APUSH UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE
Colonization to Revolution (Ch. 1-5)
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This time period (pre-1492 through 1770s) represents approx. 20% of the content that
will be tested during the May 11, 2012 AP US History Exam.
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Pre-Columbian Societies
Early inhabitants of the Americas
Bering land bridge – 15,000-20,000 years ago
Paleo-Indians
Agricultural Revolution: shift from nomadic hunters and gatherers to permanent villages
American Indian empires in Mesoamerica, the Southwest, and the Mississippi Valley
Diplomacy (Indian Confederacies formed), trade, war, diversity, culture
• Anasazi culture—Chaco Canyon
– Irrigation system, roads for transportation
• Adena and Hopewell peoples—Ohio Valley
– Large ceremonial mounds, trade network
• Cahokia—Mississippi Valley
– Large ceremonial mounds, trade network
Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492–1690
Amerigo Vespucci – explorer America is named after
First European contacts with American Indians
Tribes on Atlantic Coast faced European contact first and were therefore most quickly
impacted/transformed as a result.
• Iroquois—central New York
• Powhattan—Chesapeake (interacted with Jamestown settlers, attacked in 1622 and 1644)
Roanoke (1588)– The “Lost Colony”, Sir Walter Raleigh, John White
Effects of European contact on Indians – death, lack of immunity to European diseases, violence,
trade (fur trade with French in exchange for weapons, metals).
Spain’s empire in North America (By 1650, half million Spaniards in New World, mostly males
who intermarried with Native population - mestizos)
Catholicism
Christopher Columbus
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)
Conquistadores (Cortes – conquered Aztecs in Mexico in 1521, Pizarro – conquered Incas in Peru)
–
searching for “God, gold, and glory”
–
Encomienda system - Large land grants and entire Indian villages given to conquistadors
as reward for their discoveries
St. Augustine – settled in 1565, first permanent European settlement in New World
Spanish Armada – defeated by British in 1588
Mission system – established church missions to convert Native Americans to Catholicism
Fr. Junipero Serra and the Franciscans
Pope’s Rebellion (aka “Pueblo Revolt”) – uprising of Indians against Spanish settlers
French colonization of Canada
Samuel de Champlain – father of “New France”, founded Quebec in 1608
Fur trade more important than establishing permanent settlement
Generally friendly relationships with Indians, unlike English
From servitude to slavery in the Chesapeake region
Richard Hakluyt - Advertised that colonies make great profit for investors, portrayed the land as
paradise to attract settlers. English were hesitant after Roanoke situation.
Jamestown, VA (1607) – started by London Company (later, Virginia Company), a joint-stock
company (later became a royal colony). Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the
New World. Struggles of Jamestown included gender imbalance – 1 woman: 6 men, high death rate,
lack of strong leadership work ethic, and loyalty in early years, environmental dangers, disease, etc.
John Smith
Indentured servitude
“Starving Time” (1609-1610)
Powhattan Indians – attacked colonists in 1622 and 1644 unsuccessfully removing them
John Rolfe – started tobacco crops in Jamestown, married Pocahontas (Powhattan’s daughter)
Headright system – created in 1618 by Edwin Sandys, 50-acre lot granted to each colonist who
paid his own transportation
House of Burgesses (1619) – first system of representative gov.’t in an English colony
Slavery – introduced to the Jamestown colony in 1619 when a ship full of slaves arrived. The
practice became a large part of their plantation economy, replacing indentured servants as the
primary workforce.
Baron de la Warr – instilled martial (military) law, forced colonists to work
Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) – Nathaniel Bacon thought that VA Governor William Berkeley
wasn’t protecting the colonists from Indians. He formed a rebel army, attacked neighboring
Indians, and turned on the colony.
Maryland – a refuge for Catholics. Maryland was a proprietary colony founded by George Calvert
(also known as Lord Baltimore).
Religious toleration was challenged – Protestants, Puritans, Anglicans also lived in the colony
however there was tension among the groups and the Puritans took hold of the colony for a period of
time. After the Glorious Revolution in England, a rebellion led by Protestant John Coode removed Lord
Baltimore from power. Later, power was restored to the Calverts/Lord Baltimores.
English settlement of New England, the Mid-Atlantic region, and the South
New England Colonies (Mass, RI, Connecticut, New Hampshire)
Plymouth Colony (1620) – Pilgrims, many of whom were Separatists
William Bradford – Plymouth governor
Mayflower Compact – signed by 41 men, an agreement of social contract. It acknowledged
loyalty to God and expressed a commitment to each other and the colony.
Peaceful negotiations with Indians, particularly Squanto, who taught them how to use fish
to fertilize crops and Massasoit, the leader of the Pokanoket Indians– first Thanksgiving
Massachusetts Bay Colony (1628) - eventually absorbed the Plymouth colony
Governor John Winthrop called it a “City Upon a Hill”
“Great Migration” – 20,000 came in 1630s-1640s, mostly in family units
Freemen – adult male, church members
Puritans – religion of Massachusetts Bay settlers who wanted religious/social reforms.
They were a product of Protestant Reformation, agreed with John Calvin’s idea of predestination. Practiced scripture-based religion, more extreme than Pilgrims of Plymouth.
-
Halfway Covenant
Salem Witch Trials (1692)
Cotton Mather – Puritan minister, Increase Mather’s son
Reverend Increase Mather – said spectral evidence should not be used. “It is
better that ten suspected witches should escape than that one innocent person should be
condemned.”
Dissenters – expelled from Massachusetts Bay Colony to nearby Rhode Island
- Roger Williams – advocated religious freedom and “separation of church and state”
which did not fit with the Puritan’s ways in Massachusetts Bay. He founded
Providence (in today’s Rhode Island) and started the Baptist Church in America
- Anne Hutchinson – believed in antinomianism (moral law is unnecessary because
salvation is determined by faith alone), freely interpreted the Bible, and criticized
ministers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was expelled to Rhode Island.
King Philip’s War (1676) – Native American leader Metacomet (aka “King Philip) led Indians
on attacks throughout New England. Colonial victory resulted but 90 colonial towns were
attacked and suffered damage.
Mid-Atlantic “Middle Colonies” (NY, Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania)
More diverse, ethnic mix, some free blacks
Henry Hudson - NY
“New Amsterdam”
Dutch settlement under Peter Stuyvesant
– land taken over by English in 1664, but Dutch people remained
Southern Colonies – Carolinas and Georgia (but also includes Chesapeake colonies of VA and MD
discussed earlier in study guide)
Anthony Ashley Cooper – settled proprietary colony, Carolinas. Cooper friends with Locke;
Created Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina – self government
Hard to encourage settlers, successful rice crops, many Barbadians
James Oglethorpe – founder of Georgia
Unpopular ideas banning rum and slavery (Oglethorpe’s laws were repealed in 1751).
Georgia was along Spanish borderlands and thought to provide buffer zone between
Spanish empire and British colonies.
Religious diversity in the American colonies
Pennsylvania – William Penn’s “holy experiment” – Religious diversity (which led to tension)
Quakers – antinomianism, rejected predestination
Frame of Government – established religious freedom in PA among other democratic rights
Resistance to colonial authority: Bacon’s Rebellion, Glorious Revolution, and Pueblo Revolt
Bacon’s Rebellion (discussed in Virginia/Jamestown section above)
How the Glorious Revolution (1688) in England affected colonies:
Leisler’s Rebellion – Leisler was the de-bowled dummy who revolted against the wrong dude.
Sloughter actually had been sent by William and Mary.
Removal of the unpopular Sir Edmund Andros who governed Dominion of New England
Pueblo Revolt “Pope’s Rebellion”
Colonial North America, 1690–1754
Population growth and immigration
Population growth: From 1700-1770- 250,000  over 2 million colonists
Reasons: #1 Natural increase – birthrate and life expectancy increase
#2 Immigration
Besides British and slaves:
1. Scots-Irish (150,000)
2. Germans (100,000)
-first group looking for religious freedom, like Quakers
- second wave were German Lutherans looking for material gain
3. Convict settlers (50,000)
- Transferred from England, Ireland, Scotland under Transportation Act (1718)
Transatlantic trade and the growth of seaports
Mercantilism – economic idea that a country should export more than it imports, should use imperial
colonies as a way to obtain natural resources and keep wealth out of the hands of rival powers
Triangular trade
Regulation of colonial trade: From Salutary neglect to the Navigation Acts
Growth of cities - influenced by Britain, port cities were very important to colonial life but only
contained about 5% of the population, development of consumer society
Benjamin West – painter
John Singleton Copley – painter
Georgian style – architecture named after King George
The Eighteenth-Century back country
Diversity in the backcountry – western frontier of colonies, Pennsylvania to Georgia, 800 miles
Scots-Irish
Germans
English
Free blacks
Native Americans
Great Wagon Road – used for transportation from north to south along frontier
Growth of plantation economies and slave societies
Southern plantations relied on slave labor – 90% of slaves were in Southern colonies
Slave culture
Stono Uprising (1739) – slave rebellion in S. Carolina
The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening
The Enlightenment – period of focus on logic and reason, look to science for answers
John Locke – Two Treatises of Government
Natural rights, consent of the governed, etc.
Great Awakening – 1730s-1740s Evangelical revival in the colonies by itinerant (traveling) preachers
Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God”
George Whitefield
“Old Lights” vs. “New Lights”
Colonial governments and imperial policy in British North America
King William’s War (1689)
Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713)
King George’s War
Colonial government structure – modeled off of England’s
1.
Governor (appointed by King if in a royal colony, which most were. Acted like a king.)
2.
Governor’s Council (similar to House of Lords in England, members chosen by king.)
3.
Colonial Assemblies (like House of Commons, where male citizens could vote on
legislation. Most were wealthy.)
Trial of John Peter Zenger (1735) – laid foundations for freedom of the press in America. Libel
charges against were not punishable because what he said about the NY governor was actually the
truth.
Navigation Acts – laws to regulate colonial trade, ensuring the England could profit and trade with
Dutch could be eliminated
The American Revolutionary Era, 1754–1789
The French and Indian War
The French and Indian War (aka The Seven Years War) –
George Washington served in military
Benjamin Franklin – philosophe, inventor, authored Poor Richard’s Almanac. He developed the
Albany Plan (which was ultimately rejected by the colonies and Parliament) and created the first
famous political cartoon “Join or Die”.
Proclamation of 1763
Pontiac’s War/Rebellion
The Imperial Crisis and resistance to Britain
White Pines Act
Sugar Act (1764)
Quartering Act (1765) – British military remaining in colonies must be given housing, food
Stamp Act (1765)
George Grenville
Declaratory Act (1766)
Townshend Acts (1767)– after Charles Townshend, taxes on glass, lead, paint, etc
Massachusetts’ Circular Letter (1768) – in response to the Townshend Acts
Boston Massacre (1770)– snowball fight turned deadly as Redcoats opened fire on colonial mob,
killing 5, including African American Crispus Attucks. Paul Revere created the wood engraving
entitled “The Bloody Massacre”. Britain referred to it as the “Boston Incident”.
Sons of Liberty – terrorized royal officials in the colonies, orchestrated Boston Tea Party in response
to the Tea Act (1773).
Coercive “Intolerable” Acts – passed in response to Boston Tea Party to punish the colonists:
1.
Port Act - Boston Harbor closed until tea damage is paid for by colonists
2.
Massachusetts Government Act – town meetings can only happen 1x/year and only
with royal gvt. representative in presence.
3.
Administration of Justice Act – British officials accused of wrongdoing within
colonies must be transported to Britain to be tried (where they would presumably get
off with less punishment)
4.
Quartering Act – soldiers must be housed by colonists
5.
Quebec Act - Expands British territory north into present-day Canada where
colonists do not have settlements established.
Daughters of Liberty – women, as household managers, participated in the boycotts of British goods,
made their own clothes, and decreased household reliance on imported goods
The “Revolutionaries”
Sam Adams
John Adams – eventual VP and 2nd President of USA, wife Abigail said “Remember the ladies…”
Patrick Henry – “Give me liberty or give me death”
George Washington
Paul Revere – “The British are coming!”
First Continental Congress (1774) – meeting of delegates to discuss situation with Britain, drafted
the Declaration of Rights and Grievances
The War for Independence: The American Revolution (1775-1783)
Lexington and Concord – “Shots heard ‘round the world”
Patriots – Colonists who desired independence
Loyalists (“Tories”) – Colonists still loyal to Britain
Colonial militias – minutemen
Second Continental Congress (1775)
Olive Branch Petition – sent by Second Continental Congress to King George III but was
rejected even though it expressed loyalty to Britain.
Prohibitory Act (1775) – British blockaded American posts
Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775) – victory for British but resulted in heavy losses
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776) – popular pamphlet that spread throughout the colonies
rationalizing war with Britain and the need for independence
Declaration of Independence (July 1776) – primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, including ideas
inspired by John Locke such as natural rights, and right of the people to abolish an unjust, arbitrary
government. Colonists officially declared their independence from Britain and listed their grievances
against King George III and Parliament.
Battle of Trenton (Dec. 1776)– Colonists’ Continental Army achieved victory against the Hessians
(British allies), after George Washington led the crossing of the Delaware River
Battle of Saratoga (1777)
Battle of Yorktown
Valley Forge - military camp of the Continental Army
General Cornwallis
Treaty of Paris (1783)
APUSH Unit 1 Essay Study Guide
Explain the differences
in the approaches to
exploration or
colonization among
those who showed
interest in the Americas
(Spanish, French, Dutch,
English). To what extent
did these groups
succeed in colonizing?
What were the
prevailing attitudes and
behaviors exhibited by
the European settlers
toward the Native
American population?
Spanish: first permanent settlement, St. Augustine, FL. Colonized from
Southern region to the West (CA). Mission system set up slave labor and
forced Catholicism on Indians.
To what extent was
religion an important
factor in the founding of
the colonies? What
evidence of religious
influence existed
throughout the 17th and
18th centuries?
New England colonies – religion very important
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay – settled for religious reasons,
escaping religious turmoil in Europe through Reformation
“Mayflower Compact”
Children taught religion in schools
Middle Colonies – Quakers “holy experiment” of religious tolerance in
Pennsylvania
Southern Colonies – not so much, except in Maryland (Catholics)
Although New England
and the Chesapeake
region were both settled
largely by people of
English origin, by 1700
the regions had evolved
into two distinct
societies. Why did this
difference in
development occur?
Contrast:
reasons for settlement: religion vs. $$$
life expectancy/health: life expectancy better in New England (80 years old vs.
40s)
environment: New England climate cooler vs. swampy Chesapeake with lots of
death due to disease
gender ratios: balanced in New England, came in family units vs. single men in
Chesapeake and gender imbalance. 1 woman: 6 men
family values: focus on family in New England (“grandparents”), not so much
in Chesapeake
Contrast the three/four
major colonial regions in
terms of their
economies.
New England: Very rich and very poor classes non-existent
Middle Colonies: Wealth level n middle, in between other regions
Southern Colonies: Most extremes between wealthy and poor, plantation
owners are wealthiest colonists
Contrast the three/four
major regions in terms
of their
social/political/religious
structures.
Socially:
New England:
Focus on family, grandparents, up to 8 children
Life surrounding church
French: traded furs for metals, peaceful negotiations with Indians. Did not
desire permanent settlements so much.
Dutch: Settle “New Amsterdam” (NY) but were conquered by English in 1664
English: hot and cold relations with Indians
Iroquois were allies of British in French and Indian War
Middle Colonies:
Ethnic diversity: Scots-Irish, Germans
Southern Colonies:
Gender imbalance: more males, single
Politically: government structures similar, three tiered, mostly royal colonies
New England:
Laws and political power tied to church/church membership
Southern Colonies:
Slavery, indentured servitude, headright system, House of Burgesss in VA
Focus on crops and $$$
Religiously:
New England:
Most religious – Puritans, Separatists
Laws based on moral law
Religious dissent not tolerated in Massachusetts
Middle Colonies:
Quakers in PA promoted religious toleration
Southern Colonies:
Religion not as important, although Maryland founded originally for Catholics
Discuss the introduction First slaves arrive in VA in 1619, status of slaves unclear. Some earned
of slavery to the colonies freedom in early years and even acquired land and slaves themselves.
and the experiences of
Slaves were seen as inferior, even evil. Slavery/conversion would “help”
slaves in the colonies
them.
throughout the 17th and
As colonial slave population increases by 1670s, so do laws to regulate them.
18th centuries.
Expectations that slaves should become Christians – most slaves accepted but
adapted the religion, making it their own.
Mixed race people were slaves and children of slaves automatically were
slaves by late 17th century.
Development of slave culture – music, stories, communication among slave
communities
Slaves in New England: fewer slaves (approx. 5%-10% of population) per
owner, slaves lived in houses among whites, household servants.
Slaves in Southern Colonies: rural, plantation-based economy, some Masters
owned up to 200 slaves. Slaves had limited interaction with whites and
represented up to 60% of the population. Used to cultivate tobacco, cotton,
rice. 90% of colonial slaves were in Southern colonies. Stono Uprising.
To what extent did the
colonists from England
model their political
institutions and society
off of their mother
country? (What was
similar? What was
different?)
To what extent was
rebellion displayed
against the European
colonists in the 17th and
Government structure in colonies
1.
Governor (appointed by King if in a royal colony, which most
were. Acted like a king, but was often more powerful – could veto
and fire)
2.
Governor’s Council (similar to House of Lords in England,
members chosen by king.)
3.
Colonial Assemblies (like House of Commons, where male
citizens could vote on legislation. Most were wealthy.)
Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) – rebellion of VA settlers, led by Nathaniel Bacon,
against Indians and Jamestown settlers
18th centuries?
To what extent were
colonists affected by
outside groups (other
European settlers and
the native population)?
Explain the emergence
of education institutions
in the 17th and 18th
century colonies.
Pope’s Rebellion (1680)– Indian revolt against Spanish colonizers in New
Mexico. Pueblo Indians rose up against soldiers and missionaries, temporarily
drove white European settlers out of the area
Stono Uprising (1739) – slave rebellion against Masters in S. Carolina, 150
slaves rebellion but were caught/executed en route to Spanish Florida
British and Native Americans:
1622 and 1644 Powhattan attacks on colonists
Established trade with Indians
First Thanksgiving
Metcomet “King Philip’s War”
Pontiac’s War/Rebellion
British and French:
Century of imperial wars fought by colonists on behalf of British fighting
against French. King William’s War (1689), Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713),
King George’s War, French and Indian War
Schools in New England colonies were to educate young boys about religion.
Paid for by taxes contributed by people living in the community.
Sectarian (religious) schools – primarily to train male ministers, many (last
5 on this list) emerged after Great Awakening “New Lights”
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Columbia
Brown
Rutgers
Dartmouth
Compare/contrast the
experiences of 17th and
18th century colonists.
What were the political
and social
characteristics of
colonial society?
17th century
survival mode
indentured servitude
introduction of slavery
witch accusations in Massachusetts
How did the imperial
wars take shape in the
18th century colonies?
King William’s War
England’s King William III declared war on France (Louis XVI)
Colonial involvement due to Canadian raids in Massachusetts and NY
18th century
population increase
convict settlers
more diversity
How did these events –
King William’s and
Queen Anne’s Wars,
King George’s War, and
the French and Indian
(Seven Years) War impact the relationship
between the colonists
and Britain?
Some historians have
claimed that the Great
Awakening may have
helped to “democratize”
the American colonies.
Evaluate this claim.
What were the
characteristics of an 18th
century, pre-Revolution
“Anglo-American” and
what forces when into
shaping people of this
new culture?
Explain the emergence
of major cities and their
impact (politically,
socially, culturally) on
the colonies as a whole.
To what extent was
colonial society
democratic?
Queen Anne’s War
Austria and France held rival claims to Spanish throne
North American fighting among settlers, nothing to show for sacrifice at war’s end
King George’s War
Struggle among Britain, Spain, and France for control of New World territory
and central Europe
Colonists dragged into imperial conflict and helped achieve victory over
France however, in treaty, England gives territory won by colonists back to
France. Colonists did not gain anything.
French and Indian War ”Seven Years War”
Colonists and Indians recruited to fight French and their Indian allies
Colonists sent men and money but were accused of not fully supporting
British.
Aftermath left Britain in debt so they taxed the colonies. In addition, King
George III insisted on having a military presence in the colonies after the war,
which he also wanted the colonists to pay for.
Encouraged regular people to read the scripture for themselves rather than
relying on the information coming second hand and interpreted by a minister.
Led to opening of new universities.
Created divisions within the existing Christian/Protestant churches
English speaking
Ethnic diversity – English, Scots-Irish, Germans, Dutch, etc.
Much influence from Britain: art, ideas, architecture
Consumer culture - manufactured, imported goods from Britain
Belief in self-government (ex: House of Burgesses), no hereditary aristocracy
In general, religious toleration, but not true everywhere.
Family values
Indentured servitude and slave-owning acceptable
Unequal distribution of wealth but social mobility was possible unless you
were a slave
Population was young: 50% under age 16
Longer lifespans and healthy birthrate particularly in New England
Social center – exchange of ideas (Enlightenment, John Locke, Ben Franklin)
Display of the arts – theater, music, fashion, architecture
Contained 5% of colonial population but was site of major commercial
activity
Port cities along Atlantic Coast – site of protest against British taxation in
1760s and 1770s
Cities had no more than 40,000 people in 1770
1600s
- primarily royal colonies, which meant the Governor (like a king) had
authority as well as Governor’s Council (apptd. by king). Governor had power
to veto laws, could fire judges
For Indians and slaves – no democracy. Slaves are property, especially after
1670s.
Men’s roles vs. Women’s – traditional gender roles, women could not own land
or vote.
Only men (white, property-owning) could vote or participate in Colonial
Assemblies however the members were likely to be among the wealthy/elite
so they may not have been representing everyone in the colony. Selfgovernment evident in House of Burgesses and Mayflower Compact.
1700s – more democratic than 1600s, but still limited
Increase in population and diversity. Religious restrictions were removed by
1700s, allowing more men (though still only white, property owning) to
participate.
Men in colonies vs. Men in Britain - Among males, more men could participate
in representative government in colonies than in Britain, so colonial society
was more democratic.
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Additional study resources for Unit 1
- Watch the mini presentations on AP US History topics from Hippocampus.org
(http://www.hippocampus.org/US%20History;jsessionid=C7DDE25266C435DC2F4E55604BC3E874)
- Ch. 1-5 Powerpoints attached at bottom of APUSH Unit 1 page on Mrs. Tsai’s
website: https://sites.google.com/site/tsaihistory/
- Read/annotate your 5 Steps to a 5 book Chapters 5-8 (pages 61-92)