AP African American Studies Flashcards: Economic Growth and Black Political Representation
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 21 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
It is a federal law that prohibits state and local governments from enacting laws and procedures that create racial discrimination in voting.
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What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
It is a federal law that prohibits state and local governments from enacting laws and procedures that create racial discrimination in voting.
A historian is studying why a Black family has less wealth than a white family, despite similar incomes today. What historical factor is a likely explanation?
A likely explanation is that past discrimination in housing and employment limited the Black family's ability to accumulate generational wealth that could be passed down.
How does the Congressional Black Caucus work to promote Black political power?
The CBC supports Black candidates in national, state, and local elections and lobbies for reforms in healthcare, employment, and social service programs.
A newly elected Black member of Congress wants to collaborate with colleagues to draft legislation supporting Black-owned businesses. Which organization would be their most logical ally in Congress?
Their most logical ally would be the Congressional Black Caucus, which promotes Black political power and lobbies for economic reforms.
Describe the growth in the number of Black elected officials between 1970 and 2006.
Between 1970 and 2006, the number of Black elected officials in the United States experienced a sixfold increase, growing from about 1,500 to 9,000.
What factors promoted economic growth in Black communities in the second half of the twentieth century?
Economic growth was promoted by expanded educational opportunities from desegregation and increased employment and business opportunities from urbanization.
What historic precedent did Barack Obama set in 2008?
In 2008, Barack Obama was elected as the first Black president in United States history.
What is the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)?
Founded in 1971, the CBC is a group of Black members of Congress that promotes the growth of Black political power and lobbies for reforms.
How did urbanization in the twentieth century promote economic growth in Black communities?
Urbanization increased opportunities for employment and led to the growth of Black-owned businesses, such as restaurants, banks, and publishing houses.
What was a major economic and social benefit of desegregation in the 1950s and 1960s?
Desegregation expanded educational opportunities for Black communities, which gradually increased the number of Black college graduates.
If a state government created a new voter registration process that disproportionately prevented Black citizens from voting, which law would it violate?
This action would violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits laws and procedures that create racial discrimination in voting.
What historic precedent did Kamala Harris set in 2020?
In 2020, Kamala Harris was elected as the first Black vice president in United States history.
What historic achievement is Colin Powell known for?
In 2001, Colin Powell became the first Black secretary of state, serving under President George W. Bush.
Who was the first Black woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state?
Condoleezza Rice became the first Black woman to hold the position of secretary of state, succeeding Colin Powell.
What did the largest annual increase of Black elected officials in 1971 reflect?
The large increase in 1971 reflected the significant impact of the Black Freedom movement on Black political representation.
What was the median wealth for Black families compared to white families in 2016?
In 2016, the median wealth for Black families was $17,150, while the median wealth for white families was significantly higher at $171,000.
What was the primary impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on Black political power?
The Act caused Black voting power and political representation to expand significantly in the late twentieth century, leading to more African Americans in influential government positions.
How did historical discrimination affect the accumulation of generational wealth for Black communities?
Discrimination and racial disparities in housing and employment in the early twentieth century limited Black communities’ ability to accumulate generational wealth later in the century.
By 2019, what percentage of African American adults had earned a bachelor's degree or higher?
By 2019, 23 percent of African American adults had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
What two major trends in the Black community occurred in parallel during the late twentieth century?
The expansion of Black voting power and political representation occurred alongside the economic growth of the Black middle class.
Who was Shirley Chisholm?
Shirley Chisholm was an advocate for women’s rights who became the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968.