AP U.S. History Vocab Period 2 (1607-1754)

Full AMSCO Vocab for Period 2

John Cabot (2.2)

Italian explorer who sailed for England and claimed North American territory (1497). Significance: Gave England its first territorial claim in North America

Joint-stock company (2.2 / 2.3)

A business where investors pool money to fund colonies and share profits/losses. Significance: Made colonization financially possible for England.

Act of Toleration (2.3)

Maryland law (1649) granting religious freedom to all Christians. Significance: Early step toward religious freedom in America

Roger Williams (2.3)

Puritan minister who founded Rhode Island after being banished from Massachusetts. Significance: Established one of the first truly tolerant colonies.

Anne Hutchinson (2.3)

Puritan dissenter who challenged church authority in Massachusetts and founded Portsmouth, R.I. Significance: Example of early resistance to Puritan orthodoxy and push for religious freedom.

Halfway Covenant (2.3)

Puritan church policy (1662) allowing partial church membership for children of members. Significance: Reflected the waning Puritan influence and the attempt to maintain church authority.

Quakers (2.3)

Religious group advocating equality, pacifism, and direct relationship with God. Significance: Pushed ideals of religious tolerance and social equality

William Penn (2.3)

Quaker founder of Pennsylvania. Significance: Created one of the most diverse and tolerant colonies

Holy Experiment (2.3)

Penn’s plan for Pennsylvania as a religiously tolerant, self-governing colony. Significance: Model of religious liberty and democratic governance.

Charter of Liberties (1701) (2.3)

Pennsylvania’s constitution guaranteeing freedoms and representative assembly. Significance: Advanced principles of self-government in the colonies

Jamestown (2.3)

First permanent English settlement in North America (1607). Significance: Beginning of permanent English colonization.

Captain John Smith (2.3)

Leader who helped Jamestown survive its early years. Significance: His leadership saved Jamestown from collapse.

John Rolfe (2.3)

Jamestown settler who developed profitable tobacco cultivation (married pocahontas). Significance: Made Virginia economically successful and dependent on labor

Plymouth Colony (2.3)

Colony founded by Pilgrims (1620) seeking religious freedom, harsh winters, Thanksgiving. Significance: Early example of self-government and religious motivation for settlement.

Separatists (2.3)

Radical Puritans who wanted complete separation from Church of England. Significance: Motivated religious-based colonization

Pilgrims (2.3)

Separatists who founded Plymouth in 1620. Significance: Established a lasting example of religious freedom and self-rule.

Mayflower (2.3)

Ship that carried the Pilgrims to America. Significance: Symbol of religious migration and self-governance.

Massachusetts Bay Colony (2.3)

Colony founded in 1630 by Puritans under John Winthrop. Significance: Shaped New England’s culture and governance

Puritans (2.3)

Reformers who wanted to reform/purify the Church of England. Significance: Central to New England’s religious and cultural identity.

John Winthrop (2.3)

Puritan leader and governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Significance: Shaped Puritan society and ideals of moral leadership

Great Migration (2.3)

Mass movement of Puritans to Massachusetts Bay (1630s). Significance: Established Puritan dominance in New England.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (2.3)

Early constitution for Connecticut (1639). Significance: First written constitution in America, advancing democracy.

Virginia House of Burgesses (2.3)

First elected assembly in America (1619). Significance: First example of colonial self-government.

Mayflower Compact (2.3)

Agreement by Pilgrims to govern themselves by majority rule (1620). Significance: First written framework for self-government in America

Corporate colonies (2.3)

Colonies governed by joint-stock companies. Significance: Reflected private enterprise’s role in colonization.

Royal colonies (2.3)

Colonies under direct control of the king. Significance: Increased royal authority in colonies.

Proprietary colonies (2.3)

Colonies granted to individuals by the crown. Significance: Gave individuals power to govern as proprietors.

Virginia Company (2.3)

Joint-stock company that founded Jamestown. Significance: First successful corporate-backed colonization.

Chesapeake colonies (2.3)

Colonies of Virginia and Maryland. Significance: Became the foundation of plantation economy and slavery.

Triangular trade (2.4)

Trade system linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Significance: Fueled slavery and colonial economies.

Mercantilism (2.4)

Economic system where colonies exist to enrich the mother country. Wealth = exports > imports. Significance: Guided English colonial policies.

Navigation Acts (2.4)

English laws restricting colonial trade to benefit England. Significance: Enforced mercantilism, caused colonial resentment.

Dominion of New England (2.4)

Super-colony combining several colonies under royal governor Andros (1686–1689). Significance: Example of failed attempt at central royal control.

King Philip’s War (2.5)

Conflict between New England colonists and Native leader Metacom (1675–1676). Significance: Ended major Native resistance in New England.

Sir William Berkeley (2.5)

Governor of Virginia during Bacon’s Rebellion. Significance: His policies sparked rebellion, highlighting class tensions.

Bacon’s Rebellion (2.5)

1676 uprising of frontier farmers against Virginia government. Significance: Revealed class tensions and encouraged shift to African slavery.

New England Confederation (2.5)

Military alliance of New England colonies (1643). Significance: Early step toward colonial cooperation.

Indentured servants (2.6)

Laborers who worked for a set time in exchange for passage to America. Significance: Main labor source before African slavery.

Headright system (2.6)

Land grant system to attract settlers. Significance: Encouraged settlement and growth of plantation economy.

Middle Passage (2.6)

Brutal voyage of enslaved Africans to Americas. Significance: Represents cruelty of slavery and racial labor system.

Great Awakening (2.7)

Religious revival in colonies (1730s–1740s).Significance: United colonies, challenged church authority, and encouraged democratic ideas.

Sectarian (2.7)

Religious groups tied to specific denominations. Ex. Puritans in Massachusetts and Quakers in Pennsylvania. Significance: Highlighted religious divisions in colonial society.

Subsistence farming (2.7)

Farming only enough for a family’s needs. Significance: Shaped economy and society of northern colonies.

Hereditary aristocracy (2.7)

Rigid class system based on inherited titles. Significance: Helped create a more egalitarian society in America.

John Peter Zenger (2.7)

New York printer tried for criticizing governor (1735). Significance: Landmark case for freedom of the press

Enlightenment (2.7)

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and natural rights. Significance: Inspired American Revolution and democratic ideals.

Town meetings (2.7)

Local assemblies where citizens discussed and voted on issues. Significance: Encouraged tradition of self-government in America.