Category: APUSH Exam Prep

Review: Transportation Innovation

1825 Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal and the Making of a Great Nation
Key Player : Gov. DeWitt Clinton  The building of the Erie Canal, like the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Panama Canal, embodies one of the greatest and most riveting stories of American ingenuity

The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862  Key Player: Theodore Judah
” An Act to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri river to the Pacific ocean, and to secure to the government the use of the same for postal, military, and other purposes.”

1914 Building of the Panama Canal  Key Player: Alfred Thayer Mahan
“A continent divided, a world united”  The United States now has a two sea navy. Mahan vision of a stronger navy to protect American interests and commerce comes just in time for the start of World War.

Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956,  Key Player: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Popularly known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act  massive interstate highway building (41, 000 miles) contributes to suburbanization.

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of the Cotton Gin

The power of 50

Before the Cotton Gin
It takes 1 day to clean a 1 pound of cotton; The south relies on slaves to pick and process cotton on huge plantations.  Eli Whitney invents the Cotton Gin in 1793

Mass production of clean cotton using a machine (Cotton Gin) transforms America and the world. The Cotton Gin MAKES SLAVERY PAY!!!!!

After the Cotton Gin

1 man can now process 50 pounds of cotton in a day.

By 1830 America produces 50% of the world’s cotton, by 1850 America produces 75% of the world’s cotton.

Each slave becomes 50 times more valuable

Southern states want to expand West and bring slavery with them.  This leads to the Compromise of 1850

 

 

LincolnAdditional U.S. History Resources
Prepare and Perform with History 360

 

Washington’s Farewell Address Mnemonic

In his farewell address Washington warned against evils of political parties and the danger of permanent foreign alliances (like treaty with France).

$.A.F.E
Stay Away from Foreign Entanglements.   The “$” in this mnemonic is a dollar sign because Washington encouraged commercial ties to build the economy.

Isolationism became dominant U.S. foreign policy for next 100 years.   We departed for this advice…

1898 – The Spanish American and War

1917 – Attempted isolation during World War I. The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the U.S. did not join the League of Nations/

1945 – At the conclusion of World War II the United States joined the United Nations (1945) ending the

 

“A Rope of Sand”

 

 

 

 

 

America’s First Constitution  – “A Rope of Sand”
The Articles of Confederation, reflecting republican fears of both centralized power and excessive popular influence, leads to conflicts among the states that threaten the existence of the young nation.

No executive leadership

No national court system

One State, One Vote

No power to TAX

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Shays’ Rebellion (1787)

Gilder Lehrman Study Guides

AP US History Exam Prep
Start building your Toolbox now!


Review the scope of US history with the Gilder-Lehrman  online AP US History Study Guide, which follows the AP US History course from 1692 to the present

Watch videos for detailed tips on how to answer the various question formats (multiple choice, short answer, document-based essay question, long essay) and get tips on how to think like a historian.