AP United States History Notes
These notes are the main events and vocabulary for each unit that helped me to get an A on my
final exam. This will focus on the most important information to help you understand the content
of each unit.
UNIT 1: 1491-1607
Encomienda System- This is important because this was a major system instituted in South
America by the Spanish and was one of the major reasons Spain was so profitable from their
colonies.
Mercantilism- This is important because it was one of the reasons the host countries got so
rich from the new world because many resources and profits went to the host country.
Printing Press- The printing press allowed the world to know about advancements and was the
main reason so many people knew about the New World so quickly.
Age of Discovery- This is important because this was the period when the New World was
colonized and led to the people who are here today being in this place.
Astrolabe- This was important because it allowed people to navigate a path and know where
they were going instead of just going wherever the ocean took them.
Lateen Sail- This is important because it allowed people to sail against the wind and steer
where they wanted to go more efficiently.
Spanish Empire- This is important because it was the first country to get to the New World and
profited the most from it which made them a more powerful country.
Aztecs/Incas/Mayans- These people are important because they were native to the New World
and were majorly affected by colonization which now means there are much fewer in the
Americas.
Columbian Exchange- This was important because it was the first major trade/exchange
system between the New and Old World.
1570 Ordinance of Discovery- This was important because this is what made the Spanish
allow slaves but only in good conditions (didn’t do much) and caused many changes in slave
trading.
UNIT 2: 1607-1754
Jamestown- This was important because it was one of the first colonies to be established in the
New World by the English and went through phases of success and failure to begin to create a
blueprint for how colonies can succeed.
Puritanism- This was important because it was the ideals of a major religion in New England
colonies that led to other colonies becoming more religously tolerant and free.
Great Awakening (1st)- This was important because it increased the attendance of churches
and allowed more freedom for churches and began the idea of religious tolerance.
Salem Witch Trials- This was important because it gave a reason for why court rules and fair
trials are needed to keep people from being unfairly convicted and killed.
Bacon’s Rebellion- This was important because it changed the workforce of the colonies form
indentured servitude of the Natives to the African slave trade.
Predestination- This was important because this idea was a major reason for why new
religious beleifs came about with more freedoms and the idea that what you do is important.
, AP United States History Notes
Anne Hutchinson- She was important because she created a new idea of christianity called
“Free Grace Theology” and led the way to more reasonable religious practice.
Slavery- This was important because it continued for between 200 and 300 years and was a
major source of profit for both the colonies and host countries.
Salutary neglect- This was important because it gave the colonies freedom from their host
country which then when infringed upon like England rebellions occur.
New York- This was important because it was one of the most free and diverse colonies which
is still true today in New York.
Royal colony- This was important because it was one of the most lucrative types of colonies
and was most connected to the host country to help to make them more wealthy.
Act of Toleration- This was important because is solidified the idea of religious freedom and
allowed for people to practice their religion.
UNIT 3: 1754-1800
French and Indian War- This was important because it was a major war that strengthened
England’s power and allowed them to control more land that would eventually be a part of the
USA.
King Phillips War- This was important because it was a war between the Natives and the
Puritans and led to the beginning of unification between the colonies.
Olive Branch Petition- This was important because the colonies tried to mend their relationship
with the English monarchs before the Revolution began.
Boston Massacre- This was important because this event killed many colonists and led to the
outrage that began the American Revolution.
Declaration of Independence- This was important because it informed England that the
colonies were officially separating from England.
Coercive/Intolerable Acts- This was important because it was not effective but still angered
the colonists and contributed to the decision to begin the American Revolution.
Sons & Daughters of Liberty- These people were important because they worked to anger the
English government and create situations for the English to fail and cause more conflicts.
1st Continental Congress- This is important because this was the colonies uniting to file the
Declaration of Rights to inform Britain of their issues with them and how they wanted to fix it
before they got the actual revolution.
2nd Continental Congress- This is important because this was the colonies uniting to send the
Declaration of Independence to Britain to begin the American Revolution.
Currency Act- This is important because it was one of the taxes the British attempted to apply
to the colonies that angered the colonies and eventually led to the American Revolution
UNIT 4: 1800-1848
“Peaceful Revolution”- Election of 1800- This was important because it was the first transfer
of power peacefully from one political party to the other.
Impressment- Angered America and led to the War of 1812 because they were taking
American people to forcibly fight for the English.
These notes are the main events and vocabulary for each unit that helped me to get an A on my
final exam. This will focus on the most important information to help you understand the content
of each unit.
UNIT 1: 1491-1607
Encomienda System- This is important because this was a major system instituted in South
America by the Spanish and was one of the major reasons Spain was so profitable from their
colonies.
Mercantilism- This is important because it was one of the reasons the host countries got so
rich from the new world because many resources and profits went to the host country.
Printing Press- The printing press allowed the world to know about advancements and was the
main reason so many people knew about the New World so quickly.
Age of Discovery- This is important because this was the period when the New World was
colonized and led to the people who are here today being in this place.
Astrolabe- This was important because it allowed people to navigate a path and know where
they were going instead of just going wherever the ocean took them.
Lateen Sail- This is important because it allowed people to sail against the wind and steer
where they wanted to go more efficiently.
Spanish Empire- This is important because it was the first country to get to the New World and
profited the most from it which made them a more powerful country.
Aztecs/Incas/Mayans- These people are important because they were native to the New World
and were majorly affected by colonization which now means there are much fewer in the
Americas.
Columbian Exchange- This was important because it was the first major trade/exchange
system between the New and Old World.
1570 Ordinance of Discovery- This was important because this is what made the Spanish
allow slaves but only in good conditions (didn’t do much) and caused many changes in slave
trading.
UNIT 2: 1607-1754
Jamestown- This was important because it was one of the first colonies to be established in the
New World by the English and went through phases of success and failure to begin to create a
blueprint for how colonies can succeed.
Puritanism- This was important because it was the ideals of a major religion in New England
colonies that led to other colonies becoming more religously tolerant and free.
Great Awakening (1st)- This was important because it increased the attendance of churches
and allowed more freedom for churches and began the idea of religious tolerance.
Salem Witch Trials- This was important because it gave a reason for why court rules and fair
trials are needed to keep people from being unfairly convicted and killed.
Bacon’s Rebellion- This was important because it changed the workforce of the colonies form
indentured servitude of the Natives to the African slave trade.
Predestination- This was important because this idea was a major reason for why new
religious beleifs came about with more freedoms and the idea that what you do is important.
, AP United States History Notes
Anne Hutchinson- She was important because she created a new idea of christianity called
“Free Grace Theology” and led the way to more reasonable religious practice.
Slavery- This was important because it continued for between 200 and 300 years and was a
major source of profit for both the colonies and host countries.
Salutary neglect- This was important because it gave the colonies freedom from their host
country which then when infringed upon like England rebellions occur.
New York- This was important because it was one of the most free and diverse colonies which
is still true today in New York.
Royal colony- This was important because it was one of the most lucrative types of colonies
and was most connected to the host country to help to make them more wealthy.
Act of Toleration- This was important because is solidified the idea of religious freedom and
allowed for people to practice their religion.
UNIT 3: 1754-1800
French and Indian War- This was important because it was a major war that strengthened
England’s power and allowed them to control more land that would eventually be a part of the
USA.
King Phillips War- This was important because it was a war between the Natives and the
Puritans and led to the beginning of unification between the colonies.
Olive Branch Petition- This was important because the colonies tried to mend their relationship
with the English monarchs before the Revolution began.
Boston Massacre- This was important because this event killed many colonists and led to the
outrage that began the American Revolution.
Declaration of Independence- This was important because it informed England that the
colonies were officially separating from England.
Coercive/Intolerable Acts- This was important because it was not effective but still angered
the colonists and contributed to the decision to begin the American Revolution.
Sons & Daughters of Liberty- These people were important because they worked to anger the
English government and create situations for the English to fail and cause more conflicts.
1st Continental Congress- This is important because this was the colonies uniting to file the
Declaration of Rights to inform Britain of their issues with them and how they wanted to fix it
before they got the actual revolution.
2nd Continental Congress- This is important because this was the colonies uniting to send the
Declaration of Independence to Britain to begin the American Revolution.
Currency Act- This is important because it was one of the taxes the British attempted to apply
to the colonies that angered the colonies and eventually led to the American Revolution
UNIT 4: 1800-1848
“Peaceful Revolution”- Election of 1800- This was important because it was the first transfer
of power peacefully from one political party to the other.
Impressment- Angered America and led to the War of 1812 because they were taking
American people to forcibly fight for the English.
