APUSH Unit 2

European Colonization

Process of European nations establishing settlements in the Americas for various motives and methods.

Spanish Colonization

Focused on extracting wealth through cash crops, gold, and silver, converting natives to Christianity, and implementing a caste system.

French Colonization

Emphasized trade over conquest, especially in fish and fur trade, with few settlers marrying Native Americans for economic partnerships.

Dutch Colonization

Established fur trading centers for economic gains, showed little interest in converting natives, and set up New Amsterdam for trade.

British Colonization

Motivated by economic opportunities, land expansion, religious freedom, and improved living conditions.

Jamestown

First British permanent colony in North America, financed by a joint stock company, initially focused on gold and silver mining.

Tobacco Cultivation

Revolutionized Jamestown's fortune, attracting investment and labor from indentured servants.

Indentured Servants

Labor system where individuals worked for a set period to pay for passage to the colonies.

Bacon's Rebellion

Uprising led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor Berkeley due to lack of protection from Native American raids.

New England Colonies

Settled by Pilgrims seeking religious freedom, established thriving agricultural and commercial economies.

British West Indies

Colonies in the Caribbean growing tobacco and later sugarcane, heavily reliant on African slave labor.

Mercantilism

Economic system focusing on accumulating wealth through favorable trade balances and colonial resources.

Navigation Acts

Laws requiring trade with English colonies and ships, contributing to the growth of the British Empire.

Triangular Trade

Trade route involving rum, enslaved people, and sugar cane between New England, West Africa, and the West Indies.

Slavery in British Colonies

Enslaved Africans forced into labor in export economies, perpetuated through strict slave codes and chattel slavery.

Stono Rebellion

Significant slave rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, showcasing resistance against the institution of slavery.

Metacom's War

Wampanoag chief led attacks against British in New England

Enlightenment

Movement emphasizing rational thinking over tradition and religious revelation

Natural Rights

Inborn rights from a creator, not government

Three Branches of Government

Legislative, executive, judicial for power balance

Social Contract

People give power to government for protection of natural rights

New Light Clergy

Christian ministers preaching against enlightenment's loss of faith

Great Awakening

Religious revival in colonies led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield

Anglicanization

Colonies becoming more English

Impressment

Seizing colonial men for forced service in the Royal Navy