APUSH Semester 1 Final Exam Study Guide
APUSH Semester 1 Final Exam Study Guide
Native American Populations Prior to European Settlement
Diverse cultures and societies developed across North America.
Different environments led to various ways of life, such as hunting, farming, and gathering.
Major civilizations included the Aztec and Inca in Central and South America, with complex societal structures and trade systems.
The Columbian Exchanges
A significant transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the New and Old Worlds post-1492.
Introduction of crops like potatoes and maize to Europe; in exchange, Europeans brought wheat and horses to the Americas.
Diseases (e.g., smallpox) decimated Native American populations, leading to drastic demographic changes.
Compare Spanish, English & French Exploration & Colonization
Spanish Exploration:
Goals included the spread of Christianity and wealth acquisition (gold and silver).
Established missions and settlements, such as St. Augustine (1565).
English Exploration:
Focused on profit and economic exploitation, along with religious freedom for Puritans and other sects.
Established colonies like Jamestown (1607).
French Exploration:
Primarily aimed at trade and alliances with Native Americans, especially in fur trade regions.
Established Quebec and were more integrated with Native American cultures.
Motives for English Colonization: Religious & Economic
Religious Motives:
Persecution of Puritans and Catholics in England led to migration for religious freedom.
Economic Motives:
The desire for new markets and resources drove the exploration and establishment of colonies.
The concept of mercantilism influenced the establishment of colonies as sources of raw materials and markets for English goods.
Jamestown
Founded in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America.
Initial struggles with starvation and disease; leadership under John Smith crucial for survival.
Economy initially based on tobacco cultivation, leading to prosperity and expansion.
Puritans
A group seeking to purify the Church of England from Catholic practices.
Established the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630) with a focus on creating a "city upon a hill" as a model Christian society.
Believed in a strict moral code and led significant social and political change.
Bacon's Rebellion/Colonial Labor
In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against Governor Berkeley's administration in Virginia.
Issues included grievances about lack of protection against Native American attacks and economic opportunities.
Highlighted tensions between frontier settlers and the colonial elite; led to increased reliance on enslaved labor.
Anne Hutchinson
A Puritan spiritual leader in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Challenged clerical authority and conventional gender roles by holding religious meetings in her home.
Banished for her beliefs, representing the conflicts over religious freedom.
Mercantilism
Economic theory advocating that a nation’s power is directly related to its wealth.
Emphasized the importance of building surplus and regulation of trade to benefit the mother country.
Colonies were seen as instrumental in providing resources and markets for England.
The Great Awakening
A series of religious revivals in the early 18th century that emphasized personal faith over church doctrine.
Key figures included Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield.
Fostered a spirit of questioning authority and promoted individualism, affecting social and political views.
The French and Indian War
Fought from 1754 to 1763 between Britain and France, with Native American alliances influencing the conflict.
Resulted in the Treaty of Paris (1763), which significantly expanded British territory in North America.
Led to increased taxation and regulation on the colonies, sowing seeds of discontent.
British Regulation & Colonial Protest
Post-war regulations included the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act aimed at raising revenue from the colonies.
Colonists protested through various means, including the formation of the Sons of Liberty, boycotts, and the slogan “No taxation without representation.”
The Stamp Act
Imposed a direct tax on colonists for printed materials including newspapers and legal documents.
Spurred protests and the eventual repeal in 1766 after widespread colonial opposition.
The Declaration of Independence
Adopted on July 4, 1776, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, asserting the colonies' intention to separate from British rule.
Key principles included the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, drawn from Enlightenment ideas.
French Impact on American Revolution
France provided essential military and financial support to the colonies, significantly influencing the outcome of the war.
The Franco-American alliance formalized in 1778 was critical to colonial success.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, created a confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government.
Limitations included the inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce, leading to economic instability.
Ordinances of 1785 & 1787
These ordinances established a systematic process for surveying and distributing land in the Northwest Territory.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 particularly established procedures for statehood and guaranteed certain rights to settlers.
Shays's Rebellion & Significance
An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays, protesting economic injustices and lack of government support for debt relief.
Highlighted weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred calls for a stronger federal government.
The Writing of the US Constitution & the Ratification
Convened in 1787 in Philadelphia, the Constitutional Convention aimed to address the weaknesses of the Articles.
Resulted in the creation of a federal system with checks and balances.
Ratified by September 1788 amidst debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists about the extent of federal powers.
Debate
Major debates included the representation of large vs. small states (resolved by the Great Compromise).
Issues of slavery and its representation in Congress were contentious, leading to the Three-Fifths Compromise.
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, ensuring individual liberties.
Included protections for freedoms such as speech, religion, and the press.
Washington as President / Farewell Address
George Washington set many precedents as the first President of the United States (1789-1797), including the formation of the Cabinet.
His Farewell Address cautioned against political parties and foreign alliances, emphasizing national unity.
Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton favored a strong central government and the establishment of a national bank; proposed a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson advocated for states’ rights and strict construction of the Constitution, emphasizing agricultural interests.
Bank of the United States
Proposed by Hamilton as a means to stabilize and improve the nation’s credit.
Controversial; opponents argued it was unconstitutional, while supporters believed it was necessary for economic growth.
Strict vs. Loose Interpretations of the Constitution
Strict interpretation: the government can only use powers explicitly granted in the Constitution.
Loose interpretation: implies broader powers through interpretation, allowing for more flexibility in governance.
Formation of Political Parties & Washington’s Legacy
The Federalists and Democratic-Republicans emerged from the disagreements between Hamilton and Jefferson.
Washington’s legacy included the establishment of the two-party system but also warnings against factionalism.
Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions
Written by Jefferson and Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts asserting states' rights to nullify federal laws.
Important early expression of the states' rights theory.
Revolution of 1800
Refers to the 1800 election where Thomas Jefferson defeated incumbent John Adams.
Marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history.
Marshall Court (Marbury v. Madison)
Supreme Court case (1803) establishing the principle of judicial review, allowing the court to invalidate laws deemed unconstitutional.
Chief Justice John Marshall's decisions often strengthened the federal government's power.
Louisiana Purchase
Acquired from France in 1803, doubling the size of the United States.
Significantly expanded territorial claims and increased westward expansion opportunities.
Jefferson’s Foreign Policy and The Embargo
Jefferson's foreign policy favored trade but aimed to avoid entanglement in European conflicts.
The Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations, negatively impacting the U.S. economy and leading to widespread dissent.
War of 1812
Fought between the United States and Britain from 1812 to 1815, primarily over trade restrictions and impressment of American sailors.
Resulted in a surge of nationalism and fading of the Federalist Party after the war.
Hartford Convention
A series of meetings in 1814-1815 where New England Federalists discussed grievances and proposed secession.
Viewed as unpatriotic post-war, contributing to the decline of the Federalist Party.
American System
Economic plan proposed by Henry Clay aimed at promoting national economic growth through a national bank, tariffs, and internal improvements.
Sought to unite the nation economically and politically.
Missouri Compromise
An agreement in 1820 to maintain the balance between free and slave states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.
Established the 36°30' line to delineate future free and slave territories.
Monroe Doctrine
A foreign policy statement issued in 1823 warning European powers against further colonization or intervention in the Americas.
Asserted U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Jackson's Indian Policy
President Andrew Jackson's policies favored westward expansion at the expense of Native American rights.
Resulted in forced removal of tribes, notably through the Indian Removal Act of 1830 leading to the Trail of Tears.
Jackson and the B.U.S.
Jackson opposed the Second Bank of the United States, viewing it as a corrupt institution benefiting the elite.
His veto of its recharter and withdrawal of federal funds contributed to the bank's ultimate demise.
Jackson, Tariff, and Nullification/S.C. Exposition
The Tariff of Abominations (1828) raised rates on imports, angering Southern states.
South Carolina, led by John C. Calhoun, asserted the right to nullify federal laws, leading to a crisis resolved by a compromise tariff in 1833.
Early Immigration and Immigration Issues
The early 19th century saw significant immigration from Ireland and Germany due to famine, persecution, and economic opportunities.
Led to cultural tensions and the rise of nativism.
Nativism and the Know-Nothing Party
Nativism is a political policy favoring the interests of native inhabitants over immigrants.
The Know-Nothing Party emerged in the 1850s, advocating for anti-immigrant policies and promoting Protestant values.
Second Great Awakening
A religious revival movement in the early 19th century, emphasizing individual salvation and moral reform.
Notable for its role in energizing various reform movements, including abolition and temperance.
"Burned Over District"
The term refers to regions, particularly upstate New York, that experienced intense religious revival activity during the Second Great Awakening.
Fostering new religious movements and social reforms.
19th Century Art & Literature (Hudson River School)
The Hudson River School was a mid-19th century American art movement focusing on landscape painting that celebrated nature and the American wilderness.
Highlighted the beauty and majesty of the American landscape, reflecting Romantic ideals.
Textile Workers (Lowell)
The Lowell system in Massachusetts became a model for industrial factories, employing young women under strict conditions.
Provided education and social opportunities but also faced criticism for harsh working environments.
The Cotton Gin - Impact on Slavery
Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, the cotton gin dramatically increased cotton production efficiency.
Led to a resurgence in slavery in the South, making slave labor integral to the cotton economy.
Slavery/Southern Justification for Slavery
Southern states justified slavery through economic necessity and biblical interpretations.
Arguments included claims of providing "civilized" conditions for enslaved Africans and economic dependency on slave labor for agricultural outputs.
American Colonization Society
Founded in 1816 as a philanthropic organization advocating for the resettlement of freed African Americans to Africa.
Established Liberia as a colony for resettlement, though met with mixed reactions among African Americans.
The Gag Rule
A Rule passed in the House of Representatives in 1836 prohibiting the discussion of slavery-related petitions.
Created further tensions surrounding the issue of slavery and free speech in Congress.
Railroad's Impact on the Economy
The expansion of the railroad system during the 19th century revolutionized transportation and commerce.
Facilitated the quick movement of goods, contributed to westward expansion, and accelerated economic growth.
Antebellum Reform Movements:
Various movements arose in the antebellum period, including:
Abolition:
The movement to end slavery, led by figures like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.
Women’s Rights:
Early voices included Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, culminating in the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, which issued the Declaration of Sentiments advocating for women's suffrage.
Cult of Domesticity / Republican Motherhood:
Ideals that defined women's roles in society as moral guardians, emphasizing their domestic responsibilities.
Market Revolution
A drastic change in the economy characterized by a shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture and industrialization.
Enabled growth in cities, transportation systems, and communication.
Texan Independence and the Annexation Issue
Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836; the subsequent debate over annexation into the U.S. sparked tensions regarding slavery.
Annexation occurred in 1845, intensifying sectional divisions.
Manifest Destiny
The 19th-century belief that the expansion of the U.S. across the American continents was both justified and inevitable.
Used to rationalize territorial expansion at the expense of Native Americans and Mexican territories.
The Mexican War
Fought from 1846 to 1848 over territorial disputes following Texas's annexation.
Resulted in significant land acquisitions for the U.S., including California and New Mexico.
Issues and Crises Leading to the Civil War
Sectional tensions escalated due to issues surrounding slavery, states' rights, and economic differences.
Compromise efforts, like the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, attempted to address but ultimately exacerbated divisions.
Republican Party & Its Platform
Formed in the 1850s in opposition to the expansion of slavery, advocating for free soil and labor principles.
Attracted former Whigs, Free Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats.
Compromise of 1850
A series of laws aimed at resolving the territorial and slavery controversies arising from the Mexican War.
Included the admission of California as a free state and a stricter Fugitive Slave Act.
Union vs. Confederate Resources in the Civil War
The Union had a greater population and industrial capacity, while the Confederacy had strong military leadership and support for their cause.
Imbalances shaped strategies and outcomes of battles throughout the war.
Goals of the Confederates
Primary goal was to secure independence from the Union and maintain their way of life, including slavery.
Sought international recognition and support, particularly from England and France.
Popular Sovereignty
A political doctrine that allowed residents of territories to decide the legality of slavery for themselves.
Applied notably in the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Passed in 1854, it created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed for popular sovereignty to decide the slavery issue.
Led to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas" as pro- and anti-slavery factions collided.
Dred Scott Decision
A landmark Supreme Court decision in 1857 which ruled that African Americans could not be citizens and that Congress lacked the power to regulate slavery in the territories.
Stoked tensions leading up to the Civil War.
Emancipation of Slaves
The process of freeing enslaved individuals; significantly enacted through the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the Civil War.
Lincoln as President/Views on Emancipation
Lincoln initially focused on preserving the Union rather than immediately abolishing slavery.
His views evolved, culminating in the Emancipation Proclamation aiming to weaken the Confederacy.
Post Civil War Southern Economy & Society
The South faced economic devastation and social upheaval due to infrastructure destruction and loss of slave labor.
New systems like sharecropping emerged as a response to labor shortages.
Black Codes
Laws passed in Southern states to restrict the rights of newly freed African Americans post-Civil War.
Aimed to maintain white supremacy and control over the labor force.
Sharecropping
A labor system where landowners allowed tenants to use the land in exchange for a share of the crops produced.
Often resulted in a cycle of poverty due to high debts and unfair practices.
Reconstruction: Presidential vs. Congressional
Presidential Reconstruction led by Lincoln and Johnson aimed for quick reunification without significant protections for freedmen's rights.
Congressional Reconstruction enforced stricter measures, including military occupation and the protection of African American rights.
Reconstruction Acts of 1867
Series of laws that laid out the process for readmitting Southern states into the Union.
Required states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing black suffrage.
Reconstruction Amendments: 13th, 14th, 15th
13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.
14th Amendment (1868): Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born in the U.S.
15th Amendment (1870): Prohibited voting discrimination based on race
Women’s Rights: - Early voices included Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, culminating in the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, which issued the Declaration of Sentiments advocating for women's suffrage.