APUSH Terms

These terms are specifically mentioned in the APUSH course. Some are extra I found useful. Enjoy.

Columbian Exchange

widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World following Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century.

Joint Stock Companies

business entities where multiple investors share the risks and profits of colonial ventures, significant in funding overseas exploration and settlements.

Encomienda

a labor system that allowed Spanish settlers to demand tribute and forced labor from Indigenous populations in the Americas.

Metacom’s War (King Philip’s War)

1675-1676

The war arose from tensions over territorial expansion, resource competition, and the encroachment of colonists on Native American lands. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in American history and significantly impacted Native American resistance to colonization and resulted in the near destruction of several Native American tribes in New England.

Pueblo Revolt

a successful uprising by Pueblo people against Spanish colonial rule in 1680, aimed at reclaiming their religious practices and independence. It temporarily expelled the Spanish from the region.

Great Awakening

a series of religious revivals in the American colonies during the 18th century, emphasizing personal faith and emotional engagement in religion. It challenged traditional authority and led to increased religious freedom and diversity.

Enlightenment

an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over tradition and religious authority. It greatly influenced the development of political and philosophical thought in America and Europe.

Benjamin Franklin

an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers, known for his contributions to science, politics, and diplomacy. He was instrumental in the American Enlightenment and played a key role in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

George Washington

the first President of the United States and a key military leader during the American Revolutionary War. He set many precedents for the future office and was known for his leadership and commitment to republican values.

Washington’s Farewell Address

a message to the nation delivered by George Washington in 1796, warning against political parties and foreign alliances, while advising the importance of unity and the preservation of the Constitution.

Common Sense (By Thomas Paine)

a pamphlet published in 1776 that argued for American independence from Britain. It presented the case for the republican government and criticized monarchy, influencing public opinion significantly.

Declaration of Independence

a document adopted on July 4, 1776, proclaiming the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule. It outlined the principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed.

“Republican motherhood”

a concept that emerged in the early United States emphasizing the role of women in fostering civic virtue and educating future citizens, highlighting the importance of mothers in shaping a democratic society.

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which created a weak federal government and ultimately led to its replacement due to issues of governance. It established a confederation of sovereign states, giving more power to the states while limiting the federal government's authority.

Constitutional Convention - compromise

that led to the creation of a bicameral legislature, balancing the interests of both small and large states in representation.

Constitution

the supreme law of the United States, establishing the framework of the federal government and outlining the rights of citizens. It was ratified in 1788 and includes the Bill of Rights.

Federalist

supporters of the proposed Constitution who advocated for a strong central government and ratification.

• Loose construction of the Constit

• Favored National Bank

• Protective tariffs, powerful navy

• Favored British alliance

Hamilton

Anti-Federalists

opponents of the Constitution who feared that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty. They advocated for a Bill of Rights to protect citizens' freedoms.

• Strict construction of the Constitution

• Opposed National Bank, lower tariffs, favored French alliance.

• They believed in limited government powers and emphasized states' rights.

• Jefferson

Federalists Papers

a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and freedoms to citizens. These amendments were ratified in 1791, protecting rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

Northwest Ordiance

A law passed in 1787 that established a framework for governing the Northwest Territory and outlined the process for admitting new states to the Union. It included provisions for public education and the prohibition of slavery in the region.

President John Adam

The second President of the United States, he served from 1797 to 1801. A founding father and a leading advocate for independence, he also played a key role in developing the U.S. government and policies.

Democrats

• Led by Andrew Jackson

• Favors state rights

• Strict Construction of Constitution

• Opposed National bank and American system

• Pro Indian removal & Western Expansion

• Advocated for agriculture interests

Whigs

• Webster/Clay

• Favors strong federal government

• Loose construction of Constitution

• Pro US Bank, American System, and tariffs

• Opposed spoils system, Indian Removal & Western Expansion

Market Revolution

A major transformation in the economy of the United States during the early 19th century, characterized by the shift from agriculture to industrialization, the rise of factories, and the expansion of transportation systems.

• Agriculture, transportation, technological advances impacted this.

2nd Great Awakening

A religious revival movement in the early 19th century that encouraged individual piety, social reform, and the idea of perfectibility in society. It also spurred movements like abolition and women's rights.

Seneca Falls Convention

A significant early women's rights conference held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York. It produced the Declaration of Sentiments, which outlined grievances and demands for women's equality, including suffrage.

Louisiana Purchas

A land deal in 1803 between the United States and France, where the US acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of territory west of the Mississippi River, doubling the size of the nation.

Monroe Doctrine

A US foreign policy statement made in 1823 that opposed European colonialism in the Americas, asserting that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas would be seen as a hostile act against the US.

Missouri Compromise

A legislative agreement passed in 1820 aimed at maintaining the balance between free and slave states in the United States. It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state while Maine was admitted as a free state, establishing a line of latitude to separate free and slave territories.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that it was the divine right and destiny of the United States to expand across the North American continent, promoting westward expansion.

Mexican American War

A conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, resulting from the U.S. annexation of Texas and leading to significant territorial gains for the U.S., including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

Compromise of 1850

A series of legislative measures aimed at resolving tensions between slave and free states after the Mexican-American War. It admitted California as a free state, allowed new territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, and included a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

A law passed in 1854 that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing settlers to determine if they would allow slavery through popular sovereignty. This act led to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas".

Dred Scott Case

A landmark Supreme Court decision in 1857 that declared African Americans could not be American citizens and that Congress had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories. This ruling intensified national divisions over slavery.

Republican Party

founded in the 1850s as an anti-slavery political organization, emerging in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the expansion of slavery into new territories. Its platform attracted former Whigs, Free Soilers, and abolitionists.

Lincoln’s Election

refers to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, which resulted in his presidency and heightened tensions between Northern and Southern states over slavery, ultimately leading to the Civil War.

Free-Soil movement

A political movement in the mid-19th century that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories of the United States, advocating for free land and free labor.

Civil War

A conflict fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states (Union) and Southern states (Confederacy) primarily over issues including slavery and states' rights.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that freed slaves in the Confederate states, reshaping the purpose of the Civil War.

Gettysburg Proclamation

An address by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 that emphasized the principles of human equality and the importance of preserving the Union.

13th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, ratified in 1865.

14th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including former slaves, and ensured equal protection under the law, ratified in 1868.

15th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution that granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying this right based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, ratified in 1870.

Reconstruction

a significant period in American history following the Civil War from 1865 to 1877, aimed at rebuilding the nation and integrating formerly enslaved individuals into society. It involved the re-establishment of state governments in the South, the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments which abolished slavery and granted citizenship and voting rights to African Americans, respectively. Reconstruction faced many challenges, including resistance from Southern whites, the emergence of discriminatory laws known as Black Codes, and violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan. It focused on rebuilding the South.

“New South”

A term used to describe the Southern United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as it transitioned from an agrarian economy based on slavery to a more industrialized economy, emphasizing modernization and diversification.

Social Darwinism

An ideology that applied the principle of "survival of the fittest" to human societies, justifying social inequality and imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Gospel of Wealth

A concept popularized by Andrew Carnegie, advocating that the wealthy have a moral obligation to distribute their surplus wealth for the betterment of society, particularly through philanthropy.

People’s (Populist Party)

A political movement and party formed in the late 19th century that sought to represent the interests of farmers and laborers, advocating for economic reforms such as the regulation of railroads and the direct election of Senators.

Americanization

The process of assimilating immigrants into American culture by promoting the adoption of American values, language, and customs.

Jane Addams

A social reformer and activist, she co-founded Hull House in Chicago, which provided social and educational services to immigrants and the poor.

Plessy v Fergunson

an 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This ruling established legal justification for segregation in public facilities and reinforced Jim Crow laws.

Progressive Era

a period of social activism and political reform in the United States from the 1890s to the 1920s, aimed at addressing issues like corruption, inequality, and social injustices.

16th Amendment

Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census. This amendment was a significant step in raising federal revenue.

17th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, that established the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote, aiming to reduce corruption and increase democratic participation.

18th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, that prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, marking the beginning of Prohibition.

19th Amendment

An amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1920, that granted women the right to vote, significantly advancing gender equality in the electoral process.

Preservationists

Individuals advocating for the protection of natural environments from industrialization and development, emphasizing the importance of conserving land for future generations.

Conservationists

Individuals focused on the sustainable use and management of natural resources, balancing preservation and development for ecological health.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that occurred during the 1930s, characterized by massive unemployment, bank failures, and a significant decline in industrial production.

New Deal

The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, which lasted from 1933 to 1939. Its primary goals were to provide relief for the unemployed and those in financial distress, recover the economy, and reform the financial system to prevent a future depression. Major components included the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Social Security Act, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Franklin Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States, elected during the Great Depression, he implemented the New Deal to aid recovery and reform the U.S. economy.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, celebrating African American cultural expression and influencing literature, music, and art.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism and radical leftism in the United States, particularly after World War I and during the early Cold War, characterized by widespread anti-communist sentiments and government actions against perceived threats.

Nativism

The policy or belief that promotes the interests of native inhabitants over those of immigrants. Often focuses on preserving a specific cultural identity and can manifest in opposition to immigration. This viewpoint generally advocates for restriction of immigration to protect jobs and culture, often leading to discriminatory practices against newcomers.

Great Migration

The movement of approximately six million African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West between 1916 and 1970, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping Jim Crow laws.

Imperialism

A policy or ideology where a country extends its power and influence over other nations or territories, often through military force or diplomatic means, typically to exploit resources or establish control.

Anti Imperalism

The opposition to imperialism, advocating against the expansion of a nation's authority over foreign countries, often based on ethical, political, or economic grounds.

Spanish-American War

A conflict in 1898 between the United States and Spain, resulting in the U.S. gaining territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and solidifying its role as an emerging global power.

The Philippines Annexation/Interference with America

The United States' acquisition of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War in 1898, which was met with significant domestic and international controversy and led to a brutal conflict with Filipino nationalists seeking independence.

WW1

A global conflict from 1914 to 1918, involving many world powers, primarily attributed to militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism, resulting in significant political and social changes. The war was characterized by trench warfare and was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. It ended with the Treaty of Versailles, which redrew national boundaries and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.

Woodrow Wilson

The 28th president of the United States, who served from 1913 to 1921, and led the country through World War I. He is known for his Fourteen Points, advocating for self-determination and the establishment of the League of Nations.

Key Elements

• open diplomacy, freedom of the seas, free trade, arms reduction, and self-determination for nations

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that officially ended World War I in 1919, it placed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany while redrawing national borders in Europe and establishing the League of Nations. The treaty aimed to prevent future conflicts through international cooperation, though it faced criticism for its harsh terms and failure to achieve lasting peace.

Pearl Harbor

The surprise military attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States' entry into World War II.

Internment

The forced relocation and confinement of Japanese Americans during World War II, justified by the U.S. government as a national security measure.

Island Hopping

A military strategy used by the Allies in the Pacific Theater during World War II, focusing on capturing strategically important islands while bypassing others to gain control of the region. This approach allowed for efficient use of resources and aimed to approach Japan gradually by securing bases for further operations.

D-Day

June 6, 1944, the day during World War II when Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation, known as Operation Overlord, marked a significant turning point in the war against Nazi Germany.

Korean War

A conflict from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces primarily from the United States. It resulted in a stalemate and the continued division of Korea along the 38th parallel.

Vietnam War

A conflict in Vietnam from 1955 to 1975, involving North Vietnam and its communist allies against South Vietnam and the United States. This war resulted in significant loss of life and ultimately the fall of Saigon, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.

Détente

A period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, particularly in the 1970s, characterized by arms control agreements and diplomatic negotiations.

Martin Luther King Jr

A prominent leader in the American civil rights movement, known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his role in advancing civil rights through landmark events such as the March on Washington and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Brown v Board of Education

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, effectively overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A significant piece of legislation that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and aimed to end segregation in public places and employment.

Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society

A series of domestic programs launched in the 1960s aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice, including Medicaid, Medicare, and various education and environmental initiatives.

Sun Belt

A region in the southern United States that experienced significant population growth and economic development in the late 20th century, particularly in industries like technology and agriculture.

Ronald Reagan

The 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 to 1989, known for conservative policies, tax cuts, and the end of the Cold War. A key figure in the conservative movement, he emphasized deregulation, reduced government spending, and strengthened national defense during his presidency.

September 11, 2001

A series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda that targeted the United States, resulting in significant loss of life and leading to major changes in U.S. domestic and foreign policy.

War in Afghanistan and Iraq

The conflicts initiated by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks, aimed at dismantling terrorist organizations and promoting stability in the region. The wars resulted in long-term military engagements and significant political and social challenges.