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

AP U.S. History (APUSH) Vocabulary Guide

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.