APUSH In a Nutshell

Federalists

Political party that advocated for a strong national government and supported the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Federalists who demanded a Bill of Rights and feared a strong national government.

Democratic Republicans

Political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that opposed Federalist policies.

Democratic Party

Political party evolved from the Democratic-Republicans advocating for a more progressive agenda.

Whigs

Political party formed in the 1830s that opposed the Democrats, advocating for modernization and reform.

Republican Party

Political party founded in the 1850s that promoted anti-slavery policies and economic modernization.

Free Soil Party

Political party that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories.

Know-Nothing Party

Nativist political party in the 1850s that opposed immigration and immigrant influence.

Populist Party

Political party representing the interests of farmers and laborers advocating for economic reforms.

Bull Moose Party

Progressive political party formed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 seeking reforms.

Dixiecrat Party

Southern Democratic Party that split from the Democrats in 1948 over civil rights issues.

American Independent Party

Political party founded in 1968 that emphasized states' rights and anti-establishment sentiments.

1800 Election Significance

Marked the first peaceful transition of power between political parties in the U.S.

1824 Election Significance

The first election decided by the House of Representatives under the 12th Amendment after no candidate won a majority.

1860 Election Significance

Led to the secession of Southern states after the election of Abraham Lincoln.

1876 Election Significance

Contested election that ended Reconstruction with the Compromise of 1877.

1896 Election Significance

The election that solidified the gold standard and marked the beginning of a new political era.

1912 Election Significance

A four-way contest that showcased progressive reforms and the splits in the Republican Party.

1932 Election Significance

Franklin D. Roosevelt's election during the Great Depression led to the New Deal reforms.

1960 Election Significance

First televised presidential debates which significantly impacted public perception and voting.

1980 Election Significance

Ronald Reagan's election representing a shift towards conservative policies.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Confirmed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and the implied powers of Congress.

Worcester v. Georgia

Affirmed the sovereignty of Native American nations but was largely ignored by the government.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Ruled that African Americans could not be American citizens and invalidated the Missouri Compromise.

Wabash Case

Limited the ability of states to regulate interstate commerce, affirming federal control.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Williams v. Mississippi

Upheld discriminatory voting practices against African Americans.

Lochner v. New York

Struck down a law regulating bakery work hours, emphasizing economic freedom.

Muller v. Oregon

Upheld a law limiting women's working hours based on their health and welfare.

Schenck v. United States

Established the 'clear and present danger' standard for restricting speech.

Schecter v. United States

Declared the National Industrial Recovery Act unconstitutional due to overreach of federal powers.

Korematsu v. United States

Upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as a wartime necessity.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Guaranteed the right to an attorney for criminal defendants unable to afford one.

Loving v. Virginia

Invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.

Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States

Affirmed the federal government's right to eliminate racial discrimination in public accommodations.

Miranda v. Arizona

Established the requirement that individuals taken into police custody be informed of their rights.

Engel v. Vitale

Struck down school-sponsored prayer as a violation of the Establishment Clause.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Protected students' rights to free speech in schools.

Roe v. Wade

Legalized abortion, asserting a woman's right to privacy.

U.S. v. Nixon

Limited executive privilege and upheld the principle that no one is above the law.

Lexington and Concord

First battles of the American Revolution, marking the start of armed conflict.

Trenton

A pivotal battle during the American Revolution where Washington achieved a surprise victory.

Saratoga

Turning point of the American Revolution, resulting in French support for the colonists.

Yorktown

Final battle of the American Revolution, leading to British surrender and American independence.

Washington D.C. (War of 1812)

Site of British burning during the War of 1812, symbolizing national vulnerability.

New Orleans

Decisive battle in the War of 1812 that boosted national pride and Andrew Jackson's fame.

Antietam / Sharpsburg

Bloodiest single-day battle in American history; led to the Emancipation Proclamation.

Vicksburg

Victory that split the Confederacy and gave Union control of the Mississippi River.

Gettysburg

Turning point battle of the Civil War with significant casualties; marked the decline of the Confederacy.

Pearl Harbor

Surprise Japanese attack that led to the U.S. entering World War II.

Midway

Decisive naval battle in World War II that shifted the balance of power in the Pacific.

Normandy

Site of D-Day invasion, marking the turning point in the European theater of World War II.

Tet Offensive

Major turning point in the Vietnam War showcasing the strength of the Viet Cong.

Triangle Trade

Transatlantic trade system involving the exchange of goods and enslaved people between three regions.

Great Awakening

Religious revival movement in the 18th century emphasizing individual piety.

Alien and Sedition Act

Laws passed in 1798 that restricted immigration and limited free speech.

Missouri Compromise

1820 agreement allowing Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining balance.

Seneca Falls Convention

First women's rights convention in 1848 that launched the movement for women's suffrage.

Second Great Awakening

Religious revival that sparked social reform movements including abolition and women's rights.

Transcendentalism

Philosophical movement emphasizing nature, individualism, and self-reliance.

Horace Mann

Pioneer of the public education movement advocating for universal school access.

Hudson River School

American art movement known for its landscapes and symbolizing the beauty of nature.

Compromise of 1850

Series of laws aimed at easing tensions over slavery but ultimately failed to resolve the issue.

Emancipation Proclamation

Order issued by Lincoln freeing slaves in rebelling Confederate states.

Dawes Severalty Act

Law aimed at assimilating Native Americans by allotting them individual plots of land.

Nativism

Political policy favoring native-born inhabitants over immigrants.

Hull House

Settlement house founded by Jane Addams to support immigrants and promote social reform.

Social Gospel

Movement advocating for social justice and addressing societal problems as a Christian duty.

Red Scare (1920s)

Period of anti-communist hysteria leading to widespread fear and government crackdowns.

Red Scare (1950s)

Era of heightened fear of communism in the U.S. leading to McCarthyism.

Immigration Act of 1921

Limited immigration to the U.S. based on national origins.

Immigration Act of 1924

Further restricted immigration; aimed to preserve ideal American homogeneity.

Little Rock – 1957

Event where federal troops enforced school integration amidst resistance.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Protest against racial segregation on public transportation led by Martin Luther King Jr.

1963 March on Washington

Civil rights rally emphasizing jobs and freedom, where MLK delivered his famous speech.

Stonewall Riots

Uprisings by LGBTQ+ individuals against police raids, pivotal in the gay rights movement.

Women’s Liberation Movement

Movement advocating for women's rights and equality across various social aspects.

AIM (American Indian Movement)

Civil rights organization focused on indigenous rights and issues.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees the right to due process and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

6th Amendment

Guarantees rights related to criminal prosecutions, like the right to an attorney.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Affirms that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution doesn’t deny others retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

11th Amendment

Limits lawsuits against states.

12th Amendment

Revised the procedure for electing the President and Vice President.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment

Allows Congress to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote.

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition).

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

20th Amendment

Changed the inauguration date for the President and Congress.