Introduction

Welcome to AP U.S. History—our story starts in 1491, right before Columbus shows up. In this unit, we’ll look at what life in the Americas was like for Native peoples before Europeans arrived—think thriving communities, plenty of resources, and a way of life without draft animals or wheels. Then we’ll dive into Spanish colonization and the massive changes brought by the Columbian Exchange—disease, death, new foods, and global connections. This unit might only make up 4%–6% of the AP Exam, but don’t let that fool you—short-answer questions love to come from here.