Highland History: AP US History Unit 2 Review

Introduction

• Covers AP US History Unit 2 (1607-1754).
• Focus on European colonization motives and methods.

European Colonization Overview

• Spanish Colonization:

  • Motive: Extract wealth (cash crops, gold, silver).
  • Methods: Enslaved native population, attempted conversion to Christianity, established caste system.

• French Colonization:

  • Motive: Trade (particularly fish and fur).
  • Methods: Less conquest, more trade; fewer settlers, intermarriage with Native Americans for trade alliances.

• Dutch Colonization:

  • Motive: Economic (fur trade).
  • Methods: Established New Amsterdam in 1624, Protestant, little interest in conversion.

• British Colonization:

  • Motive: Economic opportunities, religious freedom, improved living conditions.
  • Background: Economic turmoil in Britain due to Colombian Exchange, wars, inflation.

British Colonial Regions

Chesapeake Region

• Jamestown (1607):
  • First permanent British settlement.
  • Joint stock company model.
  • Early struggles: disease, famine, cannibalism.
  • Tobacco cultivation revolutionized economy.
  • Labor: Indentured servants.
  • Conflicts: Bacon's Rebellion due to native land encroachment.

New England Colonies

• Settled by pilgrims in 1620 for religious society.
• Family economies, agriculture, commerce.
• Early hardships similar to Chesapeake.

British West Indies and Southern Colonies

• Caribbean Colonies:

  • Economy: Tobacco and sugar cane.
  • Labor: Increasing reliance on African slaves.

• Carolina Colonies:

  • Influenced by the Caribbean system, copied slave-based economy.

Middle Colonies

• New York and New Jersey:

  • Diverse population, export economy of cereal crops.
  • Social inequality between wealthy elites and lower classes.

• Pennsylvania:

  • Founded by William Penn, Quaker principles, religious freedom.
  • Land obtained through negotiation with Native Americans.

Atlantic Trade and Economy

• Triangular Trade: New England (rum) ➔ West Africa (slaves) ➔ West Indies (sugar cane) ➔ back to New England.
• Mercantilism: Fixed wealth, colonies as raw material sources.
• Navigation Acts: Restricted trade to benefit English economy.

Slavery in British Colonies

• Massive slave importation via Middle Passage.
• Slavery crucial to export economies in tobacco, sugar cane, indigo.
• Resistance: Covert and overt (e.g., Stono Rebellion).

Native American Relations

• Conflict and resistance (e.g., Metacom's War/King Philip's War).

Colonial Society and Culture

• Enlightenment:

  • Rational thinking over tradition, spread through print culture.
  • Ideas: Natural rights, social contract, division of government.

• Great Awakening:

  • Religious revival led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield.
  • Democratic religious ideals, social upheaval, American identity formation.

• Anglicanization: Colonies becoming more English-like.

Growing Colonial-British Tensions

• Impressment: Forced service in Royal Navy, led to riots.
• Colonists increasingly aware of natural rights.

Conclusion

• Unit 2 covers critical early colonial developments and interactions.
• Understanding these themes is essential for excelling in AP US History exams.