AP US History Unit 2 Review (1607-1754)

Summary

This lecture covers Unit 2 of AP US History, which spans from 1607 to 1754. It focuses on the motives and methods of European colonization in the Americas, emphasizing the contrasting approaches of the Spanish, French, Dutch, and British.

Major Themes

• Colonization motives and methods used by different European nations
• Economic and religious factors influencing colonization

Spanish Colonization

• Established colonies primarily for wealth extraction (cash crops, gold, silver)
• Enforced Christianity and introduced a caste system based on racial ancestry

French Colonization

• Focused on trade, particularly in fish and fur, rather than conquest
• Fewer settlers compared to other colonies; involved in marital alliances with Native Americans for trade advantages
• Benefited mutually with native populations, introduced new goods like iron cookware

Dutch Colonization

• Established a fur trading center in 1609 on the Hudson River, aimed at economic pursuits
• Colonists were mainly Protestant and generally not focused on converting natives
• Founded New Amsterdam in 1624, which became a trade hub

British Colonization

• Economic turmoil in Britain (inflation, wars) pushed colonization for new economic opportunities and land
• Established different types of colonies:
  • Chesapeake (Jamestown 1607): Started as a profit venture, faced severe challenges but eventually found prosperity in tobacco farming. Relied on indentured servants initially, with a shift to African slavery following Bacon's Rebellion.
  • New England: Settled by Pilgrims in 1620 for religious and communal purposes rather than economic. Established a stable agricultural and commercial economy.
  • British West Indies and Southern Atlantic coast: Cultivated sugarcane, leading to a high demand for African slaves.
  • Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania): Diverse populations with economies relying on crop exports and a democratic governance model with significant religious freedom in Pennsylvania.

Colonial Economy and Atlantic Trade

• Triangle Trade involved shipping routes between New England, West Africa, and the West Indies, trading rum, slaves, and sugar.
• Mercantilism dominated economic policy, emphasizing exports over imports, leading to the Navigation Acts which regulated trade to benefit England.

Slavery in the Colonies

• Between 1700 and 1808, approximately 3 million enslaved Africans were transported across the middle passage.
• Slavery was integral to the economies of the Southern and Caribbean colonies.
• Resistance to slavery included covert actions (sabotage, cultural preservation) and overt actions (like the Stono Rebellion in 1739).

Relations with Native Americans

• Continued conflict and tension, evidenced by episodes like Metacom's War (King Philip's War) in 1675, highlighting the ongoing resistance against British encroachments.

Colonial Society and Culture

• The Enlightenment introduced ideas of rationalism, natural rights, and democratic governance structures such as the Mayflower Compact and the House of Burgesses.
• The Great Awakening, a religious revival led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield, fostered a shared American identity and laid groundwork for future independence sentiments.

Colonial Resistance and Impressment

• The practice of impressment (forcing colonists into the Royal Navy) led to resistance and riots, signaling growing colonial discontent with British governance.

By examining these diverse aspects, the lecture provides a comprehensive overview of the complex interactions and developments in early American history during this period.