Topics Covered
AP United States History
A. Period 1: 1491–1607 — Early Contact Between Native Americans and Europeans
1 Native American societies before European contact
2 Causes of European exploration and conquest
3 Columbian Exchange: effects on Europe, Africa, and the Americas
4 Early Spanish colonization (Encomienda system, caste system)
5 Debates over Native American treatment
B. Period 2: 1607–1754 — Colonization of North America
1 Development of the Chesapeake and Southern colonies
2 Development of the New England colonies
3 Middle Colonies and religious tolerance
4 Transatlantic trade (mercantilism, Triangular Trade)
5 Resistance to colonial authority (Bacon’s Rebellion, Pueblo Revolt)
C. Period 3: 1754–1800 — Revolution and New Government
1 Causes and effects of the French and Indian War
2 Growing colonial resistance (Stamp Act, Boston Tea Party)
3 Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War
4 Articles of Confederation: strengths and weaknesses
5 Constitution: compromises and ratification
6 Federalists vs Anti-Federalists debates
7 Washington and Adams presidencies: major policies
D. Period 4: 1800–1848 — Expansion and Reform
1 Jeffersonian democracy and the expansion of federal power
2 Market Revolution: impact on economy and society
3 Second Great Awakening and reform movements
4 Growth of American nationalism and culture
5 Jacksonian Democracy and the "Common Man"
6 The Second Party System: Democrats and Whigs
E. Period 5: 1844–1877 — Civil War and Reconstruction
1 Manifest Destiny and territorial expansion
2 Sectionalism: growing tensions over slavery
3 Causes of the Civil War (Compromise of 1850, Dred Scott case)
4 Major events and turning points of the Civil War
5 Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction plans
6 Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, 15th)
7 Successes and failures of Reconstruction
F. Period 6: 1865–1898 — Industrialization and the Gilded Age
1 The rise of industrial capitalism
2 Labor movements and strikes (AFL, Knights of Labor)
3 Immigration and urbanization
4 Political machines and corruption
5 Populist Party and agrarian movements
6 Native American resistance and assimilation policies
G. Period 7: 1890–1945 — Progressive Era to World War II
1 Progressive reforms at local, state, and national levels
2 U.S. imperialism and the Spanish-American War
3 World War I: causes and consequences
4 The Roaring Twenties: cultural and social change
5 The Great Depression and New Deal programs
6 U.S. involvement in World War II and effects on the home front
H. Period 8: 1945–1980 — Cold War and Postwar America
1 Origins of the Cold War and containment policies
2 Domestic life after World War II: suburbanization, consumerism
3 Civil Rights Movement: major events and leaders
4 Liberal movements of the 1960s and 1970s (feminism, environmentalism)
5 Vietnam War and protest movements
6 Social and economic changes under Nixon, Ford, and Carter
I. Period 9: 1980–Present — Contemporary America
1 Rise of conservatism under Reagan
2 End of the Cold War and its global impact
3 Economic globalization and technology advancements
4 Debates over immigration and diversity
5 War on Terror and the U.S. after 9/11
6 Modern political, social, and cultural developments
J. AP Exam Practice Skills
1 Developing historical arguments (thesis writing)
2 Analyzing primary and secondary sources
3 Comparison, causation, and continuity/change over time
4 Document-Based Question (DBQ) strategies
5 Long Essay Question (LEQ) strategies
6 Multiple-choice and short-answer question practice
