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AP U.S. History · Unit 8

Period 8: 1945–1980

Study Cold War power, postwar prosperity, civil rights struggles, social movements, cultural change, and debates over the Great Society and Vietnam.

Time period
1945–1980
Learning path
15 topics
Exam weighting
10%–17%
Start Topic 8.1View all units
Illustrated AP learning pathway for Period 8: 1945–1980
Period 8: 1945–1980 · 15 connected topics

Your topic pathway

Explore all 15 topics

Follow the official sequence from Topic 8.1 through Topic 8.15, then open any topic to see its objectives and study-resource availability.

  1. Topic 8.1Contextualizing Period 8Build a clear APUSH understanding of Contextualizing Period 8, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  2. Topic 8.2The Cold War from 1945 to 1980Build a clear APUSH understanding of The Cold War from 1945 to 1980, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  3. Topic 8.3The Red ScareBuild a clear APUSH understanding of The Red Scare, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  4. Topic 8.4Economy after 1945Build a clear APUSH understanding of Economy after 1945, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  5. Topic 8.5Culture after 1945Build a clear APUSH understanding of Culture after 1945, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  6. Topic 8.6Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s and 1950s)Build a clear APUSH understanding of Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s and 1950s), including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  7. Topic 8.7America as a World PowerBuild a clear APUSH understanding of America as a World Power, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  8. Topic 8.8The Vietnam WarBuild a clear APUSH understanding of The Vietnam War, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  9. Topic 8.9The Great SocietyBuild a clear APUSH understanding of The Great Society, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  10. Topic 8.10The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s)Build a clear APUSH understanding of The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s), including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  11. Topic 8.11The Civil Rights Movement ExpandsBuild a clear APUSH understanding of The Civil Rights Movement Expands, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  12. Topic 8.12Youth Culture of the 1960sBuild a clear APUSH understanding of Youth Culture of the 1960s, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  13. Topic 8.13The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980Build a clear APUSH understanding of The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  14. Topic 8.14Society in TransitionBuild a clear APUSH understanding of Society in Transition, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic
  15. Topic 8.15Continuity and Change in Period 8Build a clear APUSH understanding of Continuity and Change in Period 8, including its historical context, major developments, and significance within Period 8: 1945–1980.12 min overviewNotesPracticeFlashcardsExplore topic

Think like a historian

Questions to carry through the unit

Key question 1

How did the Cold War shape U.S. policy at home and abroad?

Revisit this after every topic.

Key question 2

How did civil rights movements transform law, politics, and culture?

Revisit this after every topic.

Key question 3

Why did postwar prosperity produce both consensus and conflict?

Revisit this after every topic.