Apush Study Guide: Ace Your Exam

The Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) exam is a challenging and comprehensive assessment of a student’s knowledge of American history from the pre-Columbian era to the present. To help you prepare for this exam, we’ve created a detailed study guide that covers the key topics, concepts, and historical events that you’ll need to know.

Period 1: Pre-Columbian Era to 1607

The first period of APUSH covers the history of the Americas from the pre-Columbian era to the early colonial period. Key topics include:

• The cultures and civilizations of Native American societies, such as the Aztecs, Incas, and Iroquois
• The impact of European exploration and colonization on Native American populations
• The establishment of the first successful English colonies at Jamestown and Plymouth
• The role of religion, economics, and politics in shaping the early colonial era

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Columbian Exchange: the transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds
• The encomienda system: a system of forced labor imposed on Native Americans by Spanish colonizers
• The Mayflower Compact: an agreement signed by the Pilgrims establishing a framework for governance in the Plymouth Colony

Period 2: 1607-1754

The second period of APUSH covers the colonial era from the establishment of Jamestown to the French and Indian War. Key topics include:

• The development of colonial societies, including the rise of slavery and the growth of cities
• The impact of European conflicts, such as the Thirty Years’ War, on the colonial era
• The role of religion, particularly Puritanism, in shaping colonial culture and politics
• The growth of colonial economies, including the rise of trade and commerce

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Massachusetts Bay Colony: a Puritan colony established in 1629 that played a significant role in the development of American culture and politics
• The Pueblo Revolt: a rebellion by Native Americans against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico
• The Glorious Revolution: a revolution in England that led to the establishment of constitutional monarchy and had significant implications for the colonies

Period 3: 1754-1800

The third period of APUSH covers the late colonial era and the American Revolution. Key topics include:

• The causes and consequences of the French and Indian War, including the Proclamation of 1763 and the Treaty of Paris
• The growth of patriotism and nationalism in the colonies, including the role of the Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea Party
• The American Revolution, including the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris
• The creation of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Stamp Act: a law imposed by the British government that led to widespread protests and resistance in the colonies
• The Boston Massacre: a clash between British soldiers and American colonists that helped to galvanize opposition to British rule
• The Constitutional Convention: a gathering of delegates that drafted the United States Constitution

Period 4: 1800-1848

The fourth period of APUSH covers the early national period and the Mexican-American War. Key topics include:

• The growth of nationalism and the role of the federal government in shaping American society and politics
• The impact of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition on American expansion
• The War of 1812 and its consequences, including the Burning of Washington and the Treaty of Ghent
• The growth of sectionalism and the debates over slavery and states’ rights

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Missouri Compromise: a law that admitted Missouri as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30’ parallel
• The Monroe Doctrine: a policy statement that asserted American opposition to European intervention in the Americas
• The Trail of Tears: a forced relocation of Native American tribes from the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma)

Period 5: 1848-1877

The fifth period of APUSH covers the late antebellum era, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Key topics include:

• The growth of sectionalism and the debates over slavery and states’ rights
• The Mexican-American War and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Dred Scott decision
• The Civil War and Reconstruction, including the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment, and the Reconstruction Amendments

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Compromise of 1850: a series of laws that admitted California as a free state and strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act
• The Underground Railroad: a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved Africans to escape to freedom in the North
• The Freedmen’s Bureau: a federal agency established to provide assistance to formerly enslaved individuals during Reconstruction

Period 6: 1877-1900

The sixth period of APUSH covers the Gilded Age and the late 19th century. Key topics include:

• The growth of industrialization and the rise of big business
• The impact of immigration and urbanization on American society
• The growth of populism and the Farmers’ Alliance
• The role of the federal government in regulating the economy and protecting civil rights

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Homestead Act: a law that provided land grants to settlers and encouraged westward expansion
• The Sherman Anti-Trust Act: a law that prohibited monopolies and promoted competition
• The Plessy v. Ferguson decision: a Supreme Court ruling that upheld segregation and established the “separate but equal” doctrine

Period 7: 1900-1945

The seventh period of APUSH covers the early 20th century, including World War I and the Great Depression. Key topics include:

• The growth of progressivism and the role of the federal government in regulating the economy and protecting civil rights
• The United States’ entry into World War I and the Treaty of Versailles
• The Roaring Twenties and the Harlem Renaissance
• The Great Depression and the New Deal

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The 19th Amendment: a constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote
• The Espionage Act: a law that prohibited anti-war speech and activity during World War I
• The Scottsboro Boys: a group of African American men who were wrongly accused of rape and whose case highlighted racial injustice in the South

Period 8: 1945-1980

The eighth period of APUSH covers the post-World War II era, including the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement. Key topics include:

• The origins of the Cold War and the role of the United States in the international arena
• The growth of suburbanization and the rise of consumer culture
• The Civil Rights Movement, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Voting Rights Act
• The Vietnam War and the anti-war movement

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Truman Doctrine: a policy statement that committed the United States to containing communism
• The Brown v. Board of Education decision: a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional
• The Watts Riots: a series of riots and protests in Los Angeles that highlighted racial tensions and police brutality

Period 9: 1980-Present

The ninth and final period of APUSH covers the late 20th century and the early 21st century. Key topics include:

• The rise of conservatism and the Reagan Revolution
• The end of the Cold War and the role of the United States in the post-Soviet era
• The growth of globalization and the impact of technology on American society
• The War on Terror and the ongoing debates over national security and civil liberties

Some important events and concepts to remember from this period include:

• The Iran-Contra Affair: a scandal involving the secret sale of arms to Iran and the diversion of funds to anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua
• The Oklahoma City bombing: a domestic terrorist attack that killed 168 people and highlighted the dangers of right-wing extremism
• The Patriot Act: a law that expanded surveillance powers and restricted civil liberties in the name of national security

By following this study guide and practicing with sample questions, you can feel confident and prepared for the APUSH exam. Remember to stay focused, stay organized, and to use active learning techniques to retain information and develop a deeper understanding of American history. Good luck!