AP® US History

Period 1: 1491 to 1607

The period from 1491 to 1607 witnessed the complex interactions between Native American societies and European explorers, marked by cultural exchanges, competition for resources, and significant demographic shifts.

Short Answer Questions

Analyze brief written responses that assess understanding of three themes: interactions in the Americas, changes brought by European expansion, and early colonial societies, involving historical evidence and reasoning.

3 questions

Columbian Exchange and Disease

Pre-Columbian Native Life & Columbian Exchange

Spanish-Portuguese West African Slave Trade

Long Essay Questions

Long essay questions require analyzing historical evidence to develop a clear, coherent thesis while evaluating multiple perspectives and demonstrating a deep understanding of the historical period or theme.

2 questions

Spanish and Native American Relationships in Pre-Columbian Life

Tensions Between Spanish and Native Peoples

Period 2: 1607 to 1754

Period 2 (1607-1754) covers the establishment and development of British colonies in North America, highlighting interactions with Native Americans, the rise of slavery, and the influence of European imperial goals.

Short Answer Questions

Provide specific responses to prompts using pertinent historical evidence and analysis from the period 1607 to 1754, demonstrating knowledge of key developments in European colonization and interactions with indigenous peoples.

3 questions

Native Alliances

Chesapeake and Middle Colonies: Historical Comparisons

Powhatan War

Long Essay Questions

Long Essay Questions during this period require analyzing causes and effects of European settlement in America, changes in colonial society, and relations with Native Americans, examining economic, social, and political transformations.

3 questions

British Control

English Colonization and the Environment

The Development of Slavery

Period 3: 1754 to 1800

Period 3 in U.S. history highlights the development of American independence, nationalism, and governance from the French and Indian War through the early republic, including the ideological foundations of the Constitution.

Short Answer Questions

Analyze historical evidence and present clear, concise responses to questions requiring an understanding of significant themes and developments between 1754 and 1800, focusing on key concepts and historical reasoning.

4 questions

British Economic Measures Before the Revolution

New Democratic and Republican Ideals

Stamp Act Perspectives

The Articles of Confederation

Long Essay Questions

Craft an essay that analyzes historical evidence, constructs a clear thesis, and evaluates the causes and effects of significant developments during the American Revolution and the formation of the United States.

2 questions

Effects of French and Indian War

Foreign Policy Debates Between the Two Major Parties

Document-Based Questions (Standard)

Evaluating primary and secondary sources, determine historical significance, causation, and continuity through evidence-based analysis.

3 questions

Labor Systems

Contrasting Political Visions

Development of Political Parties

Period 4: 1800 to 1848

Period 4 (1800-1848) saw the U.S. grapple with issues like a growing democratic spirit, the rise of new political parties, westward expansion, market revolution impacts, and reform movements, shaping national identity and institutions.

Short Answer Questions

Analyze key developments in the U.S. from 1800 to 1848, including the rise of democracy, emerging national culture, economic innovations, and evolving debates over states' rights, slavery, and foreign policy.

4 questions

Effects of the Great Awakening

King Andrew

Party Politics, 1828-1848

Women in the Antebellum Era

Long Essay Questions

Analyze significant developments in U.S. history from 1800 to 1848, evaluating primary and secondary sources, and constructing coherent, well-supported historical arguments.

2 questions

Jackson's Presidency

The War of 1812 and Nationalism

Document-Based Questions (Standard)

Analyze historical documents from 1800 to 1848, interpreting evidence within its historical context and constructing an argument supported by primary sources on themes like democracy, reform, and territorial expansion.

1 question

The Second Great Awakening

Period 5: 1844 to 1877

Period 5 (1844-1877) covers the United States' expansion and sectional conflict leading to the Civil War, followed by Reconstruction, addressing issues of national unity, slavery, and the rights of African Americans.

Short Answer Questions

Evaluate the significant causes and effects of territorial expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, considering political, economic, and social changes from 1844 to 1877.

3 questions

Civil War Factors

Manifest Destiny

Thomas Nast and Reconstruction

Long Essay Questions

Analyze factors such as technological developments, economic changes, political issues, and social movements during the period 1844-1877, and evaluate their impact on sectional tensions and national identity.

2 questions

Evaluating Reconstruction

The Significance of the 13th Amendment

Document-Based Questions (Standard)

Examine primary and secondary sources to craft a cogent argument about a historical topic within the context of 1844-1877, supported by evidence from provided documents and relevant historical knowledge.

2 questions

Approaches to Abolition

Causes of the Civil War

Period 6: 1865 to 1898

Period 6 (1865-1898) encapsulates rapid industrialization, urbanization, and westward expansion in the U.S., accompanied by labor movements, increased immigration, and significant social and cultural transformations.

Short Answer Questions

Answer prompts require concise, evidence-based responses to questions on historical topics from 1865 to 1898, focusing on analyzing, comparing, and contextualizing information relevant to the period.

3 questions

Labor Unrest

The Bosses of the Senate

The Second Industrial Revolution

Long Essay Questions

Analyze historical events or periods from 1865 to 1898, focusing on the causes and impacts of industrialization, immigration, urbanization, and the rise of corporate power on American society and government.

2 questions

Industrial Growth

The Response of Workers to a Changing Economy

Document-Based Questions (Standard)

Evaluate historical documents to develop an argument, incorporating evidence within a broader historical context of the period from 1865 to 1898.

1 question

Nast and National Tolerance

Period 7: 1890 to 1945

Period 7 (1890–1945) captures a transformative era in U.S. history marked by industrialization, global conflicts, the Great Depression, New Deal reforms, and shifts in domestic and foreign policies.

Short Answer Questions

These questions assess the ability to analyze specific historical evidence or developments from 1890 to 1945, requiring concise responses that demonstrate understanding of significant events and themes during this period.

4 questions

Comparing WWI and WWII

Monopolies

New Immigration

Suffragettes

Long Essay Questions

Evaluate the impact of significant events from 1890 to 1945 on American society, economy, and politics, considering causes, developments, and consequences to support a cohesive historical argument.

2 questions

African American Migration

The Role of the Federal Government

Document-Based Questions (Standard)

Document analysis involves evaluating primary sources' context, purpose, and significance to support a historical argument, often requiring synthesis of diverse historical evidence.

2 questions

Government Regulations

Organized Labor, Populists, and Progressives

Period 8: 1945 to 1980

Period 8 (1945-1980) describes post-WWII America, covering the Cold War, civil rights movements, and shifts in political, economic, cultural, and social dynamics.

Short Answer Questions

Assessing developments from 1945 to 1980, covering Cold War tensions, civil rights movement progress, technological and economic shifts, and cultural transformations, reflecting on their impacts on American society.

3 questions

Civil Rights and Citizenship

Nixon

War on Poverty

Long Essay Questions

Analyze and evaluate the causes and effects of historical events, developments, and processes within the context of the United States from 1945 to 1980, incorporating evidence and constructing cohesive arguments.

4 questions

Civil Rights and the Anti-Vietnam War Movements

Comparing Social Movements

The Menace of Communism

Tracing the Historical Origins of the Civil Rights Movement

Document-Based Questions (Standard)

Document-based questions require analyzing primary and secondary sources to construct an argument with evidence, emphasizing skills in contextualization, synthesis, and written communication.

1 question

Civil Rights Movement

Period 9: 1980 - Present

From 1980 to the present, the United States experienced profound technological, economic, and demographic changes alongside challenges such as globalization, political realignment, and debates over the federal government's role.

Short Answer Questions

Short answer questions assess the ability to concisely analyze historical developments, identify key concepts, and demonstrate a clear understanding of historical evidence through synthesizing information and supporting claims.

2 questions

Terrorism in the 1990s

U.S. Aid to the Contras

Long Essay Questions

Craft a coherent argument addressing significant historical developments since 1980 by evaluating relevant evidence, recognizing various perspectives, and demonstrating clear connections between events.

2 questions