AP US History Unit 2 Review: European Colonization (1607-1754)

Flashcards reviewing Unit 2 of AP US History, focusing on European colonization of the Americas from 1607 to 1754.

Conquistador

Spanish conquerors in the Americas who sought to extract wealth, convert the native population to Christianity, and establish a caste system based on racial ancestry.

French Colonization

Focused primarily on trade (fish and fur), established trading settlements, and fostered alliances with American Indians through trade and sometimes marriage.

Dutch Colonization

Mainly economic goals, focusing on fur trading. Established a trading center on the Hudson River (New Amsterdam) and showed little interest in converting natives to Christianity.

British Colonization motivations

Driven by economic opportunities, religious freedom, and improved living conditions due to economic hardship in Britain (inflation, enclosure movement, wars).

Joint-Stock Company

A private business entity where investors pool money to finance colonial ventures, sharing profits when successful (e.g., Jamestown).

Indentured Servants

Individuals who couldn't afford passage to the New World and agreed to work for a set period (usually seven years) in exchange for their passage being paid.

Bacon's Rebellion

A revolt led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley due to the governor's refusal to protect settlers from Indian attacks; led to increased reliance on African slavery.

Triangular Trade

A three-part trade route: New England merchants carried rum to West Africa, traded it for enslaved people, who were then transported to the West Indies for sugar cane, which was then brought back to New England.

Mercantilism

Economic system where wealth is measured by gold and silver, and each state aims to gain as much wealth as possible by maintaining a favorable balance of trade (more exports than imports).

Navigation Acts

British laws requiring merchants to trade with English colonies on English ships, with certain valuable items passing exclusively through British ports for taxation.

Stono Rebellion

A slave rebellion in South Carolina in 1739 where slaves stole weapons, killed store owners, and marched toward freedom, but were eventually suppressed by the militia.

Metacom's War (King Philip's War)

Conflict in 1675 led by Metacom (King Philip) who allied with other Indian groups to resist British encroachment on their ancestral lands. It resulted in attacks on white settlements until Metacom was killed.

The Enlightenment

A movement that emphasized rational thinking and undermined scriptural and religious authority. Introduced ideas of natural rights, social contract, and separation of powers.

The Great Awakening

A religious revival that swept through the colonies, generating intense Christian enthusiasm and democratic religious principles led by figures such as Johnathan Edwards and George Whitefield.

impressment

The British practice of seizing colonial men and forcing them to serve in the Royal Navy, leading to colonial resistance.