APUSH Period 2

Africans

Enslaved people brought primarily to the Southern colonies through the transatlantic slave trade. They formed the foundation of the plantation economy, especially in crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo.

Benjamin Franklin

– Colonial intellectual, inventor, and writer. Published Poor Richard’s Almanack, founded libraries and the University of Philadelphia, and was a leading figure in the Enlightenment in America.

Cotton Mather

– A Puritan minister in Massachusetts, author, and supporter of the Salem witch trials. Also promoted smallpox inoculation and spread religious writings.

Dutch

Settlers in New Netherland (later New York), influential in trade, commerce, and religious toleration.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement that stressed reason, science, and natural rights. Influenced American leaders like Jefferson and Franklin; tied to John Locke’s ideas of government by consent.

George Whitefield

English preacher whose emotional sermons spread the Great Awakening throughout the colonies, emphasizing personal conversion and emotional faith.

Germans

Large immigrant group that settled in Pennsylvania; primarily Protestant farmers who preserved their language and culture.

Great awakening

Religious revival in the 1730s–1740s that emphasized emotional sermons and individual connection with God. Divided churches into “New Lights” (revival supporters) and “Old Lights” (traditionalists).

Harvard

First college in America, founded in 1636 in Massachusetts to train Puritan ministers.

John Peter; Zenger case

A New York publisher tried for criticizing the governor. His acquittal (1735) helped establish the principle of freedom of the press.

John locke; Two treaties of Government

English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that government exists with the consent of the governed. Influential on the Declaration of Independence.

Jonathan Edwards

A Puritan minister and key Great Awakening preacher. Famous for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which emphasized God’s power and human sinfulness.

New lights

Ministers and believers who supported the Great Awakening, favoring emotional preaching and a personal relationship with God.

Old lights

Traditional clergy and church members who opposed the Great Awakening, preferring established rituals and authority.

Phillis Wheatley

First African American woman poet to be published. Her work demonstrated intellectual equality and challenged racist assumptions.

Poor richard’s almanack

Popular yearly publication by Benjamin Franklin (1732–1757) that offered advice, proverbs, and practical wisdom.

Scotch-Irish

Immigrants from Northern Ireland (of Scottish descent). Settled mainly in the Appalachian frontier; known for independence and resistance to British authority.

University of Philadelphia

Founded by Benjamin Franklin; emphasized secular and practical education, unlike older religious colleges.

William and Mary

College founded in 1693 in Virginia to train Anglican clergy and later political leaders.

Economies: New England

• Based on shipbuilding, fishing, trade, and small-scale farming; limited slavery.

Economies: Middle colonies

• “Breadbasket colonies,” producing wheat and corn; diverse population; mix of farming and trade.

Economies: Southern Colonies

• Plantation-based economy with cash crops (tobacco, rice, indigo); relied heavily on slave labor.