A.P. US History Anchor Dates

A.P. US History Anchor Dates

Introduction

  • Studying history involves more than memorizing dates and events.

  • However, certain dates are vital for understanding the chronology of American history.

  • The list below includes twenty "anchor" dates that will help contextualize various events, trends, and conflicts in A.P. U.S. History.

List of Anchor Dates

  • 1607:

    • Colony established at Jamestown, Virginia.

  • 1754:

    • French and Indian War begins, marking a crucial conflict between Britain and France for territorial dominance in North America.

  • 1776:

    • Signing of the Declaration of Independence, a pivotal act wherein the Thirteen Colonies declared independence from British rule.

  • 1803:

    • President Thomas Jefferson purchases the Louisiana Territory from France, significantly expanding U.S. territory and ambition.

  • 1815:

    • Battle of New Orleans concludes the War of 1812, with American forces led by General Andrew Jackson achieving a significant military victory against the British.

  • 1832:

    • Nullification Crisis in South Carolina, highlighting tensions between state and federal authority regarding tariffs and states' rights.

  • 1846:

    • Mexican-American War begins, a conflict fueled by expansionist desires and territorial disputes between the U.S. and Mexico.

  • 1857:

    • Supreme Court case Dred Scott v. Sanford, where the court ruled that African Americans could not be American citizens and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

  • 1861-1865:

    • American Civil War occurs, a significant conflict over slavery, states' rights, and national unity, resulting in profound social and political change.

  • 1877:

    • End of the Reconstruction era, a period of rebuilding and addressing the aftermath of the Civil War, particularly regarding the status of newly freed slaves.

  • 1890:

    • "Closing" of the American frontier is declared, as the U.S. government acknowledges that westward expansion has brought about the end of widespread frontier land available for settlement.

  • 1898:

    • Spanish-American War occurs, leading to U.S. intervention in Cuba and significant territorial gains in the Caribbean and Pacific.

  • 1901:

    • Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt becomes U.S. president, known for his progressive policies and assertive foreign policy stance, including the construction of the Panama Canal.

  • 1917-1918:

    • American participation in World War I, marked by the U.S. joining the allies to defeat the Central Powers and the resultant Treaty of Versailles.

  • 1929:

    • Wall Street crash, known as "Black Tuesday," signifying the start of the Great Depression and economic turmoil in the U.S. and worldwide.

  • 1941-1945:

    • American participation in World War II, involving mobilization of military forces and massive domestic economic changes to support the war effort.

  • 1957:

    • The Soviet Union launches the Sputnik satellite, marking the beginning of the Space Race and highlighting the technological competition between the U.S. and the USSR.

  • 1964:

    • Congress passes the Civil Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at ending discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

  • 1969:

    • The U.S. begins drafting American men to fight in the Vietnam War, significantly escalating U.S. involvement in a contentious and controversial conflict.

  • 1980:

    • Ronald Reagan is elected to the presidency, heralding a shift towards conservative policies in American governance.

Exam Information

  • Students will be tested on these dates throughout the academic year.

  • Exams during the first semester will cover the first ten dates listed above.

  • Exams during the second semester will encompass all twenty anchor dates.

  • Date-related questions on exams will be formatted in two ways:

    1. “In what year did the Mexican-American War begin?”

    2. “Which of the following events occurred in 1846?”