AP US History Key Topics Flashcards

PERIOD 1: 1491-1607

• Key Concepts
  • Cultural Areas of Native Tribes:
  • Southwest: Pueblo
  • Northwest: Chinook
  • Northeast: Iroquois, Algonquian
  • Columbian Exchange: Impact of European colonization brought diseases (like smallpox) that devastated Native populations.
  • Racial Mixing: Emergence of Mestizo and Zambo communities due to intermarriage between Europeans and Indigenous peoples/Africans.
  • Motivations for Exploration: The pursuit of God, gold, and glory characterized Spanish and Portuguese expansion.
  • Shift from Feudalism to Capitalism: Emergence of joint-stock companies exemplified this economic transition.

PERIOD 2: 1607-1754

• General Concepts
  • Conflicts between European settlers and Native peoples; less intermarriage in British colonies.
  • Religious and Racial Stratification: Enforced systems reflecting European superiority.
• Key Events
  • King Philip's War: Result of religious conversions among Native Americans leading to violent uprisings.
  • Great Awakening: Religious revival that emphasized personal faith.
  • Navigation Acts: Design to regulate colonial trade to benefit the British economy.
  • Casta system (Latin America): Hierarchical social classification based on race.

PERIOD 3: 1754-1800

• Key Concepts
  • Philosophical Origins of Revolution: Enlightenment thinkers inspired revolutionary ideology.
  • Post-War British Imperial Crisis: Taxation and legislative measures led to colonial resistance.
• Major Events
  • Stamp Act & Intolerable Acts: Key points of contention between colonists and Britain.
  • Declaration of Independence: Document asserting colonial right to revolt.
  • Revolutionary War impacts included changing roles for women and slaves.
  • Establishment of federalism and the Constitution laid the groundwork for governance.

PERIOD 4: 1800-1848

• General Concepts
  • Formation of a national culture intertwined with the growth of regional economies.
  • Jacksonian Democracy: Emphasis on the common man, yet limited rights for non-whites.
• Key Events
  • McCulloch v. Maryland: Affirmed federal supremacy over state law.
  • Seneca Falls Convention: Early women's rights movement culminating in the Declaration of Sentiments.
  • Indian Removal Act: Led to the forced relocation of Native Americans, epitomized by the Trail of Tears.

PERIOD 5: 1844-1877

• General Concepts
  • Free Labor vs. Slavery: Economic and moral debates surrounding slavery's expansion.
  • Abolitionist Movement: Activism against slavery gained momentum with figures such as Frederick Douglass.
• Key Events
  • Civil War: Rooted in sectionalism and slavery.
  • Reconstruction: Aimed at integrating freed slaves into society, faced significant backlash and ultimate failure.
  • Jim Crow Laws: Institutionalized racial segregation following Reconstruction.

PERIOD 6: 1865-1898

• General Concepts
  • Second Industrial Revolution brought about economic and social changes, alongside the rise of labor movements.
  • Urbanization and Immigration: Rapid growth of cities due to industrialization and immigration patterns.
• Key Events
  • Dawes Act: Aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society through land allotment.
  • Pullman Strike: Major labor strike showcasing worker dissatisfaction with labor conditions.

PERIOD 7: 1890-1945

• General Concepts
  • Progressive Movement sought reforms to address social injustices and corruption.
  • Cold War Beginnings: Rise in tensions post-WWII influenced US foreign policy.
• Key Events
  • New Deal: Franklin D. Roosevelt's programs to combat the Great Depression included Social Security and labor rights.
  • Civil Rights Movement: Grassroots efforts for racial equality gained momentum leading to legislative reforms.

PERIOD 8: 1945-1980

• General Concepts
  • Cold War policies shaped international relations and domestic policies, illustrating ideological conflicts.
  • Social Movements: Civil Rights Movement, women's rights, and environmental activism gained prominence during this era.
• Key Events
  • Vietnam War: Sparked widespread protests and impacts on American society.
  • Watergate: Major political scandal leading to increased public skepticism towards government.

PERIOD 9: 1980-PRESENT

• General Concepts
  • Growing population diversity and immigration debates shaped the social fabric of the nation.
  • Economic Issues: Globalization and economic inequality became focal points.
• Key Events
  • 9/11 Attacks: Led to War on Terror and significant changes in US foreign and domestic policies.
  • Modern political divides and populism characterized the late 2010s and early 2020s.