. and allies flew supplies into West Berlin during a Soviet blockade.