Ap Us History Unit 6 Test

Unit 6 of AP U.S. History delves into a transformative period in American history, spanning from 1865 to 1898. This era, often referred to as the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era's dawn, witnesses immense industrial growth, westward expansion, political corruption, and the rise of social reform movements. Mastering this unit is crucial for success on the AP U.S. History exam. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics, themes, and strategies to ace your Unit 6 test.

Key Topics in AP U.S. History Unit 6

Unit 6 encompasses several interconnected themes. Understanding these themes is essential for contextualizing historical events and analyzing their significance:

• The Rise of Industrial America: The rapid industrialization of the United States after the Civil War, driven by technological innovations, abundant natural resources, and a growing labor force. This includes the development of railroads, factories, and new industries like steel and oil.

• Westward Expansion and the Frontier: The continued westward expansion of the United States, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes, the development of new agricultural regions, and the exploitation of natural resources.

• Immigration and Urbanization: The massive influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia, contributing to rapid urbanization and the growth of cities. This also led to social problems, such as poverty, overcrowding, and discrimination.

• The Gilded Age: A period of economic growth and prosperity, but also marked by significant social inequality, political corruption, and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few.

• The Populist Movement: A political movement of farmers and working-class Americans who sought to address the problems caused by industrialization and economic inequality.

• The Progressive Era (Early Stages): The beginnings of a reform movement aimed at addressing the social and political problems of the Gilded Age. This includes efforts to regulate big business, improve working conditions, and promote social justice.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Concepts

Let's dive deeper into each of the key topics within Unit 6:

1. The Rise of Industrial America

• Factors Contributing to Industrial Growth:

  • Abundant Natural Resources: Coal, iron ore, oil, and other resources fueled industrial production.
  • Technological Innovations: The invention of new machines, like the telephone, electric light, and Bessemer process (for steel production), increased efficiency and productivity.
  • Growing Labor Force: Immigration and migration from rural areas provided a large and inexpensive workforce.
  • Government Policies: Laissez-faire policies, minimal regulation, and high tariffs protected domestic industries.
  • Railroad Expansion: Railroads facilitated the transportation of goods and people across the country, creating a national market.

• Key Industries and Figures:

  • Railroads: Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jay Gould dominated the railroad industry.
  • Steel: Andrew Carnegie revolutionized steel production with the Bessemer process.
  • Oil: John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil controlled the oil industry through monopolies and trusts.
  • Finance: J.P. Morgan played a significant role in financing industrial growth and consolidating industries.

• Impact of Industrialization:

  • Economic Growth: Increased wealth and a higher standard of living for some.
  • Rise of Big Business: The emergence of large corporations and monopolies.
  • Labor Conflicts: Strikes, labor unions, and violent clashes between workers and management.
  • Environmental Degradation: Pollution, deforestation, and exploitation of natural resources.
  • Social Inequality: A widening gap between the rich and the poor.

2. Westward Expansion and the Frontier

• Motives for Westward Expansion:

  • Economic Opportunities: Availability of land for farming, ranching, and mining.
  • Manifest Destiny: The belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent.
  • Government Policies: The Homestead Act offered free land to settlers who agreed to cultivate it.
  • Railroad Expansion: Railroads made it easier to travel and transport goods to the West.

• Conflict with Native Americans:

  • Indian Wars: A series of conflicts between the U.S. Army and Native American tribes over land and resources.
  • Destruction of Buffalo: The systematic hunting of buffalo by white settlers decimated the Native American food supply.
  • Forced Assimilation: Policies aimed at forcing Native Americans to adopt white culture, such as the Dawes Act.
  • Reservations: Native Americans were confined to reservations, often on poor land.

• The Frontier Thesis:

  • Frederick Jackson Turner's influential essay argued that the frontier shaped American character and democracy.

• Impact of Westward Expansion:

  • Economic Development: Development of agriculture, ranching, and mining industries in the West.
  • Environmental Impact: Destruction of natural habitats and depletion of resources.
  • Cultural Exchange: Interaction between different cultures, including Native Americans, settlers, and immigrants.

3. Immigration and Urbanization

• Causes of Immigration:

  • Economic Opportunities: Jobs in factories and industries in the United States.
  • Religious and Political Persecution: Escape from oppression and violence in Europe and Asia.
  • Famine and Poverty: Escape from economic hardship and lack of opportunity in their home countries.

• Sources of Immigration:

  • "Old Immigrants" (prior to 1880): Primarily from Northern and Western Europe (England, Germany, Ireland).
  • "New Immigrants" (after 1880): Increasingly from Southern and Eastern Europe (Italy, Poland, Russia) and Asia (China, Japan).

• Urban Growth and Problems:

  • Rapid Urbanization: Cities grew rapidly as immigrants and rural Americans migrated to urban areas.
  • Overcrowding: Tenements and slums became overcrowded and unsanitary.
  • Poverty: Many immigrants and working-class Americans lived in poverty.
  • Crime: Increased crime rates in urban areas.
  • Political Corruption: Political machines controlled city governments and engaged in corruption.

• Responses to Urban Problems:

  • Settlement Houses: Jane Addams' Hull House and other settlement houses provided social services to immigrants and the poor.
  • Social Gospel Movement: Religious reformers sought to apply Christian ethics to social problems.
  • Political Reform: Efforts to reform city governments and reduce corruption.
  • Nativism: Anti-immigrant sentiment and movements aimed at restricting immigration.

4. The Gilded Age

• Characteristics of the Gilded Age:

  • Economic Growth: Rapid industrialization and economic expansion.
  • Wealth and Inequality: Concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while many lived in poverty.
  • Political Corruption: Widespread corruption in government at all levels.
  • Laissez-faire Economics: Minimal government regulation of business.
  • Materialism: Emphasis on wealth and material possessions.

• Political Corruption:

  • Political Machines: Corrupt political organizations that controlled city governments.
  • Boss Tweed: Leader of the Tammany Hall political machine in New York City.
  • Spoils System: Practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs.
  • Credit Mobilier Scandal: Railroad companies bribed government officials to gain favorable treatment.

• Social Darwinism:

  • The application of Darwin's theory of evolution to society, arguing that the wealthy were naturally superior and that government should not interfere with economic competition.

• Gospel of Wealth:

  • Andrew Carnegie's belief that the wealthy had a responsibility to use their wealth for the benefit of society.

5. The Populist Movement

• Causes of the Populist Movement:

  • Economic Hardship: Farmers faced falling crop prices, high railroad rates, and debt.
  • Grievances Against Railroads: Farmers accused railroads of charging unfair rates and discriminating against them.
  • Monetary Policy: Farmers supported the free coinage of silver to increase the money supply and inflate prices.
  • Political Corruption: Farmers believed that government was controlled by wealthy elites.

• Goals of the Populist Party:

  • Regulation of Railroads: Government regulation of railroad rates and practices.
  • Free Coinage of Silver: Unlimited coinage of silver to increase the money supply.
  • Graduated Income Tax: A tax system that taxed higher incomes at a higher rate.
  • Direct Election of Senators: Election of U.S. Senators by the people, rather than by state legislatures.
  • Government Ownership of Railroads and Telegraphs: Government ownership of key industries.

• Key Figures in the Populist Movement:

  • William Jennings Bryan: Democratic presidential candidate in 1896 who adopted many Populist ideas.
  • Ignatius Donnelly: Populist writer and politician.
  • Mary Elizabeth Lease: Populist orator who urged farmers to "raise less corn and more hell."

• Significance of the Populist Movement:

  • Influence on Later Reforms: Many Populist ideas were later adopted by the Progressive movement.
  • Increased Political Participation: The Populist movement encouraged farmers and working-class Americans to become more active in politics.

6. The Progressive Era (Early Stages)

• Origins of the Progressive Movement:

  • Response to Industrialization and Urbanization: The Progressive movement emerged as a response to the social and political problems caused by industrialization and urbanization.
  • Influence of the Populist Movement: The Populist movement laid the groundwork for the Progressive movement by raising awareness of social and economic problems.

• Goals of the Progressive Movement:

  • Regulation of Big Business: Government regulation of monopolies and trusts.
  • Improved Working Conditions: Laws to protect workers, such as minimum wage and maximum hours.
  • Social Justice: Efforts to address social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination.
  • Political Reform: Reforms to make government more democratic and responsive to the people.

• Key Progressive Reforms:

  • Sherman Antitrust Act: Law to prevent monopolies and promote competition.
  • Interstate Commerce Act: Law to regulate railroads.
  • Civil Service Reform: Efforts to eliminate the spoils system and create a professional civil service.
  • State-Level Reforms: Reforms at the state level, such as initiative, referendum, and recall.

• Key Figures in the Progressive Movement:

  • Theodore Roosevelt: Progressive president who championed trust-busting and conservation.
  • Jane Addams: Founder of Hull House and a leader in the settlement house movement.
  • Ida B. Wells: Journalist and activist who fought against lynching.
  • W.E.B. Du Bois: Civil rights activist who advocated for racial equality.

Strategies for Acing Your AP U.S. History Unit 6 Test

To succeed on your Unit 6 test, consider these strategies:

• Thorough Review: Carefully review all the key topics and concepts outlined above. Use your textbook, class notes, and online resources.

• Practice Questions: Complete practice multiple-choice questions and free-response questions (FRQs) to assess your understanding and identify areas where you need further review. The College Board website offers released AP U.S. History exams.

• Analyze Primary Sources: Practice analyzing primary sources, such as speeches, letters, political cartoons, and government documents, to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context.

• Understand Historical Context: Be able to connect events and developments in Unit 6 to broader historical trends and themes. Understand the causes and consequences of events.

• Develop Strong Essay-Writing Skills: Practice writing clear, concise, and well-supported essays. Focus on developing a strong thesis statement and providing relevant evidence to support your arguments.

• Time Management: During the test, manage your time effectively. Allocate sufficient time for each section and question. Don't spend too much time on any one question.

• Use Specific Examples: When answering questions, use specific historical examples to support your arguments and demonstrate your knowledge.

• Understand Different Perspectives: Be aware of different perspectives on historical events. Consider the perspectives of different groups, such as farmers, workers, immigrants, Native Americans, and business leaders.

• Connect Themes: Be able to connect different themes within Unit 6. For example, how did industrialization contribute to urbanization? How did westward expansion impact Native Americans?

Sample AP U.S. History Unit 6 Test Questions

Here are some sample questions to test your understanding of Unit 6:

Multiple-Choice Question:

Which of the following was a primary goal of the Populist movement?

(A) To promote laissez-faire economic policies (B) To regulate railroads and protect farmers (C) To restrict immigration and promote nativism (D) To support the gold standard

Answer: (B)

Short-Answer Question (SAQ):

Briefly explain ONE specific cause of the rise of industrialization in the United States between 1865 and 1898.

Possible Answer:

One specific cause of the rise of industrialization in the United States between 1865 and 1898 was the abundance of natural resources. Coal, iron ore, oil, and other resources fueled industrial production and provided the raw materials needed for factories and industries to grow.

Document-Based Question (DBQ):

Using the provided documents and your knowledge of U.S. history, evaluate the extent to which the Gilded Age was a period of progress for all Americans.

(Note: A DBQ will include a set of primary and secondary source documents for you to analyze.)

Long Essay Question (LEQ):

Evaluate the relative importance of TWO of the following factors in shaping American identity during the period 1865 to 1898:

• Westward Expansion
• Immigration
• Industrialization

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about AP U.S. History Unit 6

• What is the significance of the term "Gilded Age"?

  The term "Gilded Age," coined by Mark Twain, refers to the period of economic growth and prosperity in the late 19th century, but also highlights the underlying social problems, political corruption, and inequality that were masked by the surface appearance of wealth.

• What was the impact of the Dawes Act on Native Americans?

  The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans by breaking up tribal lands and distributing them to individual Native American families. This resulted in the loss of tribal lands, the erosion of Native American culture, and increased poverty.

• How did the Populist movement influence the Progressive movement?

  The Populist movement raised awareness of social and economic problems, such as economic inequality, political corruption, and the power of big business. Many Populist ideas, such as government regulation of railroads, a graduated income tax, and direct election of senators, were later adopted by the Progressive movement.

• What were the main differences between "old" and "new" immigrants?

  "Old" immigrants primarily came from Northern and Western Europe and were often Protestant and English-speaking. "New" immigrants came increasingly from Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia, and were often Catholic, Jewish, or Orthodox Christian, and spoke different languages. This led to increased nativism and discrimination against "new" immigrants.

• What were the main goals of the Progressive movement?

  The main goals of the Progressive movement were to address the social and political problems caused by industrialization and urbanization. This included regulating big business, improving working conditions, promoting social justice, and reforming government to make it more democratic and responsive to the people.

Conclusion

AP U.S. History Unit 6 covers a complex and transformative period in American history. By mastering the key topics, understanding the historical context, practicing with sample questions, and developing strong essay-writing skills, you can significantly increase your chances of success on your Unit 6 test and the AP U.S. History exam as a whole. Remember to focus on understanding the connections between different themes and events, and be prepared to analyze primary sources and evaluate different perspectives. Good luck!