ap us history live cram sessions 2020 study guides

Key Events and Timeline

• World War I began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, leading to a complex system of alliances and global conflict
  • The United States initially remained neutral but entered the war in 1917 after the sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmermann Telegram
• The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of the Soviet Union under communist rule
• The 1920s, known as the "Roaring Twenties," was a period of economic prosperity, cultural change, and social liberalism in the United States
  • The era was characterized by the rise of consumerism, mass media, and new technologies like the automobile and radio
• The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression, a severe economic downturn that lasted throughout the 1930s
  • The Depression led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest, as well as significant changes in government policy and the role of the state in the economy
• World War II began in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland and quickly escalated into a global conflict involving the major powers of the world
  • The United States entered the war in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, and played a crucial role in the Allied victory

Major Political Figures

• Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, led the country through World War I and played a key role in the post-war peace negotiations
  • Wilson's "Fourteen Points" laid out his vision for a new world order based on democracy, self-determination, and collective security
• Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party, played a central role in the Russian Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet Union
  • Lenin's political philosophy, known as Marxism-Leninism, would become the dominant ideology of the communist world throughout the 20th century
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, led the country through the Great Depression and World War II
  • Roosevelt's New Deal policies aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform in response to the economic crisis, and laid the foundation for the modern welfare state
• Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, was a key leader of the Allied war effort and a symbol of British resistance against Nazi Germany
• Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from the 1920s until his death in 1953, played a crucial role in the Allied victory in World War II and the post-war division of Europe

Social and Cultural Shifts

• The 1920s saw significant changes in social norms and cultural attitudes, particularly in areas like gender roles, sexuality, and race relations
  • The "flapper" phenomenon challenged traditional gender roles and expectations for women, while the Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American culture and creativity
• The Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North changed the demographic and cultural landscape of American cities
  • The migration led to the growth of African American communities and cultural movements, but also exacerbated racial tensions and discrimination
• The rise of mass media and popular culture, including radio, movies, and advertising, had a profound impact on American society and values
  • The media helped to create a more homogeneous national culture and shape consumer behavior and preferences
• The 1930s saw a resurgence of social and political activism, particularly among the working class and marginalized groups
  • The labor movement, civil rights movement, and other progressive causes gained momentum during the Depression era, laying the groundwork for later social and political reforms

Economic Developments

• The 1920s was a period of rapid economic growth and prosperity, driven by new technologies, mass production, and consumer spending
  • The rise of the automobile industry, in particular, had far-reaching effects on the American economy and society, from the growth of suburbs to the development of new industries and infrastructure
• The Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression had a devastating impact on the American economy and society
  • The Depression led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest, as well as significant changes in government policy and the role of the state in the economy
• The New Deal policies of the 1930s aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform in response to the economic crisis
  • Programs like the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps provided jobs and income support for millions of Americans, while new regulations aimed to stabilize the financial system and protect workers and consumers
• World War II had a major impact on the American economy, both during and after the war
  • The war effort led to a massive mobilization of resources and labor, with government spending and borrowing reaching unprecedented levels
  • The post-war period saw a sustained economic boom, driven by pent-up consumer demand, the growth of the middle class, and the expansion of international trade

Foreign Policy and International Relations

• The United States emerged from World War I as a major world power, but initially pursued a policy of isolationism and non-interventionism
  • The country rejected membership in the League of Nations and focused on domestic issues and economic growth
• The rise of fascism and militarism in Europe and Asia in the 1930s posed a growing threat to international peace and security
  • The United States initially sought to remain neutral, but provided aid to the Allies through programs like the Lend-Lease Act
• The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 brought the United States into World War II, leading to a massive mobilization of resources and manpower
  • The country played a crucial role in the Allied war effort, from the Battle of Midway to the D-Day invasion of Normandy
• The post-war period saw the emergence of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as the creation of new international institutions like the United Nations
  • The United States pursued a policy of containment against the spread of communism, leading to conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of the world

Domestic Policies and Legislation

• The New Deal policies of the 1930s represented a significant expansion of the role of the federal government in American life
  • Programs like Social Security, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act provided new protections and benefits for workers and the elderly
• The G.I. Bill of 1944 provided education and housing benefits for returning veterans, helping to fuel the post-war economic boom and the growth of the middle class
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were landmark pieces of legislation that aimed to end racial discrimination and ensure equal rights for African Americans
  • The laws were the result of years of activism and struggle by the civil rights movement, and helped to transform American society and politics
• The Great Society programs of the 1960s, launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to reduce poverty, improve education and health care, and address other social issues
  • Programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Head Start expanded the social safety net and provided new opportunities for disadvantaged groups

Controversies and Debates

• The Red Scare of the 1920s and the McCarthy era of the 1950s raised concerns about civil liberties and political freedoms in the face of perceived communist threats
  • The House Un-American Activities Committee and other anti-communist investigations targeted individuals and organizations, often based on flimsy or fabricated evidence
• The Vietnam War became a major source of controversy and division in American society, particularly among young people and anti-war activists
  • The war raised questions about the morality and effectiveness of American foreign policy, as well as the role of the media and public opinion in shaping political decisions
• The Watergate scandal of the 1970s led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon and a crisis of confidence in American political institutions
  • The scandal revealed the extent of corruption and abuse of power at the highest levels of government, and led to new reforms and oversight mechanisms
• The rise of the conservative movement in the 1970s and 1980s, exemplified by the election of Ronald Reagan, marked a significant shift in American politics and culture
  • The movement emphasized free markets, traditional values, and a more assertive foreign policy, and helped to reshape the Republican Party and the American political landscape

Legacy and Long-term Impact

• The New Deal and the Great Society programs helped to create a more expansive and active federal government, with a greater role in social welfare and economic regulation
  • These policies laid the foundation for the modern American welfare state and the idea of government as a force for social and economic justice
• The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s helped to transform American society and politics, leading to greater equality and opportunity for African Americans and other marginalized groups
  • The movement also inspired other social and political movements, from women's rights to environmentalism to LGBTQ+ activism
• The Cold War had a profound impact on American foreign policy and political culture, shaping attitudes towards communism, national security, and the role of the United States in the world
  • The legacy of the Cold War can still be seen in contemporary debates over issues like military intervention, surveillance, and the balance between security and civil liberties
• The rise of globalization and the digital revolution in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has transformed the American economy and society in countless ways
  • These changes have brought new opportunities and challenges, from the growth of the service sector to the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on the workforce
  • They have also raised new questions about the role of government in managing the economy and ensuring social and economic justice in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world