Apush Period 7 Review Challenge

APUSH Period 7 Review Challenge: Mastering the Gilded Age to the 1940s

This comprehensive guide tackles the APUSH Period 7 review, covering the tumultuous era from the Gilded Age to the eve of World War II. This period, spanning roughly from 1890 to 1945, is rich with significant events, transformative social movements, and profound economic shifts. Mastering this period requires understanding not just the what but also the why and the how these events shaped the United States into the global power it is today. This challenge will help you solidify your knowledge and prepare for the AP exam.

I. The Gilded Age (1870s-1900): A Time of Extremes

The Gilded Age, a term coined by Mark Twain, perfectly captures the era's paradoxical nature. While the nation experienced unprecedented economic growth fueled by industrialization, this prosperity was unevenly distributed, creating vast disparities between the wealthy elite and the working class.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Industrialization and its Impacts: The rise of industrial titans like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan fundamentally reshaped the American economy. This led to:
  • Monopolies and Trusts: The emergence of powerful corporations controlling entire industries, sparking debates about their impact on competition and the economy. Understand the strategies used to build these monopolies (horizontal and vertical integration).
  • Labor Movements: The growth of industrialization also led to the rise of labor unions like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), fighting for better working conditions, wages, and the right to organize. Know the major strikes (e.g., Pullman Strike, Haymarket Riot) and their consequences.
  • Immigration and Urbanization: Massive waves of immigration, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe, fueled the growth of urban centers. This resulted in overcrowding, poverty, and social tensions. Explore the experiences of immigrant groups and their contributions to American society.
• Political Corruption and Reform: The Gilded Age was marked by widespread political corruption and the influence of powerful industrialists. However, this also spurred progressive reforms aimed at addressing these issues:
  • Muckrakers: Journalists who exposed social ills and corruption, contributing to public awareness and pushing for reforms. Understand the role of figures like Upton Sinclair ( The Jungle) and Ida Tarbell.
  • Progressive Era Reforms: This period witnessed significant reforms at the local, state, and national levels, including initiatives to regulate businesses, improve working conditions, and expand voting rights. Familiarize yourself with key figures like Theodore Roosevelt and his "Square Deal."

Key People to Know: Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, Eugene V. Debs, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Jacob Riis, Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell.

II. The Progressive Era (1890s-1920s): Reforming America

The Progressive Era built upon the critiques of the Gilded Age, aiming to address social and economic inequalities and improve the lives of ordinary Americans. This era witnessed significant reforms in various sectors, from politics to labor to social welfare.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Progressive Reforms at the Local, State, and National Levels: Explore initiatives like the initiative, referendum, and recall; the direct election of senators; women's suffrage; and food and drug safety regulations.
• Trust-Busting: Theodore Roosevelt's efforts to break up monopolies and promote competition. Understand the Sherman Antitrust Act and its application during this period.
• Conservation Movement: The growing awareness of environmental concerns and the efforts to conserve natural resources. Understand Roosevelt's role in establishing national parks and forests.
• The Rise of Progressivism: This was a multifaceted movement with diverse goals and approaches. Understand the different factions within the progressive movement and their varying priorities. Consider the limitations of progressivism and who it excluded.

Key People to Know: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jane Addams, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells-Barnett.

III. Imperialism and American Foreign Policy (Late 19th & Early 20th Centuries): Expanding Influence

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the United States emerge as a major global power, expanding its influence through imperialism and interventionism.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Spanish-American War: The causes, consequences, and significance of this conflict, including the acquisition of territories like Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
• Roosevelt Corollary: An addition to the Monroe Doctrine, asserting the right of the United States to intervene in Latin American affairs.
• Open Door Policy: The United States' policy toward China, aiming to secure equal trading rights for all nations.
• The Debate over Imperialism: Understand the arguments for and against American imperialism, including the economic, political, and moral dimensions.

Key People to Know: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson.

IV. World War I and its Aftermath (1914-1920s): Global Conflict and its Impact

The United States' entry into World War I marked a pivotal moment in its history, transforming it into a leading global power. The war's aftermath had profound and lasting consequences for American society and politics.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Neutrality and Entry into WWI: Analyze the factors that led to the United States' eventual entry into the war.
• Wartime Mobilization: The mobilization of the American economy and society for war, including the role of the government in regulating production and raising troops.
• Wilsonian Idealism and the League of Nations: President Wilson's vision for a post-war world order and the debate over the League of Nations.
• Post-War Social and Political Changes: The impact of the war on American society, including the rise of nativism, the Red Scare, and the changing role of women.

Key People to Know: Woodrow Wilson, Henry Cabot Lodge.

V. The Roaring Twenties (1920s): Economic Prosperity and Social Change

The 1920s witnessed a period of economic prosperity and significant social change, but also growing social tensions and anxieties.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Economic Boom: Factors contributing to the economic boom of the 1920s, including mass production, consumerism, and technological innovations.
• Social and Cultural Changes: The changing roles of women, the rise of jazz music and the Harlem Renaissance, and the changing moral landscape.
• Prohibition: The banning of alcohol and its impact on society.
• Nativism and the Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: The resurgence of nativism and the growth of the Ku Klux Klan during this era.

Key People to Know: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Langston Hughes, Marcus Garvey, Calvin Coolidge, Warren G. Harding.

VI. The Great Depression (1929-1930s): Economic Crisis and its Consequences

The Great Depression, beginning with the stock market crash of 1929, had devastating consequences for the American economy and society.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Causes of the Great Depression: Analyze the various factors that contributed to the economic collapse.
• The Hoover Administration's Response: President Hoover's policies and their inadequacy in addressing the crisis.
• The New Deal: President Franklin D. Roosevelt's ambitious program to combat the Depression, including its various components (relief, recovery, and reform). Understand the successes and limitations of the New Deal.
• The Impact of the Depression on Society: Analyze the social and cultural consequences of the Great Depression, including unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

Key People to Know: Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Know key New Deal programs like the CCC, WPA, TVA, Social Security Act.

VII. The Road to World War II (1930s-1941): Isolationism and Intervention

The 1930s saw the rise of fascism in Europe and Asia, posing a significant threat to global peace. The United States initially pursued a policy of isolationism, but gradually moved toward intervention as the threat of war grew.

Key Themes & Concepts:

• Isolationism vs. Interventionism: The debate over American foreign policy during the 1930s.
• Appeasement and the Rise of Nazi Germany: The policies of appeasement adopted by European powers and the growing threat posed by Nazi Germany.
• Japanese Expansionism in Asia: Japanese aggression in Asia and its implications for American interests.
• Lend-Lease Act: The act that provided military aid to Allied nations.
• Pearl Harbor and American Entry into WWII: The attack on Pearl Harbor and its impact on American public opinion and the decision to enter the war.

Key People to Know: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Hideki Tojo.

VIII. Preparing for the APUSH Exam: Strategies and Tips

Now that you've reviewed the key themes and concepts of APUSH Period 7, here's how to effectively prepare for the exam:

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Use practice tests and questions to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
• Focus on Causation and Context: The AP exam emphasizes understanding the causes and consequences of historical events and placing them within their historical context.
• Develop Strong Essay-Writing Skills: Practice writing essays that effectively address the prompt, provide historical evidence, and demonstrate your understanding of historical themes.
• Master Key Terms and Concepts: Familiarize yourself with key terms, concepts, and figures associated with each topic.
• Review Your Notes Regularly: Consistent review will help you retain information and connect different historical events and themes.
• Use Multiple Resources: Consult textbooks, online resources, and other materials to gain a comprehensive understanding of the period.

This comprehensive review of APUSH Period 7 provides a solid foundation for your exam preparation. Remember, understanding the interconnectedness of these events and themes is crucial for success. Good luck! You’ve got this!