AP History midterm exam

What is First Contact?

First Contact refers to the first encounters between European explorers and Indigenous peoples in North America. These meetings marked the beginning of long-term relationships involving trade, cultural exchange, alliances, and eventually colonization and conflict. It is significant because it completely changed both European and Indigenous societies.

What were the immediate consequences of First Contact?

The immediate consequences included the introduction of European diseases such as smallpox, which devastated Indigenous populations with no immunity. There were also new trade relationships (fur, metal tools, firearms), cultural misunderstandings, and early alliances or conflicts depending on the region and groups involved.

What were the long-term consequences of First Contact?

Long-term consequences included massive population decline among Indigenous peoples, loss of land, disruption of traditional lifestyles, European colonization of North America, and the reshaping of political and cultural systems that still affect Indigenous communities today.

Who were the Vikings?

Vikings were Scandinavian seafarers from modern-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Around 1000 CE, they explored and raided across Europe and were the first known Europeans to reach North America.

Who was Leif Ericson?

Leif Ericson was a Viking explorer who is believed to have led voyages to North America around 1000 CE. He is associated with a region called “Vinland,” which may have been in present-day Newfoundland.

What is L’Anse aux Meadows?

L’Anse aux Meadows is a Viking archaeological site in Newfoundland. It is the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America and proves that Europeans reached the continent almost 500 years before Columbus.

Why did the Vikings abandon North America?

The Vikings likely abandoned their settlement due to long distances from Europe, difficulty maintaining supplies, harsh environmental conditions, and conflict or tension with Indigenous peoples.

What does “God, Glory, and Gold” mean?

It explains European motivations for exploration:

• God: spreading Christianity

• Glory: gaining fame, power, and national pride

• Gold: acquiring wealth, land, and resources

How did the Crusades influence exploration?

The Crusades increased European contact with the Middle East and Asia, exposing Europeans to luxury goods like spices and silk. This created demand for direct trade routes and encouraged exploration.

How did the Renaissance influence exploration?

The Renaissance encouraged curiosity, scientific thinking, improved navigation knowledge, and interest in discovering new lands, all of which supported exploration.

What technologies made exploration possible?

Key technologies included the compass (navigation), astrolabe (latitude measurement), improved mapmaking, and caravels (fast, durable ships that could travel long distances).

Who was Christopher Columbus?

Columbus sailed in 1492 under Spain, trying to reach Asia by sailing west. Instead, he reached the Caribbean islands and mistakenly believed he had arrived in Asia.

Why was Columbus mistaken?

He underestimated the size of the Earth and believed he had reached Asia. Because of this, he called Indigenous peoples “Indians,” a name that incorrectly stuck historically.

Who was John Cabot?

Cabot sailed in 1497 for England and explored parts of North America’s east coast. His voyages helped England claim territory in the New World.

Who was Henry Hudson?

Hudson explored parts of North America while searching for the Northwest Passage. He worked for both English and Dutch sponsors, and Hudson Bay is named after him.

Who was Jacques Cartier?

Cartier made three voyages between 1534 and 1542. He explored the St. Lawrence River, claimed land for France, and made early contact with Indigenous peoples.

What was the Northwest Passage?

The Northwest Passage was a hoped-for sea route through northern North America that would connect Europe to Asia more quickly for trade.

Why was the Northwest Passage important?

It was important because it promised a faster, cheaper trade route to Asia’s valuable goods such as spices, silk, and other luxury products.

What is mercantilism?

Mercantilism is an economic system where colonies exist to provide raw materials to the mother country, which then manufactures goods and sells them back to the colonies for profit.

What is Terra Nullius?

Terra Nullius means “land belonging to no one.” Europeans used this idea to justify taking Indigenous lands by claiming they were not properly “owned” or used.

Why was Indigenous knowledge important?

Indigenous peoples provided essential knowledge about survival, transportation (canoes, snowshoes), food sources, geography, and climate, which allowed Europeans to survive in North America.

Who was Samuel de Champlain?

Champlain founded Quebec in 1608 and is considered the “Father of New France.” He explored the St. Lawrence region and helped establish French colonies.

What was Quebec?

Quebec was founded in 1608 and became the first permanent French settlement in North America.

What was Port-Royal?

Port-Royal was founded in 1605 in Acadia and became one of the earliest French settlements in North America.

Why was the fur trade important?

Beaver pelts were highly valuable in Europe for making fashionable hats, making fur the economic foundation of New France.

What was Champlain’s alliance with the Huron?

Champlain allied with the Huron to strengthen fur trade networks, which led to conflict with the Iroquois Confederacy.

Who were coureurs de bois?

Coureurs de bois were independent French traders who traveled deep into North America to trade directly with Indigenous peoples.

What was the Company of One Hundred Associates?

A French company (1627) given control over trade and settlement in New France. It aimed to expand colonization and profit from resources.

What happened in 1663?

New France became a Royal Colony under King Louis XIV, meaning the French crown took direct control of governance.

Who was Louis XIV?

Louis XIV centralized control over New France and strengthened royal authority over the colony.

What was the Sovereign Council?

The governing body of New France, made up of a governor (military/external affairs), an intendant (finance/law), and a bishop (religion).

What was the Seigneurial System?

A land system where seigneurs owned large estates and habitants rented small plots of land to farm.

Who were habitants?

French settlers who farmed land in New France and lived under the seigneurial system.

Who were Les Filles du Roi?

Young French women sent to New France to marry settlers and increase the population.

Who were the Jesuits?

Catholic missionaries who attempted to convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity and lived among them.

What was the Carignan-Salières Regiment?

A group of French soldiers sent in 1665 to protect New France from Iroquois attacks.

What was Acadia?

A French colony in Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI).

What was the Expulsion of the Acadians?

Between 1755–1762, the British forcibly removed over 10,000 Acadians for refusing loyalty to Britain.

Why were Acadians expelled?

They refused to swear unconditional allegiance to Britain, which made them appear politically unreliable during war.

What was the Treaty of Utrecht (1713)?

A treaty where France gave Britain control of Acadia, Newfoundland, and Hudson Bay.

Why is the Treaty of Utrecht important?

It marked the beginning of British dominance in North America.

Why was the Battle of the Plains of Abraham important?

It led to British victory over France and the collapse of French rule in Canada.

Who were Wolfe and Montcalm?

Both generals died in the 1759 battle.

What was the Treaty of Paris (1763)?

It ended the Seven Years’ War and transferred New France from France to Britain.

How did French and British relations with Indigenous peoples differ?

The French focused on trade alliances and cooperation, while the British focused more on settlement and land control.

Why is the Royal Proclamation still important?

It recognized Indigenous land rights and set the foundation for treaty relationships still used today.

How are the Royal Proclamation, Quebec Act, American Revolution, and Constitution Act connected?

They were British attempts to manage growing tensions between Indigenous peoples, French Canadians, and American colonists while maintaining control of North America.

What were the four types of Loyalists?

• political Loyalists

• military Loyalists

• religious Loyalists

• Indigenous Loyalists

Why did people remain Loyalists?

• loyalty to Britain

• fear of revolution

• economic security

• protection of land and status

Why were First Nations considered losers of the War of 1812?

They lost British military support for protecting Indigenous land claims after the war ended.

What was the problem with the Constitution Act (1791)?

It created divisions between Upper and Lower Canada and led to political conflict and unequal representation.

How did people respond to these problems?

Through the Rebellions of 1837 demanding political reform.

What compromise did Britain create?

Responsible Government, giving elected officials more control.

Who attended the Charlottetown Conference?

Leaders from the Province of Canada and the Maritime colonies.

Who attended the Quebec Conference?

The same regions plus additional delegates to design the structure of Confederation.

How was Quebec Conference different?

It focused on detailed political structure rather than just discussion.

Who was John A. Macdonald?

A key leader who strongly supported Confederation and helped design Canada’s government.

What government system was chosen?

A federal system dividing powers between national and provincial governments.

What happened to the Province of Canada?

It was split into Ontario and Quebec.

Why did French Canadians support Confederation?

It protected language, religion, and civil law.

Why were Maritimes hesitant?

They feared loss of political power and economic independence.

What was created at Quebec Conference?

The Quebec Resolutions, outlining Confederation terms.

What did delegates do after conferences?

They returned home to debate and gain support.

What happened to Confederation afterward?

It gained approval but required final British agreement.

Why was the London Conference held?

To finalize Confederation with British approval.

What happened with the British North America Act in March 1867?

In March 1867, the British North America Act was passed by the British Parliament. This law set the legal framework for creating the country of Canada by uniting several British colonies under one federal system.

What happened on July 1, 1867, and why is it important?

On July 1, 1867, Canada officially became a country through Confederation. This is the date the Dominion of Canada was created, which is why July 1 is celebrated as Canada Day today.