Unit 2 Ap Us History Review

Unit 2 AP US History Review: Colonial Society and Culture (1607-1754)

The period between 1607 and 1754, often referred to as Unit 2 in the AP US History curriculum, witnessed the burgeoning of colonial societies in North America, each shaped by distinct European origins, economic activities, and evolving social structures. Understanding this era is crucial for grasping the roots of the American Revolution and the formation of a unique American identity. This review will cover the major themes, key events, and influential figures that defined this pivotal period.

I. Establishing the Colonies: Diverse Motivations and Approaches

European powers, driven by varying motivations, established colonies along the eastern seaboard of North America. Their approaches to colonization differed significantly, leading to distinct regional characteristics.

• The English: England, motivated by mercantilism, sought to extract raw materials and create markets for its manufactured goods. They also aimed to alleviate social and economic pressures at home by providing opportunities for land ownership and religious freedom in the New World. English colonization followed a diverse pattern, resulting in three distinct regions:

  • Chesapeake Colonies (Virginia and Maryland): Driven by the pursuit of profit, these colonies initially relied heavily on indentured servitude for labor to cultivate tobacco. The headright system, granting land to those who paid for passage or brought indentured servants, fueled expansion and social stratification. The House of Burgesses in Virginia represented an early form of representative government. Maryland, founded by Lord Baltimore, served as a haven for Catholics, though religious tensions persisted.
  • New England Colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire): Founded primarily by Puritans seeking religious freedom from persecution in England, these colonies emphasized community, education, and religious piety. The Mayflower Compact, signed aboard the Mayflower, established a framework for self-government. Town meetings became a central feature of New England governance. The emphasis on literacy led to the establishment of Harvard College in 1636. Religious dissent, however, led to the founding of new colonies like Rhode Island (Roger Williams, advocating for religious tolerance) and Connecticut (Thomas Hooker, promoting democratic principles).
  • Middle Colonies (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware): Characterized by their diverse populations, religious tolerance, and mixed economies, the Middle Colonies served as a bridge between the agrarian South and the commercially oriented North. New York, initially a Dutch colony (New Netherland), was seized by the English and became a major trading center. Pennsylvania, founded by William Penn, offered religious freedom to Quakers and attracted immigrants from various European backgrounds. The Middle Colonies became known as the "breadbasket" of America, exporting grains and other agricultural products.

• The Spanish: Spain focused on exploiting the resources of the Americas, particularly gold and silver, and converting Native Americans to Christianity. Their colonial empire, stretching from South America to the Southwest of North America, was characterized by a rigid social hierarchy and centralized control from the Spanish crown. The encomienda system, granting Spanish colonists the right to demand labor and tribute from Native Americans, led to widespread abuse and exploitation.

• The French: France established colonies primarily for fur trading, focusing on the St. Lawrence River Valley and the Mississippi River Valley. They maintained a relatively small European population and relied on alliances with Native American tribes to facilitate their trade networks. Unlike the English, the French generally maintained better relations with Native Americans, though competition for resources still led to conflict.

• The Dutch: Similar to the French, the Dutch focused on trade, establishing New Netherland (present-day New York) as a major commercial hub. They practiced religious tolerance and attracted a diverse population, but their colony was ultimately taken over by the English.

II. Colonial Economies: From Mercantilism to Regional Specialization

The economic development of the colonies was shaped by mercantilist policies, which aimed to benefit the mother country, and by the unique resources and opportunities available in each region.

• Mercantilism: This economic theory held that a nation's power was based on its wealth, measured in gold and silver. Colonies were seen as sources of raw materials and markets for manufactured goods, with the goal of creating a favorable balance of trade for the mother country. England implemented Navigation Acts to enforce mercantilist policies, restricting colonial trade to English ships and requiring certain goods to pass through English ports.
• Chesapeake Economy: Dominated by tobacco cultivation, the Chesapeake colonies relied heavily on labor, initially indentured servants and later enslaved Africans. The fluctuating price of tobacco led to economic instability and social tensions.
• New England Economy: Characterized by a diversified economy including agriculture (subsistence farming), fishing, shipbuilding, and trade. New England merchants played a crucial role in the triangular trade, exchanging rum, slaves, and molasses between the Americas, Africa, and the West Indies.
• Middle Colonies Economy: A mixed economy based on agriculture (grain production), trade, and manufacturing. Philadelphia and New York City emerged as major commercial centers.
• The Growth of Slavery: Initially, indentured servitude was the primary source of labor in the colonies. However, as the demand for labor increased, particularly in the Chesapeake colonies, and as the supply of indentured servants decreased, colonists turned increasingly to enslaved Africans. The Middle Passage, the brutal journey across the Atlantic, resulted in the death of millions of Africans. Slave codes, defining the legal status of slaves and the rights of slave owners, further entrenched the institution of slavery.

III. Colonial Society: Social Structures, Cultural Developments, and Religious Movements

Colonial society evolved along distinct lines, shaped by economic opportunities, religious beliefs, and cultural influences.

• Social Hierarchy: A social hierarchy emerged in each region, with wealthy landowners, merchants, and professionals at the top, followed by small farmers, artisans, and laborers. Enslaved Africans occupied the bottom rung of society, denied basic rights and subjected to brutal treatment.
• Family and Gender Roles: The family served as the basic unit of colonial society. Men typically worked in agriculture, trade, or crafts, while women were responsible for domestic duties, raising children, and managing the household. Women had limited legal and political rights.
• Education: New England placed a strong emphasis on education, with the establishment of public schools to ensure literacy and promote religious instruction. The Middle Colonies also valued education, with private schools and academies catering to a diverse population. Education in the Chesapeake colonies was less widespread, with wealthy planters often hiring tutors for their children.
• The Great Awakening: This religious revival, sweeping through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, emphasized emotionalism and personal religious experience. Key figures included Jonathan Edwards ("Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God") and George Whitefield. The Great Awakening led to the growth of new denominations, such as Baptists and Methodists, and challenged established religious authority. It also contributed to a sense of shared identity among colonists.
• The Enlightenment: This intellectual movement, emphasizing reason, individualism, and natural rights, influenced colonial thought and political discourse. Key Enlightenment thinkers included John Locke, whose ideas about natural rights and government by consent had a profound impact on the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin, a leading figure in the American Enlightenment, exemplified the spirit of inquiry and innovation.
• Colonial Governments: Colonial governments varied in structure, but most included a governor appointed by the Crown or proprietor, and an elected assembly representing the colonists. These assemblies gradually asserted their power, challenging the authority of the governors and enacting laws that reflected colonial interests.

IV. Conflict and Resistance: Seeds of Revolution

Growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain, stemming from economic policies, political control, and cultural differences, laid the groundwork for the American Revolution.

• The French and Indian War (1754-1763): This conflict, fought between Britain and France for control of North America, had a profound impact on the colonies. The British victory resulted in the expulsion of France from North America, but it also led to increased British control over the colonies and new taxes to pay for the war debt.
• Pontiac's Rebellion (1763): Following the French and Indian War, Native American tribes, led by Pontiac, launched a rebellion against British forts and settlements in the Ohio River Valley. The rebellion was eventually suppressed, but it prompted the British government to issue the Proclamation of 1763, prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. This angered colonists who sought to expand westward.
• Growing Colonial Resistance: British policies, such as the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act, sparked growing colonial resistance. Colonists argued that they should not be taxed without representation in Parliament ("No taxation without representation"). Groups like the Sons of Liberty organized protests, boycotts, and acts of defiance. The Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party further escalated tensions.

V. Key Individuals and Groups

Understanding the contributions and perspectives of key individuals and groups is essential for comprehending the complexities of colonial society.

• John Smith: Leader of the Jamestown colony, credited with helping the colony survive its early years.
• William Bradford: Governor of Plymouth Colony, author of Of Plymouth Plantation.
• John Winthrop: Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, envisioned the colony as a "city upon a hill."
• Roger Williams: Founder of Rhode Island, advocate for religious tolerance.
• Anne Hutchinson: Religious dissenter banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for her unorthodox views.
• William Penn: Founder of Pennsylvania, Quaker advocate for religious freedom.
• Jonathan Edwards: Leading figure of the Great Awakening, known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons.
• George Whitefield: Traveling preacher who helped spread the Great Awakening throughout the colonies.
• Benjamin Franklin: Leading figure of the American Enlightenment, inventor, diplomat, and writer.
• The Iroquois Confederacy: A powerful alliance of Native American tribes in the Northeast, played a significant role in colonial politics and warfare.
• Enslaved Africans: Represented a significant portion of the colonial population, particularly in the South. Their labor was essential to the colonial economy, but they were subjected to brutal treatment and denied basic rights.

VI. Themes and Key Concepts

• Mercantilism and Colonial Economies: Understanding how mercantilist policies shaped colonial economies and contributed to tensions with Great Britain.
• Religious Freedom and Toleration: Examining the role of religion in shaping colonial societies and the varying degrees of religious freedom and toleration in different regions.
• Social Hierarchy and Inequality: Analyzing the social structures and inequalities that characterized colonial society, including class divisions, gender roles, and the institution of slavery.
• Colonial Governance and Resistance: Understanding the development of colonial governments and the growing resistance to British policies that ultimately led to the American Revolution.
• Interactions with Native Americans: Examining the complex and often conflict-ridden interactions between colonists and Native American tribes.
• The Development of a Unique American Identity: Exploring the factors that contributed to the development of a distinct American identity, separate from that of Great Britain.

VII. Review Questions for AP US History Unit 2

To solidify your understanding of Unit 2, consider the following review questions:

• Compare and contrast the motivations and characteristics of the English, Spanish, and French colonies in North America.
• How did mercantilist policies shape colonial economies?
• What were the causes and consequences of the growth of slavery in the colonies?
• What were the main features of colonial society in New England, the Chesapeake, and the Middle Colonies?
• How did the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment influence colonial thought and society?
• What were the causes and consequences of the French and Indian War?
• How did British policies after the French and Indian War contribute to growing colonial resistance?
• What were the key arguments for and against colonial independence?
• Analyze the role of key individuals and groups in shaping colonial society.
• To what extent did the colonies develop a unique American identity by 1754?

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is mercantilism? Mercantilism is an economic theory that emphasizes the accumulation of wealth, particularly gold and silver, as the basis of a nation's power. Colonies were seen as sources of raw materials and markets for manufactured goods to benefit the mother country.
• What were the Navigation Acts? The Navigation Acts were a series of laws passed by the English Parliament to enforce mercantilist policies, restricting colonial trade to English ships and requiring certain goods to pass through English ports.
• What was the Great Awakening? The Great Awakening was a religious revival that swept through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, emphasizing emotionalism and personal religious experience.
• What was the Enlightenment? The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and natural rights.
• What was the French and Indian War? The French and Indian War was a conflict between Britain and France for control of North America.
• What was the Proclamation of 1763? The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
• What does "No taxation without representation" mean? This phrase reflected the colonists' belief that they should not be taxed by the British Parliament without having elected representatives to represent their interests.

IX. Conclusion

The period from 1607 to 1754 witnessed the establishment and development of diverse colonial societies in North America. Driven by varying motivations, shaped by distinct economic activities, and influenced by evolving social and cultural forces, the colonies laid the groundwork for the American Revolution and the formation of a unique American identity. Mastering the key themes, events, and figures of this era is crucial for success on the AP US History exam and for understanding the origins of the United States. Understanding the nuances of colonial life, the seeds of conflict with Great Britain, and the burgeoning sense of self-governance will provide a crucial foundation for understanding the revolution that was soon to follow. Good luck with your studies!