APUSH

Pre-Columbian Societies

Native American cultures existing in the Americas before European contact, including advanced civilizations like the Maya, Aztec, and Inca.

Iroquois Confederacy

A powerful alliance of six Native American tribes in the northeastern U.S., known for their political and military strength.

Olmec Civilization

One of the earliest Mesoamerican civilizations, known for colossal stone heads and advancements in art, religion, and architecture.

Encomienda System

A Spanish labor system where settlers were granted land and the right to extract forced labor from local Native Americans in exchange for Christianizing them.

Asiento System

Spanish system that allowed for the importation of African slaves to the New World, in exchange for a tax paid to the Spanish crown for each slave brought in.

Christopher Columbus

An Italian explorer whose 1492 voyage, funded by Spain, led to the European discovery of the Americas.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of goods, crops, animals, and diseases between the New World and Old World after 1492.

Conquistadors

Spanish explorers and soldiers who led military expeditions in the Americas, notably Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro.

John Smith

English explorer and leader of the Jamestown colony whose leadership helped the colony survive its early years.

Joint-Stock Company

A business venture where investors pool their resources to fund colonial ventures.

Jamestown (1607)

The first permanent English colony in America, founded in Virginia by the Virginia Company.

John Rolfe

English settler who introduced tobacco cultivation to Jamestown, ensuring the colony's survival.

Tobacco

The primary cash crop of the Chesapeake colonies that drove economic growth and demand for labor.

House of Burgesses

The first elected legislative assembly in the American colonies, established in Virginia in 1619.

Mayflower Compact

A 1620 agreement signed by the Pilgrims establishing a self-governing colony in Plymouth.

Puritans

English Protestants who sought to 'purify' the Church of England and believed in strict religious observance.

Pilgrims

English separatists who fled religious persecution and founded the Plymouth Colony in 1620.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

A Puritan colony founded in 1630 known for its theocratic government.

Great Migration (1630s)

The movement of over 20,000 Puritans to New England in the 1630s driven by religious persecution.

Roger Williams

A Puritan minister who founded Rhode Island after being banished for advocating religious freedom.

Anne Hutchinson

A Puritan woman banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for her beliefs challenging the clergy's authority.

Pequot War (1636-1638)

A conflict between the Pequot tribe and English settlers in Connecticut.

King Philip's War (1675-1678)

A violent conflict between Native American tribes led by Metacom (King Philip) and English settlers.

Bacon’s Rebellion (1676)

A revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon against the governor of Virginia, protesting the government’s failure to protect settlers.

Maryland Toleration Act (1649)

A law passed in Maryland granting religious freedom to all Christians.

Headright System

A system granting settlers land for paying their own or others' passage to the colonies.

Indentured Servitude

Labor system in which poor Europeans worked for a number of years in exchange for passage to the colonies.

Slave Codes

Laws defining the status of slaves and establishing hereditary slavery.

Triangular Trade

A three-part trading system involving raw materials, manufactured goods, and enslaved Africans.

Middle Passage

The brutal voyage in which African slaves were transported to the Americas.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that colonies exist to benefit the mother country.

Navigation Acts (1651-1673)

British laws restricting colonial trade to benefit England economically.

Dominion of New England

A consolidation of New England colonies under British control, unpopular among colonists.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

Overthrow of King James II that increased parliamentary power.

William Penn

Founder of Pennsylvania, a refuge for Quakers advocating for religious tolerance.

Quakers

A religious group known for their beliefs in equality and pacifism.

New Amsterdam

A Dutch settlement that later became New York, a major commercial hub.

New England Confederation (1643)

A military alliance of New England colonies formed for defense.

Royal Colony

A colony under the direct control of the monarchy.

Proprietary Colony

A colony granted by the king to an individual or group.

Corporate Colony

A colony established by a joint-stock company.

Georgia

The last of the 13 colonies to be founded, created as a buffer state.

Slave Trade

The forced migration of Africans to the Americas for slavery.

Growth of Population

Rapid population growth in the American colonies during the 18th century.

Colonial American Ideals

Foundations of American ideals, including individualism and self-government.

Self-Government

Localized systems developed by colonies despite British monarchy's ultimate authority.

Colonial Assemblies

Elected bodies that passed laws and managed finances in the colonies.

Religious Freedom

Varied tolerance across colonies, with some being more accepting of non-Christian faiths.

Social Mobility

Ability for individuals to improve their social status through hard work.

Family Life in the Colonies

Family structures based around farming and household duties.

Role of Women in Colonial Society

Limited political rights but central to family economy.

Economy of New England

Based on shipbuilding, fishing, and small-scale farming.

Economy of the Middle Colonies

Fertile soil and diverse labor, including some use of enslaved people.

Economy of the Southern Colonies

Relied on cash crops with large plantations and enslaved labor.

Money and Currency in the Colonies

Colonies primarily used British gold and silver.

The Enlightenment

A European intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individual rights.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating for natural rights and the right to revolt against unjust governance.

Natural Rights

Inalienable rights including life, liberty, and property, which governments must protect.

Great Awakening

A religious revival emphasizing emotional experiences of faith.

Jonathan Edwards

Preacher central to the Great Awakening, known for fiery sermons.

George Whitefield

Key figure in the Great Awakening known for emotional preaching.

New Lights vs. Old Lights

Division in the Protestant Church caused by differing worship styles.

Impact of the Great Awakening

Fostered a sense of unity and contributed to American identity.

Art and Literature in the Colonies

Influenced by Enlightenment and Great Awakening, contributing to American culture.

Education in the Colonies

Influenced by Enlightenment, broadening curriculum beyond religious instruction.

American Universities

Founded institutions like Princeton and Columbia based on Enlightenment principles.

Role of Education in Colonial Society

Initially focused on religious instruction, later expanded to literature and science.

Colonial Nationalism

Growing sense of distinct American identity in the 18th century.

Print Revolution

Spread of ideas through newspapers and pamphlets, enhancing colonial thought.

Enlightenment Thinkers in America

Figures like Benjamin Franklin who promoted scientific and rational thought.

Benjamin Franklin

Key figure in American Enlightenment known for contributions to science and civic life.

Seven Years' War (French & Indian War)

Conflict between Britain and France for control over North American territories.

Albany Plan of Union

Proposed unified colonial government for wartime efforts, rejected but set a precedent.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Ended the Seven Years' War, establishing British dominance in North America.

Proclamation of 1763

Prevented colonial expansion beyond the Appalachian Mountains.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

Uprising against British rule and expansion, led by Chief Pontiac.

Sugar Act (Revenue Act of 1764)

Taxed sugar and molasses in the colonies to raise revenue.

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonists to provide housing for British soldiers.

Stamp Act (1765)

Direct tax on legal documents, newspapers, leading to widespread protests.

Stamp Act Congress

Meeting of nine colonies petitioning for repeal of the Stamp Act.

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

Radical groups opposing British laws, organizing protests and boycotts.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Stated Parliament had the right to legislate and tax the colonies.

Townshend Acts (1767)

Laws imposing taxes on imported goods like tea and glass.

John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer

Essays arguing Townshend Acts were unconstitutional.

Circular Letter (1768)

Called for resistance to the Townshend Acts, widely circulated.

Boston Massacre (1770)

Confrontation leading to the deaths of five colonists, inflaming anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Protest against the Tea Act where colonists dumped tea into the harbor.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

Laws punishing colonies after the Boston Tea Party.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Meeting organizing colonial resistance to the Intolerable Acts.

Lexington and Concord (1775)

First battles of the American Revolution marked by the shot heard 'round the world.

Bunker Hill (1775)

Major early battle demonstrating colonial resolve despite British victory.

Second Continental Congress (1775)

Managed war efforts, created Continental Army, issued Olive Branch Petition.

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

Attempt to reconcile with King George III, rejected.

Common Sense (1776)

Pamphlet arguing for complete independence from Britain by Thomas Paine.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Document declaring colonies' independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

Patriots

Colonists supporting independence during the Revolutionary War.

Tories (Loyalists)

Colonists loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War.

French Alliance

France formally allied with the Patriots after the Battle of Saratoga.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

A pivotal American victory convincing France to ally with the Patriots.

Yorktown (1781)

Final battle of the Revolutionary War, leading to British surrender.