APUSH Full Study Guide
SECTION 1: CONTENT OVERVIEW
PERIOD 1 (1491–1607): Pre-Columbian to Early Colonization
● N
ative Societies: Advanced civilizations like the Mississippians and Ancestral Puebloans
developed complex social, political, and religious systems. Adapted to environment (e.g.,
irrigation, farming).
● E
uropean Motivations: Spain led with goals of Gold, God, and Glory. The Columbian
Exchange transformed ecology, agriculture, and populations (smallpox devastated
Native Americans).
● S
panish Colonization: Established missions, the encomienda system (forced labor), and
Catholic conversion. Bartolomé de las Casas advocated for better treatment of Natives.
PERIOD 2 (1607–1754): Colonial America
● Colonial Regions:
○ C
hesapeake (VA, MD): Tobacco economy, labor via indentured servitude →
slavery.
○ N
ew England (MA, CT): Puritan religious motives, towns, education, strict moral
codes.
○ M
iddle Colonies (PA, NY): Ethnic/religious diversity, commerce, and grain
farming.
○ Southern Colonies (SC, GA): Rice, indigo plantations, large enslaved population.
● Transatlantic Trade: Mercantilism, Navigation Acts, and the Triangular Trade.
● Conflict with Natives: King Philip’s War (1675), Pueblo Revolt (1680).
● Colonial Identity: Early self-government (Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses).
, PERIOD 3 (1754–1800): Revolution and Nation-Building
● French and Indian War: Britain won, but taxed colonies to pay debt → tension.
● Road to Revolution: Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Tea Party → Intolerable Acts.
● Declaration of Independence (1776): Based on Enlightenment ideas (natural rights).
● Revolutionary War: Key battles – Saratoga, Yorktown. Treaty of Paris (1783).
● Articles of Confederation: Weak central government; replaced after Shays’ Rebellion.
● U.S. Constitution: Stronger federal structure. Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise.
● First Political Parties: Federalists (Hamilton) vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson).
PERIOD 4 (1800–1848): Expansion and Reform
● J
effersonian Era: Louisiana Purchase (1803), Embargo Act (1807), rise of the yeoman
farmer ideal.
● M
arket Revolution: Factories, canals (Erie), railroads, and telegraph transformed
economy.
● J
acksonian Democracy: Expanded suffrage for white men, Indian Removal Act, Bank
War.
● R
eform Movements: Second Great Awakening, temperance, abolition, women’s rights
(Seneca Falls, 1848).
PERIOD 5 (1844–1877): Civil War and Reconstruction
● Manifest Destiny: Mexican-American War (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848).
● S
ectional Tensions: Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act, Kansas-Nebraska Act,
Dred Scott.
● C
ivil War (1861–65): Triggered by Lincoln’s election. Emancipation Proclamation. Union
victory.
SECTION 1: CONTENT OVERVIEW
PERIOD 1 (1491–1607): Pre-Columbian to Early Colonization
● N
ative Societies: Advanced civilizations like the Mississippians and Ancestral Puebloans
developed complex social, political, and religious systems. Adapted to environment (e.g.,
irrigation, farming).
● E
uropean Motivations: Spain led with goals of Gold, God, and Glory. The Columbian
Exchange transformed ecology, agriculture, and populations (smallpox devastated
Native Americans).
● S
panish Colonization: Established missions, the encomienda system (forced labor), and
Catholic conversion. Bartolomé de las Casas advocated for better treatment of Natives.
PERIOD 2 (1607–1754): Colonial America
● Colonial Regions:
○ C
hesapeake (VA, MD): Tobacco economy, labor via indentured servitude →
slavery.
○ N
ew England (MA, CT): Puritan religious motives, towns, education, strict moral
codes.
○ M
iddle Colonies (PA, NY): Ethnic/religious diversity, commerce, and grain
farming.
○ Southern Colonies (SC, GA): Rice, indigo plantations, large enslaved population.
● Transatlantic Trade: Mercantilism, Navigation Acts, and the Triangular Trade.
● Conflict with Natives: King Philip’s War (1675), Pueblo Revolt (1680).
● Colonial Identity: Early self-government (Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses).
, PERIOD 3 (1754–1800): Revolution and Nation-Building
● French and Indian War: Britain won, but taxed colonies to pay debt → tension.
● Road to Revolution: Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Tea Party → Intolerable Acts.
● Declaration of Independence (1776): Based on Enlightenment ideas (natural rights).
● Revolutionary War: Key battles – Saratoga, Yorktown. Treaty of Paris (1783).
● Articles of Confederation: Weak central government; replaced after Shays’ Rebellion.
● U.S. Constitution: Stronger federal structure. Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise.
● First Political Parties: Federalists (Hamilton) vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson).
PERIOD 4 (1800–1848): Expansion and Reform
● J
effersonian Era: Louisiana Purchase (1803), Embargo Act (1807), rise of the yeoman
farmer ideal.
● M
arket Revolution: Factories, canals (Erie), railroads, and telegraph transformed
economy.
● J
acksonian Democracy: Expanded suffrage for white men, Indian Removal Act, Bank
War.
● R
eform Movements: Second Great Awakening, temperance, abolition, women’s rights
(Seneca Falls, 1848).
PERIOD 5 (1844–1877): Civil War and Reconstruction
● Manifest Destiny: Mexican-American War (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848).
● S
ectional Tensions: Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act, Kansas-Nebraska Act,
Dred Scott.
● C
ivil War (1861–65): Triggered by Lincoln’s election. Emancipation Proclamation. Union
victory.
