AP U.S. History Study Guide

The AP U.S. History exam consists of two sections:

Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (50% of Exam Score)
This section contains 55 questions covering various aspects of U.S. history, from the colonial period to the present.
Section II: Free-Response Questions (50% of Exam Score)
This section includes 3 questions: one Document-Based Question (DBQ) and two long essay questions.

The exam is organized into 9 periods that span U.S. history, and each period focuses on key events, themes, and individuals that shaped the nation.

Key Topics and Concepts in AP U.S. History

Period 1: 1491–1607 — Pre-Colonial and Early Colonial America

Pre-Columbian Societies: Understand the diverse Native American cultures before European contact, including Mississippian, Ancestral Puebloans, and Iroquois.
European Exploration: Study the motivations behind European exploration (e.g., God, Glory, Gold), the role of Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands in exploring the Americas, and key explorers such as Columbus, Cortes, and Ponce de León.
Colombian Exchange: Understand the exchange of goods, ideas, diseases, and people between the Old World and the New World, and its impact on both continents.
Early Colonial Settlements: Learn about the establishment of Jamestown, the Plymouth Colony, and other early settlements. Study the role of indentured servitude and the rise of slavery.

Period 2: 1607–1754 — Colonial America and British Expansion

Colonial Society: Study the economic, political, and social systems in the New England colonies, Middle colonies, and Southern colonies. Understand the differences between the colonies' development, such as Puritanism in New England vs. Cash crops in the South.
Native American Relations: Learn about conflicts between colonists and Native Americans, including the Pequot War and King Philip's War.
Enlightenment and Great Awakening: Understand the influence of the Enlightenment on colonial thinking, focusing on Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, and the religious revivalism of the Great Awakening.
The French and Indian War (1754–1763): Learn about the causes and consequences of this conflict, and how it led to British colonial policies that heightened tensions with the colonies.

Period 3: 1754–1800 — Revolution and Early Republic

The Road to Revolution: Understand the key events leading to the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, and Intolerable Acts. Study the impact of Common Sense by Thomas Paine.
American Revolution: Learn about the battles of the Revolution (e.g., Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, Yorktown) and the diplomatic and military strategies that led to American independence.
Articles of Confederation and U.S. Constitution: Understand the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the creation of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist Papers.
Political Parties: Learn about the rise of political parties, particularly the conflict between Hamilton’s Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans.

Period 4: 1800–1848 — The Early Republic and Jacksonian America

Jeffersonian Era: Study the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, including the Louisiana Purchase and Embargo Act of 1807.
War of 1812: Learn about the causes, key battles, and consequences of the War of 1812 on national identity and politics.
The Market Revolution: Understand the economic transformations brought by the Industrial Revolution, the Transportation Revolution, and the rise of a market economy.
Jacksonian Democracy: Study the expansion of suffrage, the Indian Removal Act, the Bank War, and the rise of the Democratic Party under Andrew Jackson.

Period 5: 1844–1877 — Civil War and Reconstruction

Manifest Destiny: Study the ideological and territorial expansion of the U.S. in the mid-19th century, including the Texas Annexation, the Oregon Trail, and the Mexican-American War.
Slavery and Abolition: Understand the debate over slavery, the Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the rise of the Republican Party. Learn about the abolitionist movement led by figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Civil War: Study the causes, major events, and battles of the Civil War, including the Battle of Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Sherman's March to the Sea.
Reconstruction: Learn about the policies and challenges of Reconstruction, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the Black Codes, and the eventual collapse of Reconstruction.

Period 6: 1865–1898 — The Gilded Age and the Rise of Industrial America

Industrialization: Study the causes and effects of industrialization in the U.S., including the rise of big business, the monopoly system, and the labor movement.
Urbanization: Understand the growth of cities and the challenges of urban life, including issues of immigration, nativism, and political machines.
Populism and Labor Movements: Learn about the Populist movement, labor strikes, and the rise of organized labor groups like the American Federation of Labor.
American Imperialism: Understand the expansion of U.S. influence overseas, including the Spanish-American War and the annexation of territories like the Philippines and Hawaii.

Period 7: 1890–1945 — Progressive Era, The Great Depression, and WWII

Progressivism: Study the political, social, and economic reforms of the Progressive Era, including the work of leaders like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and W.E.B. Du Bois.
The Great Depression: Learn about the causes of the Great Depression, New Deal programs, and the role of Franklin D. Roosevelt in reshaping the American economy and government.
World War II: Understand the causes and effects of World War II, including the rise of Nazism, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the impact of the war on American society (e.g., Japanese internment, women in the workforce).

Period 8: 1945–1980 — Post-War America and Cold War

The Cold War: Study the ideological and military rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, including key events like the Berlin Airlift, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam War.
Civil Rights Movement: Understand the civil rights struggle, focusing on events like Brown v. Board of Education, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The 1960s: Study the social upheaval of the 1960s, including the rise of the counterculture, the anti-Vietnam War movement, and the feminist and LGBTQ movements.
Watergate: Understand the scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon and its impact on American politics.

Period 9: 1980–Present — Contemporary America

Reagan Era and Conservatism: Learn about the rise of Ronald Reagan, the Reagan Revolution, and the conservative shift in American politics during the 1980s.
Globalization and the Economy: Understand the impact of globalization on the U.S. economy, including trade agreements like NAFTA and the rise of China as a global power.
Post-9/11 America: Study the events of September 11, 2001, the subsequent War on Terror, and the Patriot Act.
Social Issues and the Obama Era: Learn about the challenges facing contemporary America, including debates over healthcare reform, immigration, and climate change.

Study Tips for AP U.S. History:

Practice multiple-choice questions to identify areas of weakness.
Review key primary sources and secondary sources for a deeper understanding of historical events.
Create timelines for each period to visualize the progression of events.
Use mnemonic devices to remember key facts, dates, and people.
Practice writing essays with a clear thesis and strong evidence.
Join study groups or forums to discuss key topics.