Concept mapping is a technique for representing knowledge in diagrams or graphs. Concept maps can be used to summarize major ideas and their relationship to one another. It is hoped that these examples of concept maps will help to increase meaningful learning and communicate complex ideas and arguments effectively in a visual format ... and help to improve your test scores!

If you find this tool useful, you can make your own concept maps for the learning objectives not highlighted below. You may also want to enhance the listed concept maps with additional information.

Click on the links below to find the appropriate exam's objectives.

Exam 1 | Exam 2 | Exam 3 | Exam 4

Exam 1 Learning Objectives:

Describe the impact of European contact on Native Americans.

Describe the various European economic, political, technological, and intellectual conditions allowing for exploration of the New World.

Describe Spain's experiences in the New World, including Spanish goals, the role of Christopher Columbus and other conquistadors, and their long-term impact on Spain.

Describe the political and religious circumstances in England that allowed for exploration of the New World.

Describe England's earliest efforts at colonization in the New World.

Describe the reasons why English settlers came to the New World in the seventeenth century.

Describe the circumstances and characteristics of early Jamestown, including efforts to save the colony.

Describe the circumstances and characteristics of early New England society, making distinctions between Pilgrims and Puritans.

Describe the origins and development of slavery in the southern colonies, including the reasons and justifications for the institution.

Exam 2 Learning Objectives:

Describe the major features and impact of the Enlightenment in 18^th-century America.

Describe the major features and impact of the Great Awakening in 18^th-century America.

Describe the major features and problems of 18^th-century British and American government prior to the Revolution.

Describe the circumstances and impact of the French and Indian War.

Describe the differing perspectives held by the British government and American colonists regarding their respective roles in the British Empire.

Describe the major events leading up to the American Revolution from 1763 to 1776, explaining British motivations and American reactions.

Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the British and Americans in the American Revolution.

Describe the major military events and turning points of the American Revolution.

Describe the major provisions of the Treaty of Paris of 1783.

Describe the major features of the Articles of Confederation and the reasons such a government was created.

Describe the major weaknesses of the American government under the Articles of Confederation.

Describe the circumstances leading up to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the major provisions of the Constitution.

Exam 3 Learning Objectives:

Describe the differences in political philosophy between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

Describe the major features of Hamilton's economic plan presented in the early 1790s, and the major objections to his plan raised by his opponents.

Describe the difficulties in foreign affairs faced by George Washington and John Adams.

Describe the Federalist program of the late 1790s to silence Republican opposition and explain why the Federalists felt moved to institute such a program.

Discuss the circumstances surrounding the election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800.

Describe the major goals, accomplishments, and failures of the Jefferson presidency.

Describe the difficulties Jefferson had with the judiciary, Aaron Burr, and the issue of the slave trade.

Describe the difficulties faced by Jefferson and Madison in foreign affairs, their efforts to resolve those problems, and the onset of the War of 1812.

Discuss the reasons James Monroe's presidency has been called the "Era of Good Feelings" and the accuracy of such a label.

Discuss the circumstances surrounding the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Explain Andrew Jackson's actions with regard to Indian policy and the Nullification Crisis.

Explain the development of the second party system in the United States, including the major parties and their positions on key issues.

Explain the circumstances, candidates, and campaign tactics of the presidential elections of 1836 and 1840.

Exam 4 Learning Objectives 

Explain the circumstances leading to the annexation of Texas, including the role of "Manifest Destiny."

Explain the circumstances surrounding the Mexican War, including causes, terms of the peace treaty, and long-term implications.

Discuss the accomplishments of President James K. Polk and the consequences of his success.

Explain the circumstances, terms, and impact of the Compromise of 1850.

Explain the circumstances surrounding the Kansas-Nebraska Act, including the motivations of its sponsor and the consequences of its passage.

Explain the situation in "Bleeding Kansas" in the late 1850s, including the Kansas territory's efforts to become a state and the violence that resulted.

Explain the difficulties facing the Buchanan Administration (1857-1861).

Discuss the candidates, parties, issues, results, and consequences of the presidential election of 1860.

Explain the reasons for southern secession in 1860-1861 and the reasons for northern resistance to secession.

Discuss the various strengths and weaknesses of the North and the South as they began the Civil War.

Discuss the major battles of the Civil War and their consequences.

Explain some of the Civil War’s long-term effects on American society and government.