9 Key Concepts for AP U.S. History AP Exams Spring 2021
The Princeton Review
Hi, everyone.
Welcome back!
I’m Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review, and today we’re tackling the top
9 historical periods and related concepts you’ll need to master to ace the AP US History
exam this May.
And folks, there’s A LOT to cover!
College Board breaks down the historical events covered by the AP U.S. History exam into 9
key historical periods beginning in 1491 to the present day.
While we can’t fit every detail, event, and policy into this short video, the good
news is that you’re not asked to do that on the exam either.
While you’ll obviously benefit from knowing more detail than we’re going to cover here,
the AP U.S. History exam is more focused on whether you understand key concepts in the
time periods we’re about to discuss, than it is on whether you know all the nitty-gritty
details.
So, even as you’re learning the exact dates of important amendments and Supreme Court
decisions, you’ll want to be putting them in their historical context—in other words,
these 9 periods.
So, let’s jump right in!
#1 – Early Contact with the New World (from 1491 to 1607): The main concepts you want
to understand here is the clash of cultures between diverse Native American populations
and the Europeans arriving on their land, as well as how the Columbian exchange revolutionized
both European and Native cultures by expanding trade and technology to create a racially
mixed New World.
You should also understand how extended contact with Native Americans fostered a debate among
European leaders about how non-Europeans should be treated.
African slavery began during this time, and gradually replaced Native slavery and European
indentured servitude.
#2 – The Colonization of North America (from 1607 to 1754): The key concept you’ll want
to grasp from this period is how the four main colonizing powers in North America—Spain,
France, The Netherlands, and England—differed in their interactions with Native populations.
To speak generally and broadly here: Spain tended to conquer and subjugate native inhabitants.
France opted to ally with them through trade alliances and intermarriage.
The Netherlands attempted to build a great trading empire.
Whereas English colonies, by contrast, attempted to exclude Native Americans altogether.
You’ll also want to understand how Europeans battled with Native Americans for control
of land, fur, and fishing rights.
Some pivotal conflicts include the Powhatan Wars, King Philip’s War, and the Pueblo
Revolt.
#3 – American Independence (from 1754 to 1800): The events over the next 46 years will
mark the period of American Independence.
You should understand how Britain’s increased attempts to control the colonies and impose
burdensome taxation led to a desire for revolution as well as a change in government structure—colonists
cited values of personal liberty and democracy over monarchy and aristocracy.
#4 – The Beginnings of Modern American Democracy (from 1800 to 1848): During this period, the
newly formed United States struggled to define its ideals as the North, South, and West navigated
sectional strife and regional economic differences.The key concepts you’ll want to understand here
are how new developments in technology, agriculture, and commerce built the United States’ wealth
and infrastructure, leading to what we now call the "Market Revolution."
You’ll also need to know the beginnings of social reform during the 19th century,
including how abolitionists, feminists, and temperance activists organized to promote
their ideas, and how slavery became one of the most important socio-policital issues
of the time.
#5 – The Civil War and Reconstruction (from 1844 to 1877): This period is marked by the
regional tensions over slavery and states’ rights that led to the Civil War.
You’ll want to have a firm grasp of key battles, including the Battle of Antietam
and the Battle of Gettysburg.
You’ll also want to have a solid understanding of the Reconstruction era.
It took the South many years to recover from the economic and social upheaval of the Civil
War, and to physically reconstruct Southern towns, cities, and property that had been
destroyed during the war.
This also meant integrating newly freed Blacks into American society—giving way to the
rise of insurgent terrorist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and White League.
You’ll need to know both the successes and failures of post-Civil War Reconstruction.
#6 – The Industrial Revolution (from 1865 to 1898): Folks, there is so much to cover
in this period!
The last quarter of the 19th century is often called the Age of Invention due to the many
technological advances—like Edison’s light bulb—which generated a need for mass production
and urbanization leading to the Industrial Revolution.
In the North, factories and cities were developed to minimize manufacturing costs, which relied
on cheap labor from children, women, and immigrants.
Large businesses also encountered little to no governmental regulation, which in turn
sparked the creation of labor unions and social reform in response to government corruption
and corporate abuse of power.
By contrast, in the South, agriculture continued as the main industry.
You’ll want to be well-versed in sharecropping, the advent of Jim Crow laws, and the beginning
of “separate but equal” segregation established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896.
You should also know about developments in the West, including the growth of the ranching
and mining industries, along with railroad construction.
#7– The Early 20th Century: The most important concept to remember from this period is America’s
transition from a largely rural and agricultural society to an urban industrialized society.There
was also increased federal government involvement during the Progessive Era, wherein President
Wilson called for the federal government to assume greater control over businesses in
order to curb corporate abuses.
America also became enmeshed in foreign conflicts.
Study up on the foreign conflicts that led to World War I and also the aftermath of the
war, including the rise of isolationism and anti-immigrant sentiment.
There are also some key congressional acts you should familiarize yourself with, including
the Espionage Act and Selective Service Act of 1917, as well as the establishment of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (aka the FBI).
You should also be well-informed about The Great Depression and new innovations in modern
culture, including the automobile and radio, which revolutionized daily American life.
And finally, know about the events and foreign policies leading to World World II, as well
as the events during and after the war.
#8 – The Postwar Period and Cold War: There’s certainly a lot to cover during this 35-year
period, but the main concept to focus on here is the aftermath of World War II.
Study up on the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, and growing anticommunism
sentiments that influenced foreign policy and gave rise to McCarthyism.
You should also have a firm grasp of domestic policy during Truman, Eisenhower, and the
JFK administrations, the Civil Rights Movement, feminism, and the hippie counterculture that
marked the 1960’s.
And of course, you can’t forget about the Vietnam War, Watergate, and Nixon's resignation!
#9 – The 21st Century (1980 to Present day): Lastly, here are the key things you should
focus on in recent history.
First, be sure to know about notable events and policies that took place during the Reagan,
George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush presidential administrations.
You’ll also want to study up on the intense political and cultural debates of this era,
as well as the War on Terror and interventionist foreign policy in the early 2000’s in response
to 9/11.
And finally, we can’t forget about the dot-com bubble and digital revolution from 1990 to
2010—say hello to the internet, e-commerce, and cell phones!
Please note that while it is unlikely that you’ll see questions on your test regarding
the presidential elections of Barack Obama in 2008 or of Donald Trump in 2016, it may
help to know a bit about the financial crash of 2008, the Affordable Care Act aka “Obamacare,”
and the contentious 2016 election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Phew!
That was a whirlwind of history.
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Thanks for watching, and see you next time!