APUSH Midterm Review

Mercantilism

An economic theory emphasizing the accumulation of wealth and resources through a favorable balance of trade, particularly by colonies providing raw materials to their mother countries.

Historical Significance of Mercantilism

Shaped European colonial policies and intensified competition for colonial possessions.

Columbian Exchange

The transatlantic exchange of crops, animals, technology, culture, and diseases between the Americas, Europe, and Africa following the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.

Historical Significance of the Columbian Exchange

Drastically transformed societies through population changes, agricultural shifts, and cultural exchanges.

Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic under Spanish sponsorship, initiating European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Historical Significance of Christopher Columbus

His voyages marked the beginning of sustained European interaction with the Americas.

Pueblo Revolt (1680)

A rebellion by the Pueblo people against Spanish colonization and religious oppression in present-day New Mexico.

Historical Significance of the Pueblo Revolt

Temporarily drove the Spanish out and showcased resistance to European domination.

Anasazi

Ancient Native American culture in the Southwest known for building cliff dwellings and pueblos.

Historical Significance of Anasazi

Demonstrates early adaptation to arid environments.

Encomienda System

Spanish labor system granting colonists the right to demand tribute and forced labor from Indigenous people in exchange for supposed protection and Christianization.

Historical Significance of the Encomienda System

Exploited Indigenous labor and resources, leading to significant social and demographic changes.

Bartolome De Las Casas

Spanish priest and advocate for Native American rights who criticized the encomienda system.

Historical Significance of Bartolome De Las Casas

Influenced reforms like the New Laws of 1542.

Iroquois Confederacy

A powerful alliance of six Native American tribes in the northeastern United States.

Historical Significance of the Iroquois Confederacy

Played a strategic role in colonial alliances and conflicts.

Spanish/Dutch/French/English Settlement

European powers established colonies with distinct goals and interactions with Native Americans.

Historical Significance of Spanish/Dutch/French/English Settlement

Differing approaches led to varying degrees of cooperation and conflict with Indigenous peoples.

Virginia Company

A joint-stock company that established Jamestown in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in America.

Historical Significance of the Virginia Company

Played a key role in early colonial development.

Chesapeake Colonies

Maryland and Virginia, characterized by tobacco cultivation and reliance on indentured servants and enslaved Africans.

Historical Significance of Chesapeake Colonies

Economic and social structures shaped by plantation agriculture.

Middle Colonies

Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware; known for diverse populations and mixed economies.

Historical Significance of Middle Colonies

Served as a bridge between northern and southern colonies.

Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in 1607.

Historical Significance of Jamestown

Marked the beginning of English colonization in America.

Powhatan

Leader of the Powhatan Confederacy; initially helped the Jamestown settlers.

Historical Significance of Powhatan

His interactions reflect early Native and English relations.

Cash Crops (tobacco, etc.)

High-value crops grown primarily for sale rather than subsistence.

Historical Significance of Cash Crops

Central to the economic success of colonies like Virginia.

Indentured Servants

Laborers who worked for a set period in exchange for passage to America.

Historical Significance of Indentured Servants

Preceded the transition to racialized slavery.

New England Colonies

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire; characterized by small farms, religious focus, and communal living.

Historical Significance of New England Colonies

Played a key role in the cultural and political foundations of America.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement by the Pilgrims in 1620 to govern themselves through majority rule.

Historical Significance of Mayflower Compact

Early form of self-government in the colonies.

William Bradford

Leader of the Pilgrims and governor of Plymouth Colony.

Historical Significance of William Bradford

Helped establish successful governance.

John Winthrop

Leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for envisioning the 'City upon a Hill'.

Historical Significance of John Winthrop

Symbolized the Puritan vision for a model Christian society.

‘City upon a hill’

John Winthrop’s vision of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a model society.

Historical Significance of ‘City upon a hill’

Reflects Puritan ideals and colonial aspirations.

Pequot War

Conflict between New England colonists and the Pequot tribe in 1637.

Historical Significance of Pequot War

Demonstrated violent tensions between settlers and Native Americans.

Thomas Hooker

Founder of Connecticut and advocate for expanded voting rights.

Historical Significance of Thomas Hooker

Promoted early democratic principles.

Roger Williams

Advocate for religious freedom and founder of Rhode Island.

Historical Significance of Roger Williams

Influenced the development of separation of church and state.

Anne Hutchinson

Challenged Puritan leaders; expelled to Rhode Island.

Historical Significance of Anne Hutchinson

Early advocate for religious and gender equality.

King Philip’s War

Conflict between New England colonists and Native Americans (1675-1678).

Historical Significance of King Philip’s War

Devastated Native populations and reduced resistance.

Virginia House of Burgesses

The first representative assembly in the American colonies.

Historical Significance of Virginia House of Burgesses

Early example of self-government.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Uprising of Virginia settlers in 1676 against colonial leaders.

Historical Significance of Bacon’s Rebellion

Exposed tensions between social classes and colonial policies.

King William’s War

Conflict between England and France in North America (1689-1697).

Historical Significance of King William’s War

Early instance of colonial involvement in European wars.

Triangle Trade

A system of trade connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Historical Significance of Triangle Trade

Spread goods, enslaved people, and cultural exchanges across continents.

Middle Passage

The horrific journey enslaved Africans endured to the Americas.

Historical Significance of Middle Passage

Symbolizes the brutal realities of slavery.

Stono Rebellion

A slave revolt in South Carolina in 1739.

Historical Significance of Stono Rebellion

Led to stricter slave laws.

Navigation Acts

British laws regulating colonial trade to benefit the mother country.

Historical Significance of Navigation Acts

Contributed to colonial dissatisfaction.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of loosely enforcing colonial laws.

Historical Significance of Salutary Neglect

Allowed colonial self-governance to flourish.

Albany Plan of Union

A 1754 proposal by Benjamin Franklin to create a unified government for the 13 colonies.

Historical Significance of Albany Plan of Union

First formal suggestion of colonial unity; laid groundwork for later unification during the Revolution.

French and Indian War

A conflict (1754–1763) between Britain and France over North American territory, involving Native American alliances.

Historical Significance of French and Indian War

Led to British dominance in North America but created debt that spurred taxation of the colonies.

Proclamation of 1763

British edict forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Historical Significance of Proclamation of 1763

Angered colonists eager to expand, fueling tensions with Britain.

John Peter Zenger

A colonial printer tried for libel in 1735 who argued for freedom of the press.

Historical Significance of John Peter Zenger

His case established a precedent for free speech in America.

Stamp Act

1765 British tax on printed materials in the colonies.

Historical Significance of Stamp Act

Provoked widespread colonial resistance and the rallying cry of 'no taxation without representation.'

Republican Motherhood

The belief that women should educate children in civic virtue and republican ideals.

Historical Significance of Republican Motherhood

Elevated women's roles as guardians of republican values.

Stamp Act Congress

A 1765 meeting of delegates from nine colonies to oppose the Stamp Act.

Historical Significance of Stamp Act Congress

Demonstrated colonial unity and resistance to British policies.

Sons of Liberty

A radical group of colonists opposing British taxation, known for organizing protests like the Boston Tea Party.

Historical Significance of Sons of Liberty

Played a key role in mobilizing resistance.

Declaratory Act

1766 British law asserting Parliament's authority over the colonies.

Historical Significance of Declaratory Act

Reinforced tensions despite the repeal of the Stamp Act.

Townshend Acts

1767 British taxes on imports like glass, tea, and paper.

Historical Significance of Townshend Acts

Increased colonial resentment and spurred boycotts.

Benjamin Franklin

Founding Father, diplomat, and advocate for colonial unity.

Historical Significance of Benjamin Franklin

Key figure in the Albany Plan, diplomacy during the Revolution, and the Constitutional Convention.

Boston Massacre

A 1770 confrontation where British soldiers killed five colonists.

Historical Significance of Boston Massacre

Used as propaganda to fuel anti-British sentiment.

Tea Act

1773 law allowing the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies, undercutting local merchants.

Historical Significance of Tea Act

Sparked the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor.

Historical Significance of Boston Tea Party

Provoked the Intolerable Acts and escalated tensions.

Intolerable Acts

1774 punitive laws passed after the Boston Tea Party.

Historical Significance of Intolerable Acts

United colonies against Britain and led to the First Continental Congress.

1st Continental Congress

A 1774 meeting of delegates from 12 colonies to respond to British policies.

Historical Significance of 1st Continental Congress

Coordinated colonial resistance and laid groundwork for independence.