Highland History: AP US History Unit 2 Review

Introduction

• Time period: 1607-1754
• Focus on comparing European motives and methods in colonizing the Americas
• This lecture is part of an ultimate review package for AP US History

European Colonization

Spanish Colonization

• Goals: Wealth extraction (cash crops, gold, silver)
• Methods: Subjugation of Native populations, conversion attempts, introduction of caste system based on racial ancestry

French Colonization

• Goals: Trade-focused, especially in fish and fur
• Methods: Few settlers, established trading posts
• Relationships: Intermarriage with Native Americans, alliance with Ojibway Indians
• Cultural exchange: Beaver skins prepared by Indians, introduction of iron cookware by French

Dutch Colonization

• Established a fur trading center (Hudson River, New York)
• Goals: Economic, Protestant with little interest in conversion
• Established New Amsterdam as an economic hub

British Colonization

• Motivations:
  • Economic opportunities due to domestic issues (inflation, wars, enclosure movement)
  • Religious freedom and improved living conditions
• Regions:
  • Chesapeake Region (Jamestown, 1607):
    • First permanent settlement, financed by joint stock company
    • Initially profit-seeking, tobacco cultivation pivotal
    • Labor: Initially indentured servants, later African slaves due to Bacon's Rebellion
  • New England Colonies:
    • Settled by Pilgrims for religious reasons
    • Family-centered, agricultural and commerce-based economy
  • British West Indies and Southern Atlantic Coast:
    • Colonies in the Caribbean (e.g., Barbados) focused on sugar cane
    • High demand for African slaves
  • Middle Colonies (e.g., New York, Pennsylvania):
    • Diverse, export economy with cereal crops
    • Pennsylvania founded by Quakers, noted for religious freedom and negotiations with Natives

Colonial Governance

• Autonomous Structures:
  • Mayflower Compact: Self-governing church congregation model
  • House of Burgesses in Virginia: Representative assembly, elite-dominated
• Trade and Economy:
  • Atlantic trade system, triangular trade
  • Mercantilism: Wealth measured in gold/silver, colonies vital for raw materials
  • Navigation Acts: Trade regulations to benefit England

Slavery in British Colonies

• Participation:
  • All colonies involved, varied levels
  • Significant in Chesapeake and southern colonies
• Resistance:
  • Covert: Maintaining cultural customs, sabotage
  • Overt: Examples like Stono Rebellion

Relations with Native Americans

• Conflicts:
  • Metacom's (King Philip's) War: Natives resisting colonial encroachment

Colonial Society

• Religious Influence:
  • Enlightenment: Emphasis on rational thinking over tradition
  • Spread of ideas like natural rights, social contract
• Great Awakening:
  • Religious revival led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield
  • Created a shared American identity
• Anglicization:
  • Colonies adopting English-like political structures
  • Rising mistrust towards British practices like impressment

Conclusion

• Colonial experiences paving the way for future independence movements
• Understanding these dynamics is crucial for success in AP US History exams