Focus on European colonial motives and methods in the Americas.
Video is part of an ultimate review packet for AP US History.
European Colonization Overview
Spain: Extract wealth through cash crops, gold, and subjugation of native populations. Conversion to Christianity and the caste system based on racial ancestry.
France: More interested in trade (fish and fur) than conquest. Few settlers, with some French traders marrying American Indian wives for trade alliances. Cultural exchanges included beaver skin preparation and iron cookware.
Dutch: Established a fur trading center in present-day New York for economic goals. Founded New Amsterdam in 1624 and showed little interest in converting natives.
British: Most relevant to US history. Motivated by economic opportunities, religious freedom, and better living conditions.
British Colonial Settlements
Chesapeake Region
Jamestown (1607): First permanent settlement. Joint-stock company model for profit. Early struggles with disease and famine. Tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe led to prosperity.
Labor Systems: Initially relied on indentured servants; shift towards African slavery after Bacon's Rebellion.
New England Colonies
Pilgrims (1620): Settled for religious reasons, not profit. Established family economies and overcame initial hardships.
British West Indies and Southern Colonies
Caribbean Colonies (1620s): Grew tobacco and sugar cane. High demand for African slaves due to labor-intensive crops. Strict laws governing slaves.
Carolina Colonies: Influenced by Caribbean plantation model.
Middle Colonies
New York and New Jersey: Diverse, export economy based on cereal crops. Emerging class inequalities.
Pennsylvania: Founded by William Penn, recognized religious freedom, and negotiated with Native Americans for land.
Governance and Trade
Colonies developed self-governing structures due to distance from Britain.
Mayflower Compact: Early self-governing framework.
House of Burgesses: Representative assembly with taxing powers.
Mercantilism: Colonies crucial for raw materials to maintain favorable trade balance. Navigation Acts restricted trade to English routes.
Slavery in British Colonies
3 million Africans carried on British ships (1700-1808), mainly to the West Indies.
Slavery entrenched in southern colonies; slave codes defined slaves as property.
Resistance: Covert (cultural customs, sabotage) and overt (e.g., Stono Rebellion).
Relations with Native Americans
Metacom's War (1675): Conflict over land encroachment in New England.
Colonial Society and Religion
Enlightenment: Emphasized rational thinking; spread through print culture, introducing ideas like natural rights and social contract.
Great Awakening: Religious revival led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Led to increased Christian enthusiasm and a sense of American identity.
Growing anglicanization and resistance to British practices (e.g., impressment).
Conclusion
Overall, the unit covers the diverse colonial efforts and their impacts on native populations, trade, society, and the eventual conflicts leading to a unique American identity.