AP US History Unit 1: American Origins Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms from the AP US History Unit 1: American Origins notes.

Christopher Columbus

Spanish explorer who claimed Caribbean islands for Spain (1492–1504), helped establish the Spanish empire, and died disgraced in 1506.

Bartolomé de las Casas

Dominican priest who criticized Spanish cruelty toward Indians and helped end the encomienda system.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Western and Eastern Hemispheres beginning with Columbus's first voyage; examples include squash, potatoes, corn, cattle, horses, and smallpox.

Epidemic

Widespread outbreak of an infectious disease in a community at a specific time.

Encomienda system

Spanish colonial system granting protection to Indian populations in exchange for labor; effectively slavery; ended mid-1500s due to exploitation and inefficiency.

Hernando Cortés

Conquered the Aztecs, captured Tenochititlán, and destroyed the Aztec civilization after opposing Montezuma in 1521.

Northwest Passage

Mythical water route to Asia; pursuit of a western route to India/China spurred exploration.

Pueblo Revolt

Indian uprising in New Mexico (1680) against Spain and the Catholic Church; rebels killed 400 colonists and destroyed missions; held off Spaniards for 14 years.

New England Colonies

Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire; founded as refuges for Pilgrims and Puritans seeking religious freedom.

Middle Colonies

Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware; known for religious and social diversity.

Chesapeake Colonies

Virginia and Maryland; economy dependent on cash crops like tobacco.

Southern Colonies

South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia; slavery grew due to labor-intensive crops like rice and indigo.

Maryland Toleration Act (1649)

Granted freedom of worship to all Christians; protected Catholic minority; did not extend to non-Christians.

Anne Hutchinson

Charismatic Puritan in Massachusetts Bay who challenged salvation by works; led Antinomian controversy; banished in 1638 and killed by Indians in 1643.

Anglican Church

Church of England started by Henry VIII; monarch as head; strongest in the Southern Colonies; by 1776 second-largest in America behind Congregationalists.

Congregationalist (Puritans)

Purified Anglican Church, believed in predestination; strong in New England and intolerant of other groups.

Halfway Covenant

Puritan compromise allowing baptism for children of nonchurch members; they could not take communion or vote in church/government affairs.

Headright system

Land grants to a family head and to sponsors bringing settlers; 50–200 acres per person.

House of Burgesses

First popularly elected legislative assembly in America; met in Jamestown in 1619.

Indentured servants

Laborers who served 4–7 years in exchange for passage to America; often from poorer English classes; eventually freed.

John Smith

Saved Jamestown by enforcing work and order in 1607–1608 and promoted colonization.

John Winthrop

Leader of the Puritans who settled Massachusetts Bay; called for a city upon a hill and presided over crises including banishments of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson.

Mayflower Compact

Written agreement (1620) to create a self-governing body among male Plymouth settlers; a precursor to later charters and constitutions.

Mercantilism

Economic doctrine where the mother country dominates and regulates colonies, fixes trade patterns, imposes tariffs, and discourages colonial manufacturing.

Navigation Acts

English laws enforcing mercantilism; restricted colonial trade to English ships, enumerated goods to England or other English colonies, and limited manufacturing.

Roger Williams

Puritan who advocated separation of church and state and rights for Native Americans; banished 1635 and founded Rhode Island (Rogue Island).

Salem witch trials

Witchcraft hysteria in 1692; 19 people executed and hundreds imprisoned; subsided when accusations reached prominent individuals.

Salutary neglect

British policy (1607–1763) of minimal interference with colonies, allowing prosperity and growth, which later fueled revolutionary tensions.

Society of Friends (Quakers)

Religious group founded by George Fox; belief in the Inner Light; William Penn established Pennsylvania as a Quaker haven in 1681 and promoted religious tolerance.

Theocracy

Goverment run by the church; in Massachusetts Bay, church membership determined voting rights and required attendance.

William Penn

Quaker founder of Pennsylvania; intended as a haven for Quakers; promoted religious tolerance and generally good relations with Native Americans.

Metacom’s War (King Philip's War)

Conflict (1675–1676) between New England colonists and a Native American alliance resisting Puritan encroachment on land and livelihoods.

Chattel Slavery

System in which people are treated as personal property to be bought and sold.

Bacon’s Rebellion

1676 rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon against Native Americans; attacked Jamestown; temporarily deposed the governor; highlighted frontier tensions and issues with indentured servitude.

Stono Rebellion

Slave uprising in South Carolina (1739) where enslaved people attacked plantations; 20 whites killed; ultimate suppression and brutal reprisals.

Atlantic Slave Trade

Segment of the triangular trade transporting 10–12 million enslaved Africans to the Americas (16th–19th centuries); Europe to Africa arms/textiles/wine; Africa to Americas enslaved people; Americas to Europe sugar/coffee.

Enlightenment

European intellectual movement emphasizing reason, nature, and humanity; promoted knowledge, freedom, and happiness.

Benjamin Franklin

Printer, publisher, inventor, scientist, diplomat; Founding Father; helped draft the Declaration; represented the U.S. in France; contributor to electricity studies.

First Great Awakening

Religious revival in the colonies (1730s–1740s) led by George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards; stressed atonement and challenged secular rationalism.

Jonathan Edwards

Congregational minister and key Great Awakening figure; authored Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

Protestant Evangelicalism

Trans-denominational movement emphasizing gospel preaching, personal conversion, Bible as sole authority, and active spreading of faith.