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Who were the first Americans and how did they arrive?
Paleo-Indians; migrated from Asia over the Bering land bridge ~15,000–20,000 years ago.
2. Differences in Central & South American civilizations:
Aztecs: militaristic, tribute empire, Tenochtitlán.
Incas: Andean empire, roads, terraces, centralized rule.
Mayas: Yucatán, writing, math, astronomy.
3. Why did Europeans explore/settle the New World?
To gain wealth, spread Christianity, and compete for empire — “God, Gold, Glory.”
4. Role of religion in colonization:
Spain/France: Catholic missions; England: Protestant refuge (Puritans, Quakers). Religion both motivated settlement and justified empire.
5. How did Spain conquer/colonize?
Superior weapons, alliances with Native rivals, and devastating diseases. Used encomienda and missions to control labor and faith.
6. Spanish class system:
Peninsulares → Creoles → Mestizos/Mulattoes → Natives & Africans at bottom.
7. Differences in colonization:
Spain: conquest, Catholicism, extractive.
France: fur trade, alliances, small population.
England: permanent settlements, family migration, land hunger, self-rule.
8. Failed English attempts (1500s):
Roanoke (1580s) disappeared — the “Lost Colony.”
9. England becomes Protestant:
Henry VIII’s break from Catholic Church → Anglican Church; reinforced by Elizabeth I.
10. English political system pre-colonization:
Monarchy + Parliament, traditions of Magna Carta, common law, and local autonomy.
11. First permanent English colony? Why did it survive?
Jamestown (1607); survived with tobacco cultivation (John Rolfe), discipline (John Smith), and labor systems.
12. Differences in founding regions:
New England = religious motives; Middle = diverse, trade; Southern = profit, plantations.
13. Founding of specific colonies:
Plymouth (1620, Pilgrims).
Mass. Bay (1630, Puritans).
Maryland (Catholic refuge, Calverts).
Pennsylvania (William Penn, Quakers).
Georgia (Oglethorpe, buffer colony).
14. Did Puritans practice tolerance?
No — banished dissenters (e.g., Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson).
15. English–Native relations:
Early trade → later wars (Powhatan Wars, Pequot, King Philip’s War). Colonists pushed Natives off land.
16. Significance of Bacon’s Rebellion:
Revolt of poor settlers against elites; hastened shift from indentured servitude to African slavery.
17. Development of slavery:
Gradual shift from indentured labor to hereditary racial slavery in late 1600s; codified by slave codes.
18. Demographic changes in 18th century:
Huge population growth from natural increase + immigration; more diverse (Scots-Irish, Germans).
19. Life for women:
Patriarchal limits, domestic/farm labor; more stable family life in New England than Chesapeake.
20. Regional economic differences:
South = plantation crops/slavery; Middle = grains, commerce, diversity; New England = small farms, trade, shipping.
21. Slavery in 18th century:
Expanded via Middle Passage; codified restrictions; resistance (Stono Rebellion).
22. Enlightenment & Great Awakening impacts:
Enlightenment = reason, science, natural rights (Locke).
Great Awakening = emotional revival, personal salvation (Edwards, Whitefield). Both challenged authority.
23. British vs. French administration (pre-1763):
Britain: salutary neglect, local assemblies powerful.
France: centralized, crown-controlled, fewer settlers.
24. Causes of French & Indian War:
Competition over Ohio River Valley; Britain vs. France + Native allies.
25. British preparedness:
Initially poor — traditional tactics failed, underestimated frontier warfare.
26. Issues after war (for Britain):
Debt, need to manage new territory, Native resistance (Pontiac’s Rebellion).
27. Direct vs. indirect taxation:
Direct = internal (Stamp Act); Indirect = external trade (Sugar Act).
28. Colonial reaction to direct taxes:
Protests, boycotts, Stamp Act Congress, Sons of Liberty.
29. Causes of Revolution:
Loss of salutary neglect, taxation without representation, military presence, Enlightenment ideals.
30. Challenges before war:
Americans: poorly supplied, untrained. Britain: long supply lines, underestimated colonists.
31. Major battles:
Lexington/Concord, Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Yorktown.
32. Key turning points:
Saratoga (French alliance), Valley Forge survival, Yorktown victory.
33. Why Americans won:
French aid, Washington’s leadership, home advantage, British fatigue.
34. Revolution as civil war?
Yes — divided between Patriots and Loyalists; internal conflict.
35. Political/social changes after Revolution:
Republican ideology, new constitutions, more participation for white men. Exclusions remained (women, slaves, Natives).
36. Problems with Articles of Confederation:
Weak central gov’t — no power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.
37. Impact on marginalized groups:
Slaves: some freed, but slavery continued.
Women: role in “Republican Motherhood,” no political rights.
Natives: lost land and autonomy as U.S. expanded.