APUSH Review Notes

Unit 1: 1491-1607

  • Focus: Natives of America, their diverse societies, and their initial contacts with Europeans.
  • Big Idea #1: Native American populations exhibited diversity in lifestyles shaped by their environments.
    • Diverse societies, not a monolithic group.
    • Examples:
      • Coastal regions (e.g., Chumash): Permanent settlements.
      • Great Basin regions (e.g., Ute): Nomadic hunter-gatherers requiring large hunting lands.
      • Mississippi Valley (e.g., Cahokia): Agricultural societies with rich soil and trade networks.
      • Northeast (e.g., Iroquois): Agricultural communities living communally in longhouses, utilizing timber.

Big Idea #2: European motivations for exploration and colonization.

  • European states were undergoing political unification, leading to a growing upper class with a taste for luxury goods from Asia.
  • Ottoman Muslims controlled land-based trade routes, leading Europeans to seek sea routes to Asia.
  • Key Players:
    • Portugal: Established a trading post empire around Africa and into the Indian Ocean.
    • Spain: Sought new routes to Asian markets via the west, completed the Reconquista, and aimed to spread Christianity.
  • Christopher Columbus: Sponsored by Spain, his voyages led to competition among European countries (e.g., England, Portugal, France, Spain) to claim land.

Big Idea #3: The Columbian Exchange's transformative impact.

  • Transfer of people, animals, and diseases between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (Americas).
  • Crops:
    • From Americas to Europe: Maize, potatoes.
    • From Europe to Americas: Wheat, rice.
  • Animals:
    • From Americas to Europe: Turkeys.
    • From Europe to Americas: Cattle, pigs, horses.
  • Population increases in Europe and devastating disease spread in the Americas (e.g., smallpox, measles).
  • Mineral wealth (gold & silver) from America to Europe facilitated the shift from feudalism.

Big Idea #4: The impact of Spanish arrival on the social and economic structure of the Americas.

  • The Encomienda system: Spanish exploitation of Native American labor for mining (Native Americans died from diseases).
  • Increase in African slavery to replace Native American labor.
  • The Casta system: Categorization of people based on race and ancestry.

Big Idea #5: Evolving perceptions between Europeans and Native Americans.

  • Land: Europeans viewed land as a commodity, while Native Americans had spiritual connections to it.
  • Religion: Europeans were Christians, while Native Americans practiced diverse pantheistic religions.
  • Differing Views:
    • Juan Gines de Sepulveda: Argued for Native Americans' inferiority and the benefits of harsh labor.
    • Bartolome de las Casas: Advocated for the dignity and human rights of Native Americans.

Unit 2: 1607-1754

  • Focus: Founding of Jamestown and colonial development.
  • Big Idea #1: Diverse motivations behind European colonization projects.
    • Spanish Goals: Initially mineral extraction, then cash crops, and spreading Christianity, leading to subjugation of native populations.
    • French and Dutch Goals: Trade partnerships (fur trade) with fewer permanent settlements (Quebec, New Amsterdam).
    • British Goals: Social mobility, economic prosperity, and religious freedom due to inflation, enclosure movement, and religious persecution (Puritans vs. Separatists).

Big Idea #2: Diversity among British North American colonies.

  • Chesapeake (Jamestown): Single men, indentured servants, tobacco cultivation for European markets.
  • New England: Religious communities, whole families settling, shaped by religious principles.
  • British West Indies & Southern Atlantic Coastal Colonies: Warm climates, cash crop economies (sugar, tobacco), high demand for African labor.

Middle Colonies

  • New York, New Jersey
  • Located on the sea with many rivers
  • Hubs for trade organized around exports
  • Diverse communities

New England Governance

  • Self-governing
  • Mayflower Compact
  • House of Burgesses in Virginia

Big Idea #3: Transatlantic trade and its economic impact.

  • Triangular Trade: New England merchants traded rum in West Africa for slaves, then the Middle Passage to trade for sugarcane, forming a cyclical pattern.
  • Mercantilism: State-driven economic system relying on colonies for raw materials.

Big Idea #4: Differing European policies toward Native Americans and resulting conflicts.

  • Examples:
    • Metacom's War: Native American attacks on British colonies due to growing tensions.
    • Pueblo Revolt: Resistance to Spanish land grabs and Christianizing missions.

Big Idea #5: African slavery and resistance.

  • Chattel Slavery: Enslaved people viewed as property.
  • Resistance: Covert and overt rebellions (e.g., Stono Rebellion).

Big Idea #6: Colonial society's dual identity.

  • Influence of the Enlightenment: Natural rights and social contract weakened religious authority.
  • Response: The First Great Awakening: A national movement fostering a national identity and resisting Enlightenment ideals.

Big Idea #7: Growing mistrust due to British colonial policies.

  • Anglicization: American colonies becoming more English-like.
  • Frustration over British Impressment: Forced naval service leading to riots and resistance.
  • Increased awareness of natural rights and viewing impressment as a violation.

Unit 3: 1754-1800

  • Focus: Increasing tensions between Britain and its American colonies, and the struggles to create a new government.
  • Big Idea #1: The French and Indian War's impact.
    • Causes: British fear of French encroachment into the Ohio Valley.
    • British victory: French lost control of North America.
  • Consequences:
    • Increased British land holdings to the Mississippi River.
    • Conflicts with Native Americans due to colonial westward expansion.
    • Proclamation Line of 1763: Restricted colonial expansion west.
      *Taxation: British debt doubled, leading to taxes on colonies to recover war costs.

Big Idea #2: Taxation without representation led to the Revolutionary War.

  • Parliament demanded more tax revenue after salutary neglect.
    • Stricter enforcement of Navigation Acts.
    • Quartering Act: Imperial troops stationed in colonies.
    • Stamp Act: Tax on all paper items.
  • Colonial Response:
    • Stamp Act Congress to repeal the Stamp Act.
    • Townshend Acts and boycotts of British goods.
    • Boston Massacre due to increased tensions.

Boston Tea Party

  • Colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor
  • Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts): Closed Boston Harbor until tea was paid for.
  • Growing support for the Patriot movement.

Big Idea #3: Enlightenment influence on the American Independence movement.

  • Common Sense by Thomas Paine:
    • Advocated for independence.
    • Combined Enlightenment thought with biblical imagery.
    • Popularized the idea of independence.
  • Declaration of Independence:
    • Influenced by Enlightenment ideals.
    • Affirmed the principle that all men are created equal.
    • Examples of social contract theory.

Big Idea #4: American victory in the Revolutionary War.

  • Leadership of George Washington.
  • Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga, leading to French alliance.
  • Support for the Patriot cause.
  • Battle of Yorktown: Established the United States of America.

Big Idea #5: Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

  • First constitution of the USA, ratified in 1781.
  • Concentrated federal power in a legislative body.
  • No judicial or executive branches.
  • No power to tax states.
  • Pros: Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established processes for territories to become states and abolished slavery in those territories.
  • Cons: Shay's Rebellion alarmed leaders, revealing the inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation.

Big Idea #6: Drafting the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention.

  • Purpose: To revise the Articles of Confederation, but evolved into drafting a new Constitution.
  • Federalists (strong central government) vs. Anti-federalists (more state power).
  • Virginia Plan: Representation in Congress based on population (favored large states).
  • New Jersey Plan: Equal representation per state (favored small states).
  • Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise:
    • Bicameral legislature.
    • House of Representatives: Representation based on population.
    • Senate: Equal representation for each state.
  • 3/53/5 Compromise: 3/53/5 of the enslaved population counted for representation.
  • Prohibition of international slave trade after 1808.
  • Ratification: Federalists (Hamilton, Madison, Jay) wrote the Federalist Papers to defend the Constitution.
  • Anti-federalists demanded a Bill of Rights, which was added to the Constitution.

Big Idea #7: New central government defined by federalism and separation of powers.

  • Federalism: Sharing of power between federal and state governments.
  • Separation of Powers:
    • Legislative Branch: Law-making.
    • Executive Branch: Law-enforcing.
    • Judicial Branch: Law-interpreting.

Big Idea #8: Impact of the American Revolution on society and global revolutions.

  • Women: Republican Motherhood, raising virtuous sons instructed in the principles of liberty.
  • Inspired French Revolution: Emphasis on freedom.
  • Inspired Haitian Revolution: Overthrow of French rule, leading to independence.

Big Idea #9: Precedents set by Washington and Adams.

  • Washington's Presidency:
    • Division and creation of political parties: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
    • Whiskey Rebellion: Disagreement over economic policies (Hamilton's National Bank).
  • Adam's Presidency:
    • XYZ Affair.
    • Alien and Sedition Acts: Restricted criticism of the government and immigration.
  • Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions: Claimed states' right to nullify federal laws.

Big Idea #10: Expression of American national identity in art, literature, and architecture.

  • Artists devoted to historical themes.
  • Formation of a distinct American artistic identity.

Unit 4: 1800-1848

  • Focus: From Jefferson's election to the end of the Mexican-American War/Seneca Falls Convention.
  • Big Idea #1: Party debates, Supreme Court's role, and territorial expansion during Jefferson's era.
    • Party Debates:
      • Democratic-Republicans (strict constructionists) vs. Federalists (loose constructionists).
      • Strict constructionists: Literal interpretation of the Constitution.
      • Loose constructionists: Flexible interpretation of the Constitution.
    • Expansion of US Territorial Holdings:
      • Louisiana Purchase.
      • Lewis & Clark expedition (northwest) and Zebulon Pike (south).
    • Supreme Court establishes its role under John Marshall.

Marbury v Madison

  • Established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.

Big Idea #2: Conflicts between regional interests and federal power.

  • War of 1812: Fought due to British impressment of American sailors; opposed by New England (Hartford Convention).
  • Henry Clay’s American System: Unifying the American economy.
    • Federally funded internal improvements.
    • Protective tariffs.
    • Second Bank of the United States.
    • Madison vetoed some provisions disadvantaging the South.

Westward Expansion - Missouri Compromise

  • Missouri's application as a slave state disrupted the balance between free and slave states.
  • Missouri Compromise:
    • Admitted Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state to maintain the balance.
    • Prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase territory north of the 36°30′36°30' parallel.

Big Idea #3: Establishing the US as an independent nation.

  • Federalists (Hamilton): strong central government & national bank
  • Jefferson (Democratic-Republicans) wanted strong state power and limited federal gov’t
  • Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)
  • Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions (claimed that states had the right to nullify unconstitutional federal laws)

Big Idea #4: The Market Revolution

  • Linking of Northern Industry with Western and Southern farms.
  • Economy switched from homespun/local -> national/industrial economy
    • Cotton gin -> made cotton very important in the south
    • Interchangeable parts -> factories took off in the North
    • Telegraph -> faster communication
    • Steam engine & canals (ex: Erie Canal) + railroads = faster trade & connected regions
  • Immigration (esp Irish & Germans) filled cities + factories w cheap labor

Big Idea #5: Expansion of democracy.

  • Universal white male suffrage expanded
  • Andrew Jackson became the face of the “common man” even though he was rich
  • Vetoed the Second Bank of the US and hated internal improvements funded by the federal gov’t
  • Whigs formed as opposition -> liked congress > presidency, supported the national bank

Big Idea #6: President Andrew Jackson

  • Used federal power on issues like the national bank, tariffs, federally funded internal improvements, and the forcible removal of American Indians from their lands
  • Second great awakening

Big Idea #7: Defining American identity

  • Slavery becomes more established in the South post-cotton gin
  • Abolitionists were seen as radicals, esp in the south

Big Idea #8: Rise of democratic and individualistic beliefs.

  • Indian removal act (1830) - jackson signed this to forcefully relocate native tribes west of mississippi
  • Worcester v. Georgia (1832): the supreme court said cherokee nation was its own thing and georgia could no force them off their land
  • Jackson was pro-states’ rights

Big Idea #9: Southern culture ensured that the institution of slavery.

  • Women’s Roles in the reform era
  • Seneca falls convention (1848)

Unit 5: 1844-1877

  • Big Idea #1: Many americans believed it was their Manifest Destiny to expand their nation
  • Big Idea #2: The Mexican American war was caused by the annexation of Texas
  • US couldn’t stop fighting about whether new states should allow slavery - Wilmot Proviso - banned slavery in land from Mexico (flopped)
  • Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): popular sovereignty = people vote if slave state or no -> BLEEDING KANSAS chaos
  • Big Idea #3: Acquisition of land
  • Big Idea #4: As more immigrants arrived in America, they created ethnic enclaves
  • Big Idea #5: Tension over slavery increased = All attempts to compromise
  • Big Idea #7: Election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860
  • Big Idea #8: North and the South mobilized their entire economies and societies
  • Big Idea #9: Reconstruction - abolished slavery
  • Big Idea #10: Reconstruction Failed

Unit 6

  • Big Idea #1: Continued westward migration and the advent of transcontinental railroad systems helped unify the national economy
  • Big Idea #2: Americans moved westward for a variety of reasons
  • Big Idea #3: The southern states entrenched themselves in racial segregation and a continuing adherence to agriculture
  • Big Idea #4: Technological innovation created the occasion for the rise and expansion of industrial capitalism
  • Big Idea #5: production transformed the American economy during the Gilded Age
  • Big Idea #6: Standard of living improved, many in the labor sector found their lives unsustainable
  • Big Idea #7: industrial workforce expanded and became more diverse through internal and international migration
  • Big Idea #8: faced opposition from nativists and labor unions
  • Big Idea #9: Reform American society and economics
  • Big Idea #10: Politics in the Gilded Age

Unit 7

  • Big Idea #1: The United States debated whether it should expand into territories beyond its borders
  • Big Idea #2: victory in the Spanish-American War led to further land acquisitions
  • Big Idea #3: The Progressives wanted strong government intervention to reform society
  • Big Idea #4: U.S. began in a position of isolationism regarding World War
  • Big Idea #5: civil liberties, nativism, and significant migrations
  • Big Idea #6: focused the U.S. economy on the production of consumer goods
  • Big Idea #7: granting new opportunities for women and immigrants
  • Big Idea #8: transform the United States into a limited welfare state
  • Big Idea #9: U.S. entry into WWII
  • Big Idea #10: US entry into WWII transformed American society economically
  • Big Idea #11: Americans saw the war as a fight for the survival of democracy

Unit 8: 1945-1980

  • Big Idea #1: The U.S. and Soviet Union engaged in a decades-long Cold War
  • Big Idea #2: Americans debated policies designed to expose suspected communists within the United States
  • Big Idea #3: The U.S. economy grew significantly in the 1950s
  • Big Idea #4: Gains were made for civil rights in the 1940s and 1950s
  • Big Idea #5: The Civil Rights Movement won major victories in the 1960s
  • Big Idea #6: postwar decolonization was the occasion for increasing Cold War involvement
  • Big Idea #7: The Vietnam War
  • Big Idea #8: Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society
  • Big Idea #9: The Civil Rights Movement expanded
  • Big Idea #10: Youth culture of the 1960s
  • Big Idea #11: environmental degradation led to the rise of the environmental movement
  • Big Idea #12: government rapidly declined during the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal

Unit 9: 1980-Present

  • Big Idea #1: The election of Ronald Reagan
  • Big Idea #2: bring an end to the Cold War
  • Big Idea #3: U.S. economy underwent significant changes in the 1990s
  • Big Idea #4: affected U.S. culture and economics significantly
  • Big Idea #5: attacks of September 11th, 2001