The goal of social studies is to develop well informed young people who hold democratic values, are prepared to participate in the life of their community and country, and who accept responsibility for human actions and conditions. We seek to build knowledge and skills in students that will foster constructive engagement in civic and social processes.

This course examines the transformation of America from the initial European explorations into North America to the present. An emphasis is placed on mastering a significant body of factual information, interpreting documents, and writing critical essays. Throughout the course particular attention is placed on developing themes concerning political, economic, cultural and social institutions within each period of American history studied.

Topics explored include life and thought in colonial America, revolutionary ideology, constitutional development, Jefferson and Jacksonian democracy, nineteenth-century reform movements, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction, immigration and industrialization and their impacts on society, Progressivism, America as a World Power, WWI, the Jazz Age, the Great Depression and New Deal, WWII, the Cold War, the post-Cold War era, and the United States at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

This AP course has a corresponding exam that is administered worldwide in May. The AP U.S. History Exam contains a free-response section as well as multiple choice questions. Written by a committee of college and university faculty and experienced AP teachers, the AP Exam is the culmination of the AP course and provides students with the opportunity to earn credit and/or placement in college. Exams are scored by college professors and experienced AP teachers using scoring standards developed by the committee.

Course Framework--

Trimester 1:

• Unit I: Colonial History to 1763--Chapters 1-5
• Unit II: The American Revolution (1763-1783)-- Chapters 6-8
• Unit III: Creating a Nation (1781-1828) -- Chapters 9-11
• Unit IV: Transformation of the United States (1801-1828) --Chapters 12-14
• Unit V: Shaping America in the Antebellum Age (1828-1850) --Chapters 15-17

Trimester 2:

• Unit VI: The Civil War Era (1850-1877) --Chapters 18-22
• Unit VII: An Industrializing People (1865-1900) -- Chapters 23-26
• Unit VIII: The Progressive Era (1900-1917) -- Chapters 28-29
• Unit IX: Foreign Policy and World Power (1898-1920) -- Chapters 27 and 30
• Unit X: The Roaring Twenties and Great Depression (1920-1940) -- Chapters 31-33

Trimester 3:

• Unit XI: The United States and World War II -- Chapters 34-35
• Unit XII: Post-War America and the Cold War (1946-1960) -- Chapters 36-37
• Unit XIII: The Storm and Stalemate (1960-1969)-- Chapters 38-39
• Unit XIV: The United States and the End of the Cold War -- Chapters 40-42 Kennedy's

American Pageant: This is a resource for students to help review key concepts, ideas, events, and people of U.S. History.

Online Textbook: Please note that these chapters come from the 12th edition of Kennedy's textbook.

Podcasts: Check this site out to hear Chapter 13-40 of Kennedy's American Pageant.

Hippocampus: Check this site out for multimedia instruction on the web that can enhance your study of U.S. History.

Test your knowledge of the 50 States and 50 Capitals here!

Presidents: Check this site out for an excellent resource on the Presidents!

Reinforce your Presidential knowledge here with the 44 Presidents Rap! 

AP Central: This is the AP United States History Course Home Page. You don't want to miss it!

APUSH Review Lectures: Here are short videos of different time periods in AP US History. Use them for essay help and test review as desired!

East Ridge High School
Kathy Newcomb