AP United States History
The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.
Semester 1
Unit 1: Period 1 (1491–1607)
- I can explain the context for European encounters in the Americas from 1491 to 1607.
- I can explain how and why various European colonies developed and expanded from 1607 to 1754.
Unit 2: Period 2 (1607–1754)
- I can explain the causes and effects of transatlantic trade and migration.
- I can explain how and why slavery developed and expanded.
- I can analyze how colonial society developed and changed.
Unit 3: Period 3 (1754–1800)
- I can explain the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War.
- I can explain the causes and effects of the American Revolution.
- I can analyze the development of the U.S. Constitution and the early republic.
Unit 4: Period 4 (1800–1848)
- I can explain the causes and effects of westward expansion.
- I can analyze the growth of democracy and reform movements.
- I can explain the causes of increased sectional conflict.
Semester 2
Unit 5: Period 5 (1844–1877)
- I can explain the causes and effects of the Civil War.
- I can analyze the successes and failures of Reconstruction.
Unit 6: Period 6 (1865–1898)
- I can explain the causes and effects of industrialization.
- I can analyze the development of the Gilded Age and responses to it.
Unit 7: Period 7 (1890–1945)
- I can explain the causes and effects of American imperialism.
- I can analyze the causes and consequences of World War I.
- I can explain the causes and effects of the Great Depression and the New Deal.
- I can analyze the causes, major events, and outcomes of World War II.
Unit 8: Period 8 (1945–1980)
- I can explain the causes and effects of the Cold War.
- I can analyze the Civil Rights Movement and other social movements.
- I can evaluate political, economic, and social changes during this period.
Unit 9: Period 9 (1980–Present)
- I can explain the causes and effects of political and economic changes since 1980.
- I can analyze the impact of globalization and technological change.
- I can evaluate the major challenges and developments of the contemporary United States.