AP® United States History Notes

A collection of flashcards based on the lecture notes covering key concepts in United States History for exam preparation.

What was the primary motive for Native American migration from Asia to the Americas?

Migration from Asia occurred due to the pursuit of resources and opportunity, crossing a land bridge.

What were the Mayas known for?

The Mayas were known for building remarkable cities in the rain forests of the Yucatán Peninsula.

What was the capital of the Aztec Empire?

The capital of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlán.

Which civilization was based in Peru?

The Incas were based in Peru.

What common traits did the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas share?

They had highly organized societies, extensive trade networks, and advanced calendars.

How did North American cultures differ from Central and South American cultures?

North American cultures were generally less populous and complex due to slower agricultural development.

What agricultural practice led to economic growth in Southwest Settlements?

Maize cultivation led to economic growth.

What is the significance of Cahokia?

Cahokia was a significant settlement near present-day East St. Louis, Illinois, with up to 30,000 inhabitants.

What social structure was featured in the Northeast Settlements?

The Iroquois Confederation was a powerful political union of tribes.

Which major European exploration factors led to increased contact with the Americas?

Renaissance humanism and advances in technology, including navigation tools.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

The 1494 treaty adjusted the papal line dividing the Americas between Spain and Portugal.

Who sponsored Columbus's voyages?

Spanish monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand sponsored Columbus's voyages.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The Columbian Exchange was the transfer of plants, animals, culture, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World.

How did the introduction of new crops affect Europe?

New crops like potatoes and corn transformed diets and spurred population growth.

What was the encomienda system?

A labor system where Spanish colonists were given control over native populations for labor.

What significant impact did slavery have during the Spanish colonial period?

Slavery facilitated the economic model for plantation agriculture in the Americas.

Who was Bartolomé de Las Casas?

A Spanish missionary who advocated for better treatment of Native Americans.

What distinguished the Spanish Caste System?

It classified people based on racial origin and ancestry, from pure Spaniards to natives.

What was the Valladolid Debate?

A debate about the treatment and rights of Native Americans, featuring Las Casas and Sepúlveda.

What characterized the British Colonization approach compared to the Spanish?

The British often settled in areas with lesser native populations and primary focus on economic gain.

What was the primary agricultural system for most Southern colonies?

The plantation system based on cash crops like tobacco.

What challenges faced farmers in the South post-Civil War?

Farmers faced falling crop prices and a cycle of debt.

What role did the Grange Movement play?

It organized farmers to collectively address economic and political issues.

What led to the establishment of the National Labor Federation?

A response to the desire for improved labor conditions and rights.

What was 'rugged individualism'?

A belief in self-reliance, embodying America's spirit of capitalism.

What was the significance of the 19th Amendment?

It granted women the right to vote in the United States.

What were the primary goals of the Progressive movement?

The goals included addressing social injustices, enhancing democracy, and reforming government.

What was the significance of the 'Square Deal'?

Roosevelt's domestic policy aiming for fairness and equality in economic opportunities.

What was the focus of modernism?

An intellectual movement that emphasized new ideas and scientific approaches.

What prompted the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression?

Drought conditions combined with agricultural overproduction caused severe soil erosion.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A U.S. initiative to aid European recovery post-World War II.

What did the GI Bill accomplish?

Provided educational benefits and housing assistance for returning World War II veterans.

What was the impact of the Lend-Lease Act?

It allowed the U.S. to supply Allies with military equipment during World War II.

Who was the first African American to play Major League Baseball?

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947.

What was the significance of Brown v. Board of Education?

It declared segregated schools unconstitutional.

What was the result of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

It ended segregation in public facilities and prohibited employment discrimination.

What did the 24th Amendment achieve?

It abolished poll taxes in federal elections.

What sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Rosa Parks's arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger.

What was the significance of the March on Washington?

It was a pivotal civil rights event where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech.

What was the main purpose of the Freedom Rides?

To challenge segregation in bus terminals in the South.

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade (1973)?

It affirmed the constitutional right to abortion.

What was the goal of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

To guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?

It prohibited racial discrimination in voting.

What was the main message behind the 'Double V' campaign?

Victory over fascism abroad and victory over racial inequality at home.

Who were the key figures of the women's rights movement in the 1960s?

Betty Friedan, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

What led to the decline of the Progressive movement?

World War I shifted the focus away from domestic reforms.

What did the Iran Hostage Crisis symbolize?

The struggles of American foreign policy and national security interests during the late 20th century.

What does détente refer to in Cold War context?

The easing of tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

What was the main purpose of the Marshall Plan?

To rebuild European economies after World War II and prevent the spread of communism.

Why was the Berlin Wall significant?

It symbolized the division of East and West during the Cold War.

What were two major outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles?

It imposed harsh penalties on Germany and led to the creation of the League of Nations.

What was the significance of the 13th Amendment?

It abolished slavery in the United States.

What were the implications of the Emancipation Proclamation?

It shifted the focus of the Civil War to include the abolition of slavery.

What function did the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 serve?

They imposed military governance on the South for reconstruction.

What major social change did the Great Migration represent?

It involved the relocation of African Americans from the rural South to urban centers in the North.

What did the New Deal aim to achieve?

To provide relief, recovery, and reform in response to the Great Depression.

What landmark legislation did Lyndon B. Johnson pass in the 1960s?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Who was venerated for their contributions to American literature during the Harlem Renaissance?

Langston Hughes was a notable figure from the Harlem Renaissance.

What was one of the key issues that led to the Civil War?

The expansion of slavery into western territories.

What impact did the Dust Bowl have on American migration?

It led to a large-scale migration of displaced farmers seeking better opportunities.

What was a major consequence of the Watergate scandal?

It resulted in a decline of public trust in government.

What was the significance of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

It provided President Johnson the authority to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.

What characterized the economic recovery during the 1980s?

It included tax cuts and increased government spending, leading to economic growth.

What was the historical context of the Cold War?

An ideological struggle between capitalism (U.S.) and communism (Soviet Union) after World War II.

What were the primary themes of American literature during the Gilded Age?

Themes included social criticism of urbanization, industrial capitalism, and advocacy for social reform.

What was significant about the Women's March on Washington?

It was a historic demonstration for women's rights and equality.

How did the Cold War impact U.S. foreign policy?

It influenced military interventions, alliances, and diplomatic relations globally.