AP U.S. History (APUSH) Vocabulary Guide This is a comprehensive, organized list of key APUSH vocabulary terms by period. Period 1 (1491–1607) * Columbian Exchange: Transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Americas and the Old World. * Mercantilism: Economic theory that colonies exist to benefit the mother country. * Encomienda System: Spanish labor system using Native Americans. * Joint-Stock Company: Business owned by shareholders investing in exploration. Period 2 (1607–1754) * House of Burgesses: First representative assembly in the colonies. * Salutary Neglect: British policy of limited interference in colonies. * Great Awakening: Religious revival emphasizing personal faith. * Middle Passage: Voyage transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas. Period 3 (1754–1800) * French and Indian War: Conflict between Britain and France in North America. * Proclamation of 1763: Restricted colonial expansion west of Appalachians. * Republicanism: Belief in government based on citizen participation. * Articles of Confederation: First U.S. constitution. Period 4 (1800–1848) * Market Revolution: Expansion of markets and industrialization. * Manifest Destiny: Belief in U.S. expansion across the continent. * Second Great Awakening: Religious revival promoting reform movements. * Missouri Compromise: Balanced free and slave states. Period 5 (1844–1877) * Civil War: Conflict between Union and Confederacy. * Emancipation Proclamation: Freed slaves in Confederate states. * Reconstruction: Rebuilding the South after the Civil War. * 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery. Period 6 (1865–1898) * Gilded Age: Era of industrial growth and inequality. * Robber Barons: Wealthy industrialists accused of unethical practices. * Populist Movement: Farmers’ political movement. * Social Darwinism: Application of survival of the fittest to society. Period 7 (1890–1945) * Progressivism: Reform movement addressing social issues. * Imperialism: Expansion of U.S. influence abroad. * Great Depression: Economic crisis of the 1930s. * New Deal: FDR’s programs to combat the Depression. Period 8 (1945–1980) * Cold War: Tension between U.S. and Soviet Union. * Containment: Policy to stop spread of communism. * Civil Rights Movement: Movement to end racial segregation. * Vietnam War: Conflict in Southeast Asia. Period 9 (1980–Present) * Reaganomics: Supply-side economic policies. * Globalization: Increasing global interconnectedness. * War on Terror: U.S. response to terrorism after 9/11. * Affordable Care Act: Healthcare reform law

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and people between the Americas and the Old World.

Mercantilism

Economic theory that colonies exist to benefit the mother country.

Encomienda System

Spanish labor system using Native Americans.

Joint-Stock Company

Business owned by shareholders investing in exploration.

House of Burgesses

First representative assembly in the colonies.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of limited interference in colonies.

Great Awakening

Religious revival emphasizing personal faith.

Middle Passage

Voyage transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas.

French and Indian War

Conflict between Britain and France in North America.

Proclamation of 1763

Restricted colonial expansion west of Appalachians.

Republicanism

Belief in government based on citizen participation.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution.

Market Revolution

Expansion of markets and industrialization.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in U.S. expansion across the continent.

Second Great Awakening

Religious revival promoting reform movements.

Missouri Compromise

Balanced free and slave states.

Civil War

Conflict between Union and Confederacy.

Emancipation Proclamation

Freed slaves in Confederate states.

Reconstruction

Rebuilding the South after the Civil War.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

Gilded Age

Era of industrial growth and inequality.

Robber Barons

Wealthy industrialists accused of unethical practices.

Populist Movement

Farmers’ political movement.

Social Darwinism

Application of survival of the fittest to society.

Progressivism

Reform movement addressing social issues.

Imperialism

Expansion of U.S. influence abroad.

Great Depression

Economic crisis of the 1930s.

New Deal

FDR’s programs to combat the Depression.

Cold War

Tension between U.S. and Soviet Union.

Containment

Policy to stop spread of communism.

Civil Rights Movement

Movement to end racial segregation.

Vietnam War

Conflict in Southeast Asia.

Reaganomics

Supply-side economic policies.

Globalization

Increasing global interconnectedness.

War on Terror

U.S. response to terrorism after 9/11.

Affordable Care Act

Healthcare reform law.