AP US History Study Guide

important definitions and events from period 1 through period 9

Period 1

1491-1607

Columbian Exchange

The transmission and interchange of plants, animals, diseases, cultures, human populations (including slaves), and technologies between the New World and the Old World. Greatly benefited Europe and Asia while simultaneously bringing catastrophe to American Indian populations and cultures.

Jamestown

First successful English colony in the New World, funded by the Virginia Company, known for early struggles and the development of tobacco as a cash crop.

Joint-stock company

Group of investors who bought the right to establish New World plantations from the king, like the Virginia Company that funded Jamestown.

John Rolfe

Jamestown settler known for marrying Pocahontas, introducing tobacco as a cash crop, and brightening English settlement prospects in Virginia.

Indentured servitude

Common migration method to the Chesapeake, where individuals worked for a set time in exchange for passage, land ownership, and voting rights.

Headright system

Introduced by the Virginia Company to attract settlers, granting land tracts to colonists and potential settlers in the Chesapeake.

House of Burgesses

Established in 1619 in Virginia, allowed property-holding white males to vote, with decisions needing approval from the Virginia Company.

French Colonization

French colonization in North America, focused on Quebec City, Jesuit missionary efforts, fur trade, and a lighter impact on native peoples compared to the Spanish and English.

Pilgrims

Separatist group that landed in Plymouth in 1620, led by William Bradford, signed the Mayflower Compact, and received assistance from Native Americans.

Great Puritan Migration

Movement of Puritans to New England led by Governor John Winthrop, establishing Massachusetts Bay Colony along Puritan ideals.

British Treatment of the Colonies

Pre-French and Indian War period marked by salutary neglect, allowing colonies autonomy but leading to revolutionary sentiments later.

Mercantilism

Economic theory during the colonial period, emphasizing a favorable balance of trade and control of specie, influencing British control of colonial commerce.

Colonial Governments

Each colony had a governor appointed by the king, bicameral legislatures, and a degree of autonomy despite British regulations.

New England Confederation

Attempt at centralized government by northeastern colonies, offering advice and a platform for discussing mutual problems.

Proprietorships

Colonies owned by individuals, like Connecticut and Maryland, granted land by the king, with Maryland facing religious tensions despite religious tolerance efforts.

New York

Royal gift to James, the king's brother, established as a British colony after Dutch settlement in New Netherland.

New Netherland

Captured by Charles II of England in 1664, leading to the establishment of New York as a royal colony.

Pennsylvania

Colony received by William Penn from King Charles II, known for its liberal policies towards religious freedom and civil liberties.

Slavery in the Colonies

Existed since 1619 in Virginia, with the arrival of settlers from Barbados marking the beginning of the slave era in the colonies.

Stono Uprising

Successful slave rebellion in 1739 near Charleston, South Carolina, leading to more restrictive laws governing enslaved people.

Salem Witch Trials

Occurred in 1692, with mass hysteria leading to the accusation and execution of over 130 individuals, mostly women, on charges of witchcraft.

Benjamin Franklin

Self-made man embodying Enlightenment ideals, known for his inventions, Poor Richard's Almanack, and diplomatic efforts during the Revolutionary War.

Seven Years' War

Fought between the British and the French, resulting in England becoming the dominant colonial power in North America after gaining control of Canada and the Mississippi Valley.

Albany Plan of Union

Proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, aimed at creating an intercolonial government and a system for collecting taxes for defense, but was rejected by the colonies.

Sugar Act

Imposed in 1764 by Parliament to deter molasses smugglers, leading to colonial discontent and resistance against British taxation without representation.

Stamp Act

Broad-based tax on legal documents and licenses, goods produced within the colonies, affected lawyers, and triggered the "No taxation without representation" argument.

Sons of Liberty

Protest groups formed in various colonies in opposition to the Stamp Act, organized rallies, and successful boycotts against British merchants.

Townshend Acts

Taxed goods imported from Britain, established vice-admiralty courts, and suspended the New York legislature for non-compliance.

Boston Massacre

Incident where British soldiers fired on a colonial mob, leading to five deaths, and sparked a propaganda campaign against the British.

Olive Branch Petition

Attempt by the Second Continental Congress to reconcile with Britain before the Declaration of Independence, rejected by King George III.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for colonial independence, widely circulated, and instrumental in rallying support for the patriot cause.

Declaration of Independence

Document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, asserting individual liberty and government's responsibility to the people, a seminal document in American history.

Battle of Yorktown

Symbolic end of the American Revolution in 1781, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to the French navy and George Washington's troops.

Articles of Confederation

First national constitution of the United States, limited central government powers, and led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution due to its shortcomings.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution with compromises like the Great Compromise and Three-Fifths Compromise.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents who depicted the federal government as an all-powerful entity.

Federalist Papers

Persuasive essays authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to advocate for the Constitution.

Washington's Presidency

George Washington's tenure marked by careful exercise of authority, delegation, and the establishment of a cabinet.

National Bank Debate

Disagreement over the necessity and constitutionality of a national bank between Hamilton and Jefferson.

Republican Motherhood

Concept emphasizing women's role in raising virtuous citizens and educating children for the benefit of the nation.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed under Adams' presidency allowing expulsion of foreigners and restricting freedom of speech.

The “Revolution of 1800”

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans in the election of Thomas Jefferson.

Marbury v

Landmark Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review under Chief Justice John Marshall.

Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson's acquisition of the Louisiana territory, doubling the size of the United States through a treaty with France.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Exploration of the western territories, including the Louisiana Purchase, led by Lewis and Clark with Sacajawea as a guide.

Westward Expansion

Pioneers turned attention westward for land, riches, and economic opportunities.

War of 1812

Conflict between British and Americans due to trade blockades and impressment of sailors.

Embargo Act of 1807

Shut down American import/export, leading to economic turmoil and smuggling.

Monroe Doctrine

Policy asserting America's right to intervene in its hemisphere and non-interference.

Jacksonian Democracy

Era marked by universal white manhood suffrage and strong presidency.

Indian Removal Act

Policy by Jackson to relocate Native Americans, leading to Trail of Tears.

Nullification Crisis

States' belief in the right to nullify federal laws, sparked by Tariff of Abominations.

Whig Party

Formed in opposition to Democrats, believed in government activism and social issues.

Market Economy

Transition from subsistence to market economy in the 19th century, influenced by War of 1812.

Transportation Revolution

Innovations like steam engine and telegraph revolutionized travel and communication.

Telegraph

Allowed for immediate long-distance communication, leading to widespread use almost immediately.

Mechanization

Revolutionized farming in the 19th century with machines like plows, reapers, and threshers.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in the God-given right to expand westward across the American territories.

Republic of Texas

Independent country formed after rebellion against Mexico, faced Congressional battles over statehood due to slavery.

Oregon Trail

Route used by settlers to reach the Willamette Valley, leading to territorial disputes with Native Americans and British.

Cult of Domesticity

Ideology glorifying home life, supported by popular magazines and novels in the 19th century.

Second Great Awakening

Period of religious revival leading to social reform movements, including women's rights and abolitionism.

Abolitionism

Movement to end slavery, divided into moderates seeking gradual emancipation and immediatists advocating for immediate freedom.

Temperance Movement

Reform movement focused on promoting abstinence from alcohol, widely supported alongside abolitionism.

Mexican-American War

Conflict between the U.S. and Mexico resulting in the Mexican Cession and Gadsden Purchase for territorial expansion.

Slavery Expansion & Debates

Expansion of new territories raised issues on slavery status, dividing regions between plantation agriculture and non-plantation lands.

Popular Sovereignty

Concept allowing territories to vote on whether to permit slavery within their borders, advocated by Southerners to expand slavery.

The Compromise of 1850

Proposed by Henry Clay, aimed to settle disputes over new territories, admitted California as a free state, and left slavery decisions to territories.

Antislavery Sentiments

Increased by Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a novel awakening millions to the issue of slavery.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Enacted in 1854, led to violence in territories, formation of the Republican Party, and heightened tensions over slavery expansion.

Reconstruction

Period following the Civil War aimed at rebuilding the South, granting rights to freedmen, and readmitting Southern states to the Union.

Enforcement Acts

Laws passed to combat the activities of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups during Reconstruction.

Redeemers

Southern Democrats who regained control of Southern states after Reconstruction, aiming to reverse Republican policies.

Sharecropping

System where freedmen and poor whites rented land and paid with a share of the crop, leading to cycles of debt and poverty.

Freedman’s Bureau

Government agency established to aid freedmen in the South with education, housing, employment, and healthcare.

Hiram Revels

First African American to serve in the U.S. Senate, representing Mississippi in 1870.

Sherman Antitrust Act

Legislation passed in 1890 to prevent the formation of monopolies and promote fair competition in business.

Knights of Labor

National labor union founded in 1869, advocating for workers' rights and reforms like the 8-hour workday and child labor laws.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation and discrimination, particularly targeting African Americans in the South.

Transcontinental Railroad

Railway connecting the East and West coasts of the United States, completed in 1869, transforming transportation and commerce.

Populist Movement

Advocated for silver coinage, government ownership of railroads, graduated income tax, direct election of senators, and shorter workdays.

Granger Laws

Regulated railroads in the 1870s and 1880s to protect farmers and consumers.

McKinley Tariff

Raised duties on imported goods by almost 50% in 1890.

Spanish-American War

Fought between the US and Spain, leading to the US acquiring territories like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Progressive Movement

Urban, middle-class reformers seeking government intervention for social and political reforms.

Roosevelt Corollary

Addition to the Monroe Doctrine, justifying US intervention in Latin America for national security.

Espionage Act and Sedition Act

Laws passed during WWI to curb opposition to the war effort and restrict freedom of speech.

Schenck v

Supreme Court case upholding limitations on free speech during wartime if it poses a threat to national security.

Palmer Raids

Government crackdown on suspected radical groups in the US post-WWI, leading to arrests and deportations.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty ending WWI, punishing Germany and establishing the League of Nations.

Decline of Labor Unions

Pro-business atmosphere in the 1920s led to a drop in labor union popularity and membership levels.

Welfare Capitalism

Businesses in the 1920s offered pension plans, profit sharing, and company events to attract workers, known as welfare capitalism.

Automobile Revolution

The 1920s saw the rise of the automobile as a major consumer product, transforming the nation's spirit with widespread ownership and suburban living.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement in the largest Black neighborhood in NYC during the 1920s, marked by growth in theaters, clubs, newspapers, and popularization of jazz.

Prohibition

The 18th Amendment banned alcohol, leading to organized crime, but was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.

Great Depression

Herbert Hoover's presidency saw the 1929 stock market crash triggering the Great Depression, with factors like overproduction and lax regulation contributing to the calamity.

New Deal

Franklin D. Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression included programs like the CCC, WPA, and Social Security, guided by Keynesian economics for economic revival.

Isolationism and Neutrality

US foreign policy post-WWI focused on peace and independent internationalism, with the Nye Commission leading to neutrality acts and the Lend-Lease Act in the 1940s.

World War II Conferences

The Tehran Conference in 1943 planned D-Day and post-war Germany, while the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences addressed postwar Europe and Japan's surrender terms.