APUSH Summer ID definitions

John Smith

• An English explorer and leader of the Jamestown colony in the early 17th Century.

• He played a crucial role with establishing Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America.

• Was also known for his relationship with Pocahontas.

• He explored and mapped Chesapeake Bay.

• He was controversial for his treatment of the Natives and his self-promotion.

Roger Williams

• He founded Rhode Island and advocated for religious freedom.

• He was a Puritan minister who believed that the church and state should be separated.

• The church was strict at the time, and he established Providence in 1636 for religious freedom for all.

• He was welcoming to those with differing religious beliefs, and was fair with the Natives.

Thomas Paine

• Was most known for writing Common Sense, which advocated for American independence from Britain during the revolutionary war.

• The pamphlet challenged the authority of the British monarchy.

• It had Enlightenment ideals, and emphasized natural rights and self government.

• This was the biggest reason why the colonists decided to break away from Britain.

John Rolfe

• He established tobacco as a cash crop in the Virginia colony, and marrying Pocahontas

• This introduction of tobacco saved the colony from economic ruin.

• His marriage with Pocahontas improved relations with the Powhatans.

Anne Hutchinson

• She challenged gender and religious norms in Massachusetts.

• She questioned puritan teachings, and believed that people should communicate with God directly, rather than through ministers.

• Her actions led her to banishment in the colony.

Alexander Hamilton

• He established the nation’s financial system and advocated for a strong federal government.

• He was the first secretary of treasury under George Washington, and developed a financial plan that included state debts, creating a national bank, and manufacturing.

• He co-authored “The Federalist Papers”, which was important for the ratification of the U.S Constitution.

• His political views clashed with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, so the first political parties were formed.

William Bradford

• He was the leader of the pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower and established Plymouth Colony in 1620.

• He served as the colony’s governor for over 30 years, which was crucial for their survival.

• He was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, an agreement among the Pilgrims to establish a form of self-governance in the new colony. 

• He also wrote “Of Plymouth Plantation”, which was a historical account of their life back then.

William Penn

• He was the founder of Pennsylvania, which was a colony for the Quakers, a group who emphasized religious freedom and tolerance.

• He was also fair to the Natives, and aimed for peaceful relations.

• His vision for Pennsylvania was a “Holy Experiment”.

John Jay

• He was a Founding Father, a key author of The Federalist Papers, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and involved in negotiating the Jay Treaty. 

• He co-authored the Federalist papers with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

• The Jay Treaty discussed issues like British evacuation of western forts and payment for seized American ships.

John Winthrop

• He was the first governor of the Massachusetts bay colony, and shaped the colony’s early development.

• He was a prominent Puritan leader who immigrated to Massachusetts with the goal of establishing a religiously pure society. 

• His sermon, "A Model of Christian Charity," articulated the idea that the Massachusetts Bay Colony should serve as an example of righteousness and virtue for the world. 

Samuel Adams

• He formed groups such as the Sons of Liberty, the Committees of Correspondence, and was important to the Boston Tea Party.

• He was a key figure in the American Revolution, known for his organizational skills, political philosophy, and fiery rhetoric.

• He was a driving force behind colonial resistance to British policies, particularly the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts.

James Madison

• He was often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his significant role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

• He was the fourth President of the United States (1809-1817), notably during the War of 1812. 

• He proposed many of the ideas for the Constitution.

• He drafted the initial version of the Bill of Rights,

• He founded the Federalist party

• His work contributed to the rise of Nationalism