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16 Required Figures for APUSH (copy)

There's a bunch of people we learned about in APUSH, but technically we're only expected to know 16 Key Figures really well. To ask a question about any other figure, they're supposed to provide some sort of context on who they are.

  1. Benjamin Franklin - One of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a scientist, inventor, author, printer, and diplomat. He is known for his contributions to the development of electricity and the lightning rod, as well as his diplomatic work in Europe during the American Revolution.

  2. Thomas Paine - An English-American political activist and philosopher who wrote several influential pamphlets in the late 18th century, including "Common Sense" and "The Rights of Man". He was a major figure in the American and French Revolutions and his work helped to inspire both.

  3. George Washington - The first President of the United States and a key military commander during the American Revolution. He is often called the "Father of His Country" and is known for his leadership and statesmanship.

  4. John Adams - The second President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers. He played a key role in the American Revolution and was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

  5. Thomas Jefferson - The third President of the United States and another Founding Father. He is perhaps best known for his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, but he also contributed significantly to the development of American democracy and was a major advocate for individual rights.

  6. James Madison - The fourth President of the United States and one of the authors of the US Constitution. He played a key role in shaping the early American government and was a strong proponent of individual rights and religious freedom.

  7. Alexander Hamilton - An American statesman and Founding Father who was a key figure in the development of the US financial system. He served as the first Secretary of the Treasury and played a major role in shaping early American economic policy.

  8. Andrew Jackson - The seventh President of the United States and a controversial figure in American history. He is known for his role in the Indian Removal Act, which forcibly relocated Native Americans from their ancestral lands, and for his opposition to the national bank.

  9. Henry Clay - An American statesman and orator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He played a key role in the development of American economic policy, particularly with regard to tariffs and internal improvements.

  10. Abraham Lincoln - The 16th President of the United States and one of the most important figures in American history. He is known for his leadership during the Civil War and for his efforts to end slavery in the United States.

  11. Jane Addams - An American social reformer and activist who co-founded Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago that provided services to the poor and immigrants. She was a leading advocate for peace and women's rights.

  12. Woodrow Wilson - The 28th President of the United States and a key figure in the early 20th century. He is known for his leadership during World War I and for his efforts to establish the League of Nations.

  13. Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) - The 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in American history. He is known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, and for his development of the New Deal, a series of policies aimed at promoting economic recovery and reform.

  14. Lyndon B. Johnson - The 36th President of the United States and a key figure in the civil rights movement. He is known for his efforts to pass major social welfare legislation, including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

  15. Martin Luther King Jr. - An American Baptist minister and civil rights leader who played a central role in the African American civil rights movement. He is known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

  16. Ronald Reagan - The 40th President of the United States and a leading figure in the conservative movement. He is known for his efforts to promote free-market capitalism and his tough stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He is also credited with helping to restore American confidence and pride following a period of economic and political turmoil.

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16 Required Figures for APUSH (copy)

There's a bunch of people we learned about in APUSH, but technically we're only expected to know 16 Key Figures really well. To ask a question about any other figure, they're supposed to provide some sort of context on who they are.

  1. Benjamin Franklin - One of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a scientist, inventor, author, printer, and diplomat. He is known for his contributions to the development of electricity and the lightning rod, as well as his diplomatic work in Europe during the American Revolution.

  2. Thomas Paine - An English-American political activist and philosopher who wrote several influential pamphlets in the late 18th century, including "Common Sense" and "The Rights of Man". He was a major figure in the American and French Revolutions and his work helped to inspire both.

  3. George Washington - The first President of the United States and a key military commander during the American Revolution. He is often called the "Father of His Country" and is known for his leadership and statesmanship.

  4. John Adams - The second President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers. He played a key role in the American Revolution and was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

  5. Thomas Jefferson - The third President of the United States and another Founding Father. He is perhaps best known for his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, but he also contributed significantly to the development of American democracy and was a major advocate for individual rights.

  6. James Madison - The fourth President of the United States and one of the authors of the US Constitution. He played a key role in shaping the early American government and was a strong proponent of individual rights and religious freedom.

  7. Alexander Hamilton - An American statesman and Founding Father who was a key figure in the development of the US financial system. He served as the first Secretary of the Treasury and played a major role in shaping early American economic policy.

  8. Andrew Jackson - The seventh President of the United States and a controversial figure in American history. He is known for his role in the Indian Removal Act, which forcibly relocated Native Americans from their ancestral lands, and for his opposition to the national bank.

  9. Henry Clay - An American statesman and orator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He played a key role in the development of American economic policy, particularly with regard to tariffs and internal improvements.

  10. Abraham Lincoln - The 16th President of the United States and one of the most important figures in American history. He is known for his leadership during the Civil War and for his efforts to end slavery in the United States.

  11. Jane Addams - An American social reformer and activist who co-founded Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago that provided services to the poor and immigrants. She was a leading advocate for peace and women's rights.

  12. Woodrow Wilson - The 28th President of the United States and a key figure in the early 20th century. He is known for his leadership during World War I and for his efforts to establish the League of Nations.

  13. Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) - The 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in American history. He is known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, and for his development of the New Deal, a series of policies aimed at promoting economic recovery and reform.

  14. Lyndon B. Johnson - The 36th President of the United States and a key figure in the civil rights movement. He is known for his efforts to pass major social welfare legislation, including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

  15. Martin Luther King Jr. - An American Baptist minister and civil rights leader who played a central role in the African American civil rights movement. He is known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

  16. Ronald Reagan - The 40th President of the United States and a leading figure in the conservative movement. He is known for his efforts to promote free-market capitalism and his tough stance against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He is also credited with helping to restore American confidence and pride following a period of economic and political turmoil.