Advanced Placement U.S. History
Colonial America Syllabus
 “The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds
and hearts of the people." ––John Adams, 1818 (AP Exam Question - 1988)
 "Traditionally, historians and generations of Americans have viewed the American Revolution
as an economic conflict between Britain and her colonial subjects when in fact, it can be
argued that the Revolution had its roots in politics and other areas of colonial American life
in the century prior to 1776." (AP Exam Question - 1986)
While the American Revolution marks the official separation of the 13 American colonies from Mother
England, there are historians who state that the process truly began the moment the Puritans landed
at Plymouth Rock! Their view is supported by the John Adams quote mentioned above who basically is
stating that the true American Revolution had occurred long before the first shots were fired.
How can this be? Didn’t the largest percentage of American colonists have their roots in Great
Britain? Furthermore, if we hold the second statement as true, how could we have become so
different in so many areas?
In our first unit we will begin to answer these questions in an attempt to understand the early
American national character that was extremely unique from its European roots. Knowledge of this
new American identity will help you to understand the TRUE reasons behind the American Revolution.
Furthermore, it will help us to focus on why many in America today believe we are the “chosen people.”
ID’s
Nation state
feudalism
Virginia Company
Enclosure
manorial system
House of Burgesses
Renaissance
Francis Drake
Walter Raleigh
Roger Williams
John Smith
Francisco Pizarro
Jonathan Edwards
John Rolfe
Thomas Hooker
Treaty of Tordesillas
Lord Baltimore
Mercantilism
“City on a Hill”
Anne Hutchinson
William Penn
Quakers
the “elect”
Puritans
Proprietary charter
royal charter
joint-stock charter
John Calvin
yeoman
indentured servant
Massachusetts Body of Liberties
Maryland Act of Toleration
Protestant Reformation
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Study Questions: (Your answers should be handwritten and a minimum of 50 words)
1. Would you classify the Puritans as Builders or Bigots? Support your answer.—Due Sept, 12
2. Historians have long debated whether or not the development of colonial-American society was
an extension of European society and culture or whether it was the development of a unique
America. —We will answer this in class on Sept 15 and 16.
Monday, August 25: Pass out class rules and American Pageant.
Tuesday, August 26: Pass out Howard Zinn’s book; discuss Fast Track to a 5
Review Syllabus and if time we will begin to discuss the difference between Primary and Secondary
documents.
Wednesday, August 27: Comparing and evaluating primary and secondary documents and evaluating
different viewpoints of history. Compare one historical view of Christopher Columbus with Howard
Zinn’s account. For Thursday—Complete the worksheet on “Who fired first at Lexington?” This will
be collected for a grade.
Thursday, August 28: Go over your homework and discuss which viewpoint is accurate? Begin to
identify the three major movements (The Renaissance, the Commercial Revolution and the Scientific
Revolution) that brought Europe to the Americas. Also begin to discuss how these movements formed
the basis for democracy. For Friday—Read in American Pageant pages 2-24
Friday, September 29: Complete our discussion to identify the importance of the three major
movements. We will also begin to identify the colonization goals of each European nation. For
Tuesday—Read American Pageant pp. 25-42.
Tuesday, September 2: In groups we will compare French, Spanish and English colonization of
America. After going over the comparisons, you will answer the thought questions on the bottom of
the handout. For Thursday—Read pages 1-9 from “Out of our Past.” Be prepared to discuss the
economic and political changes that Degler identifies in this reading.
Wednesday/Thursday, September 3/4: We will discuss why the English model of colonization became
most successful. We will also explain how American society was beginning to differ from European
society.
For Friday—study for quiz on pages 2-42 in American Pageant
Friday, September 5: First Pageant quiz on pages 2-42!! For Monday— Read John Winthrop's “City
on a Hill.”
Monday, Tuesday, September 8, 9: We will identify the Protestant impact on the developing
American society. We will discuss their beliefs in individual decision making that affected the
political and economic thinking of the settlers. We will also discuss one of the first rhyming themes
in American History: “City on a Hill.”
For Tuesday—Read Out of Our Past pages 9-28.
For Wednesday—Read the Mayflower Compact, Maryland Act of Toleration and answer the related
questions
NOTE: We also discuss what is expected of your study questions on Wednesday.
Wednesday, Thursday, September 10, 11: We will discuss the Puritan impact upon the new world.
We will also examine the English political ideals that are transplanted into the American wilderness.
No longer is your last name important!
Friday, September, 12: We will start your Colony Infomercial project. You will have time to work
on this in class, but you probably will be required to do some out of school work as well. Choose your
groups carefully! This will be due on Monday, September 22. For Tuesday—Read American Pageant
p. 43-65.
Monday, Tuesday, September 15, 16: How does the American capitalism of the 17th and 18th
centuries differ from the European version from the same period?
Compare the economies of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies
Wednesday-Friday, September 17-19: Group work on Infomercial project
Monday, September 22: Group projects are due. Review for Exam
Tuesday, September 23: Unit test on Colonial America