APUSH Unit 7 Review Guide - 1890-1945

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob

Review guide for AP United States History Unit 7 covering the period from 1890 to 1945. Focuses on imperialism and the Spanish–American War, the debate between imperialists and anti-imperialists, and major Progressive reforms. Explains U.S. entry into World War I, legislation restricting dissent, and postwar debates such as the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. Describes the social and economic changes of the 1920s, the 1929 crash, and the New Deal responses to the Great Depression, including key programs and lasting effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Imperialism and the Spanish–American War

The Progressives

World War I

The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression

Unit Timeline

APUSH UNIT 7 REVIEW GUIDE (1890–1945) For Students Preparing for the AP® United States History Exam | 10-17%
of the APUSH exam | The seventh unit of the AP® United States History (APUSH) course focuses on the period from 1890 to
1945. Key topics include imperialism, the World Wars, and the scope of the federal government.
This unit is eligible to be assessed on every section of the exam (including the DBQ) . | | --- | --- | IMPERIALISM AND THE SPANISH–AMERICAN WAR At the turn of the twentieth century, the U. S. government adopted an imperialist foreign policy, which sought to project American power across the globe. In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain after the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, generating a host of conspiracy theories that were printed in prominent newspapers (yellow journalism) . The Spanish–American War resulted in the United States gaining control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, as well asthe increased projection of American influence in Cuba. The Spanish–American War caused debates about the role the United States should play in the world. When U. S. military forces put down an independence movement in the newly-acquired Philippines, members of the Anti-Imperialist League opposed the extension of American rule by force overseas. Anti-imperialists believed that imperialist ventures violated the core principles of self-government found in the Declaration of Independence. Imperialists, on the other hand, argued that imperialism was good for the economy and that the United States needed imperial territories to keep up with other world powers. Both imperialists and anti-imperialists used racial theories to justify their positions. | THE PROGRESSIVES | | --- | | From 1890–1920, Progressives were a major political force in both state and federal politics. Progressives favored the expansion of federal power to regulate business and promote moral improvement, scientific principles, and popular democracy. President Teddy Roosevelt signed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, which increased federal regulation of key industries. Progressive reforms were often promoted by muckrakers, such as Upton Sinclair, who exposed corruption in politics and big business. Congress passed the Clayton Antitrust Act to strengthen the federal government’s ability to target business combinations. Progressive amendments to the Constitution included the Eighteenth Amendment, which prohibited alcohol, and the Nineteenth Amendment, which guaranteed voting rights of women nationwide. | | Progressives disagreed on some issues, such as racial segregation and immigration. | Conservationists and preservationists supported the establishment of national parks. Progressives created the U.S. Forest Service to manage resources on federal land. WORLD WAR I When World War I began in Europe in 1914, Americans were hesitant to get involved, seeking to preserve the long-standing policy of neutrality in European wars. However, in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany in response to the German policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. Wilson believed that the United States could “make the world safe for democracy” by helping Britain and France defeat Germany. American intervention tipped the scales ofthe conflict, leading to Germany’s defeat. Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts to restrict anti-war speech. After the Bolshevik Revolution established communism in Russia, the First Red Scare prompted debates that led to placing limits on immigration from Eastern Europe. Increased demand for industrial production led to the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities. Black migrants found both economic opportunity and discrimination. After the war, Woodrow Wilson played a major role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles. However, concerns about the League of Nations caused the treaty to

FAQs

What time period does APUSH Unit 7 cover?

Unit 7 covers the period from 1890 to 1945, focusing on events and developments during that era.

What were the main arguments in the imperialism debate?

Imperialists argued imperialism benefited the economy and that the U.S. needed overseas territories, while anti-imperialists opposed forced expansion and emphasized self-government principles.

How did the Great Depression change U.S. policy under the New Deal?

After the 1929 crash, the New Deal promised relief, recovery, and regulatory reforms, including programs like the CCC and banking protection through the FDIC.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob