APUSH KEY CONCEPTS
Period7:1890-1945
KeyConcept7.1:Growthexpandedopportunity,whileeconomicinstabilityledtoneweffortstoreformU.S.societyanditseconomic
system.
I.TheUnitedStatescontinueditstransitionfromarural,agriculturaleconomytoanurban,industrialeconomyledbylarge
companies.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø WXT-2.0:Explainhowpatternsofexchange,markets,andprivateenterprisehavedeveloped,andanalyzeways
thatgovernmentshaverespondedtoeconomicissues.
Ø WXT-3.0:Analyzehowtechnologicalinnovationhasaffectedeconomicdevelopmentandsociety.
Ø MIG-2.0:AnalyzecausesofinternalmigrationandpatternsofsettlementinwhatwouldbecometheUnited
States,andexplainhowmigrationhasaffectedAmericanlife.
A.NewtechnologiesandmanufacturingtechniqueshelpedfocustheU.S.economyontheproductionofconsumergoods,contributingto
improvedstandardsofliving,greaterpersonalmobility,andbettercommunicationssystems.
B.By1920,amajorityof
theU.S.populationlivedinurbancenters,whichofferedneweconomicopportunitiesforwomen,international
migrants,andinternalmigrants.
C.Episodesofcreditandmarketinstabilityintheearly20thcentury,inparticulartheGreatDepression,
ledtocallsforastrongerfinancial
regulatorysystem.
II.IntheProgressiveEraoftheearly20thcentury,Progressivesrespondedtopoliticalcorruption,economicinstability,andsocial
concernsbycallingforgreatergovernmentactionandotherpoliticalandsocialmeasures.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø POL-2.0:Explainhowpopularmovements,reformefforts,andactivistgroupshavesoughttochangeAmerican
societyandinstitutions.
Ø POL-3.0:Explainhowdifferentbeliefsaboutthefederalgovernment’sroleinU.S.socialandeconomiclifehave
affectedpoliticaldebatesandpolicies.
Ø GEO-1.0:Explainhowgeographicandenvironmentalfactorsshapedthedevelopmentofvariouscommunities,
andanalyzehowcompetitionforanddebatesovernaturalresourceshaveaffectedbothinteractionsamong
differentgroupsandthedevelopmentofgovernmentpolicies.
Ø CUL-3.0:Explainhowideasaboutwomen’srightsandgenderroleshaveaffectedsocietyandpolitics.
A.SomeProgressiveErajournalistsattackedwhattheysawaspoliticalcorruption,socialinjustice,andeconomicinequality,while
reformers,oftenfromthemiddleandupperclassesandincludingmanywomen,workedtoeffectsocialchangesincitiesandamong
immigrantpopulations.
B.Onthenationallevel,Progressivessoughtfederallegislationthattheybelievedwouldeffectivelyregulatetheeconomy,expand
democracy,andgeneratemoralreform.ProgressiveamendmentstotheConstitutiondealtwithissuessuchasprohibitionandwoman
suffrage.
C.Preservationistsandconservationistsbothsupportedtheestablishmentofnationalparkswhileadvocatingdifferentgovernment
responsestotheoveruseofnaturalresources.
D.TheProgressivesweredividedovermanyissues.SomeProgressivessupportedSouthernsegregation,
whileothersignoreditspresence.
SomeProgressivesadvocatedexpandingpopularparticipationingovernment,whileotherscalledforgreaterrelianceonprofessionaland
technicalexpertstomakegovernmentmoreefficient.Progressivesalsodisagreedaboutimmigrationrestriction.
III.Duringthe1930s,policymakersrespondedtothemassunemploymentandsocialupheavalsoftheGreatDepressionby
transformingtheU.S.intoalimitedwelfarestate,redefiningthegoalsandideasofmodernAmericanliberalism.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø POL-1.0:Explainhowandwhypoliticalideas,beliefs,institutions,partysystems,andalignmentshave
developedandchanged.
Ø POL-3.0:Explainhowdifferentbeliefsaboutthefederalgovernment’sroleinU.S.socialandeconomiclifehave
affectedpoliticaldebatesandpolicies.
Ø WXT-1.0:ExplainhowdifferentlaborsystemsdevelopedinNorthAmericaandtheUnitedStates,andexplain
theireffectsonworkers’livesandU.S.society.
Ø WXT-2.0:Explainhowpatternsofexchange,markets,andprivateenterprisehavedeveloped,andanalyzeways
thatgovernmentshaverespondedtoeconomicissues.
A.FranklinRoosevelt’sNewDealattemptedtoendtheGreatDepression
byusinggovernmentpowertoproviderelieftothepoor,stimulate
recovery,andreformtheAmericaneconomy.
B.Radical,union,andpopulistmovementspushedRoosevelttowardmoreextensiveeffortstochangetheAmericaneconomicsystem,while
conservativesinCongressandtheSupremeCourtsoughttolimittheNewDeal’sscope.
C.AlthoughtheNewDealdidnotendtheDepression,itleftalegacyofreformsandregulatoryagenciesandfosteredalong-termpolitical
realignmentinwhichmanyethnicgroups,AfricanAmericans,andworking-classcommunitiesidentifiedwiththeDemocraticParty.
KeyConcept7.2:Innovationsincommunicationsandtechnologycontributedtothegrowthofmassculture,whilesignificantchanges
occurredininternalandinternationalmigrationpatterns.
I.PopularculturegrewininfluenceinU.S.society,evenasdebatesincreasedovertheeffectsofcultureonpublicvalues,morals,and
Americannationalidentity.
Related Thematic Learning Objectives (Focus on Exam Questions)
Ø NAT-2.0: Explain how interpretations of the Constitution and debates over rights, liberties, and
definitions of citizenship have affected American values, politics, and society.
Ø WXT-3.0: Analyze how technological innovation has affected economic development and society.
Ø CUL-1.0: Explain how religious groups and ideas have affected American society and political life.
Ø CUL-2.0: Explain how artistic, philosophical, and scientific ideas have developed and shaped society
and institutions.
Ø CUL-4.0: Explain how different group identities, including racial, ethnic, class, and regional
identities, have emerged and changed over time.
A.Newformsofmassmedia,suchasradioandcinema,contributedtothespreadofnationalcultureaswellasgreaterawareness
of
regionalcultures.
B.Migrationgaverisetonewformsofartandliteraturethatexpressedethnicandregionalidentities,suchtheHarlemRenaissance
movement.
C.OfficialrestrictionsonfreedomofspeechgrewduringWorldWarI,asincreasedanxietyaboutradicalismledtoaRedScareandattacks
onlaboractivismandimmigrantculture.
D.Inthe1920s,culturalandpoliticalcontroversiesemergedasAmericansdebatedgenderroles,modernism,science,religion,andissues
relatedtoraceandimmigration.
II.Economicpressures,globalevents,andpoliticaldevelopmentscausedsharpvariationsinthenumbers,sources,andexperiencesof
bothinternationalandinternalmigrants.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø CUL-4.0:Explainhowdifferentgroupidentities,includingracial,ethnic,class,andregionalidentities,have
emergedandchangedovertime.
Ø MIG-1.0:ExplainthecausesofmigrationtocolonialNorthAmericaand,later,theUnitedStates,andanalyze
immigration’seffectsonU.S.society.
Ø MIG-2.0:AnalyzecausesofinternalmigrationandpatternsofsettlementinwhatwouldbecometheUnited
States,andexplainhowmigrationhasaffectedAmericanlife.
A.ImmigrationfromEuropereacheditspeakinthe
yearsbeforeWorldWarI.DuringandafterWorldWarI,nativistcampaignsagainst
someethnicgroupsledtothepassageofquotasthatrestrictedimmigration,particularlyfromsouthernandeasternEurope,andincreased
barrierstoAsianimmigration.
B.TheincreaseddemandforwarproductionandlaborduringWorldWarIandWorldWarIIandtheeconomicdifficultiesofthe1930sled
manyAmericanstomigratetourbancentersinsearch
ofeconomicopportunities.
C.InaGreatMigrationduringandafterWorldWarI,AfricanAmericansescapingsegregation,racialviolence,andlimitedeconomic
opportunityintheSouthmovedtotheNorthandWest,wheretheyfoundnewopportunitiesbutstillencountereddiscrimination.
D.MigrationtotheUnitedStatesfromMexicoandelsewhereintheWesternHemisphereincreased,
inspiteofcontradictorygovernment
policiestowardMexicanimmigration.
KeyConcept7.3:ParticipationinaseriesofglobalconflictspropelledtheUnitedStatesintoapositionofinternationalpowerwhile
renewingdomesticdebatesoverthenation’sproperroleintheworld.
I.Inthelate19thcenturyandearly20thcentury,newU.S.territorialambitionsandacquisitionsintheWesternHemisphereandthe
PacificaccompaniedheightenedpublicdebatesoverAmerica’sroleintheworld.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø NAT-3.0:AnalyzehowideasaboutnationalidentitychangedinresponsetoU.S.involvementininternational
conflictsandthegrowthoftheUnitedStates.
Ø WOR-2.0:Analyzethereasonsfor,andresultsof,U.S.diplomatic,economic,andmilitaryinitiativesin
NorthAmericaandoverseas.
A.Imperialistscitedeconomicopportunities,racialtheories,competitionwithEuropeanempires,andtheperceptioninthe1890sthatthe
Westernfrontierwas“closed”toarguethatAmericansweredestinedtoexpandtheircultureandinstitutionstopeoplesaroundtheglobe.
B.Anti-imperialistscitedprinciplesofself-determinationandinvokedbothracialtheoriesandtheU.S.foreignpolicytraditionof
isolationismtoarguethattheU.S.shouldnotextenditsterritoryoverseas.
C.TheAmericanvictoryin
theSpanish–AmericanWarledtotheU.S.acquisitionofislandterritoriesintheCaribbeanandthePacific,an
increaseininvolvementinAsia,andthesuppressionofanationalistmovementinthePhilippines.
II.WorldWarIanditsaftermathintensifiedongoingdebatesaboutthenation’sroleintheworldandhowbesttoachievenational
securityandpursueAmericaninterests.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø NAT-1.0:Explainhowideasaboutdemocracy,freedom,andindividualismfoundexpressioninthe
developmentofculturalvalues,politicalinstitutions,andAmericanidentity.
Ø NAT-3.0:AnalyzehowideasaboutnationalidentitychangedinresponsetoU.S.involvementin
internationalconflictsandthegrowthoftheUnitedStates.
Ø WOR-2.0:Analyzethereasonsfor,andresultsof,U.S.diplomatic,economic,andmilitaryinitiativesin
NorthAmericaandoverseas.
A.AfterinitialneutralityinWorldWarI,thenationenteredtheconflict,departingfromtheU.S.foreignpolicytraditionofnoninvolvement
inEuropeanaffairs,inresponsetoWoodrowWilson’scallforthedefenseofhumanitariananddemocraticprinciples.
B.AlthoughtheAmericanExpeditionaryForcesplayed
arelativelylimitedroleincombat,theU.S.’sentryhelpedtotipthebalanceofthe
conflictinfavoroftheAllies.
C.DespiteWilson’sdeepinvolvementinpostwarnegotiations,theU.S.SenaterefusedtoratifytheTreatyofVersaillesorjointheLeagueof
Nations.
D.IntheyearsfollowingWorldWarI,theUnitedStatespursuedaunilateralforeignpolicythatusedinternationalinvestment,peace
treaties,andselectmilitaryinterventiontopromoteavisionofinternationalorder,evenwhilemaintainingU.S.isolationism.
E.Inthe1930s,whilemanyAmericanswereconcernedabouttheriseoffascism
andtotalitarianism,mostopposedtakingmilitaryaction
againsttheaggressionof
NaziGermanyandJapanuntiltheJapaneseattackonPearlHarbordrewtheUnitedStatesintoWorldWarII.
III.U.S.participationinWorldWarIItransformedAmericansociety,whilethevictoryoftheUnitedStatesanditsalliesovertheAxis
powersvaultedtheU.S.intoapositionofglobal,political,andmilitaryleadership.
RelatedThematicLearningObjectives(FocusonExamQuestions)
Ø NAT-3.0:AnalyzehowideasaboutnationalidentitychangedinresponsetoU.S.involvementin
internationalconflictsandthegrowthoftheUnitedStates.
Ø NAT-4.0:Analyzerelationshipsamongdifferentregional,social,ethnic,andracialgroups,andexplain
howthesegroups’experienceshaverelatedtoU.S.nationalidentity.
Ø CUL-3.0:Explainhowideasaboutwomen’srightsandgenderroleshaveaffectedsocietyandpolitics.
Ø WOR-2.0:Analyzethereasonsfor,andresultsof,U.S.diplomatic,economic,andmilitaryinitiativesin
NorthAmericaandoverseas.
A.Americansviewedthewarasafightforthesurvivaloffreedomanddemocracyagainstfascist
andmilitaristideologies.Thisperspective
waslaterreinforcedbyrevelationsaboutJapanesewartimeatrocities,Naziconcentrationcamps,andtheHolocaust.
B.Themassmobilizationof
AmericansocietyhelpedendtheGreatDepression,andthecountry’sstrongindustrialbaseplayedapivotal
roleinwinningthewarbyequippingandprovisioningalliesandmillionsofU.S.troops.
C.Mobilizationandmilitaryserviceprovidedopportunitiesforwomenandminoritiestoimprovetheirsocioeconomicpositionsforthe
war’sduration,whilealsoleadingtodebatesoverracialsegregation.Wartimeexperiencesalsogeneratedchallengestocivilliberties,such
astheinternmentofJapaneseAmericans.
D.TheUnitedStatesanditsalliesachievedmilitaryvictorythroughAlliedcooperation,technologicalandscientificadvances,the
contributionsofservicemenandwomen,andcampaignssuchasPacific“island-hopping”andtheD-Dayinvasion.Theuseofatomicbombs
hastenedtheendofthewarandsparkeddebatesaboutthemoralityofusingatomicweapons.
E.Thewar-ravagedconditionofAsiaandEurope,andthedominantU.S.roleintheAlliedvictory
andpostwarpeacesettlements,allowed
theUnitedStatestoemergefromthewarasthemostpowerfulnationonearth.
Constructed Response Questions
1. To what extent were Progressives able to reform social, political, and economic problems of the
Gilded Age?
2. How did US involvement in World War I effect the American home front?
3. How were traditionalist views of religion, gender, and race challenged during the 1920s?
4. How did FDR’s New Deal attempt address the issues that caused the Great Depression?
5. In what ways was American society transformed by US involvement in World War II?