APUSH Colonial America Study Guide

I. Colonial Regions: Economic, Social, and Political (ESP) Characteristics

New England Colonies

- Economic: Shipbuilding, fishing, lumber, trade

- Social: Puritan-dominated, emphasis on education

- Political: Town meetings, representative assemblies

Middle Colonies

- Economic: Diverse agriculture, manufacturing, trade

- Social: Diverse religions, ethnicities

- Political: Proprietary and royal colonies

Southern Colonies

- Economic: Cash crops (tobacco, rice, indigo), plantation system

- Social: Hierarchical, slavery-based society

- Political: House of Burgesses, county-based government

II. Key Figures

1. Anne Hutchinson: Challenged Puritan orthodoxy, advocated for religious freedom

2. William Penn: Founded Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers

3. Nathaniel Bacon: Led Bacon's Rebellion against Virginia's colonial government

4. Robert LaSalle: French explorer who claimed Louisiana Territory

5. John Smith: Early leader of Jamestown colony

6. King Philip (Metacom): Led Native American uprising against English colonists

7. John Locke: Enlightenment philosopher, influenced American political thought

8. Jonathan Edwards: Prominent preacher during the Great Awakening

9. George Whitefield: Revivalist preacher during the Great Awakening

10. Benjamin Franklin: Polymath, inventor, and founding father

III. Significant Events

1. Salem Witch Trials (1692-1693): Mass hysteria leading to executions in Salem, MA

2. Settlement Patterns:

- Spanish: Florida, Southwest

- French: Quebec, Louisiana Territory

- English: Atlantic coast

3. The Pequot War (1636-1638): Conflict between Pequot tribe and English colonists

4. The Mayflower Compact (1620): Early example of self-governance in Plymouth

5. The Great Awakening (1730s-1740s): Religious revival movement

6. Navigation Acts (1651-1696): English laws to control colonial trade

7. Pueblo Revolt (1680): Native American uprising against Spanish rule

8. King Philip's War (1675-1678): Major conflict between colonists and Native Americans

9. Stono Rebellion (1739): Slave uprising in South Carolina

IV. Important Concepts and Themes

1. Columbian Exchange: Transfer of plants, animals, culture, technology between Old and New Worlds

2. Mercantilism: Economic theory promoting colonization and trade regulation

3. The Albany Plan (1754): Early attempt at colonial unity proposed by Benjamin Franklin

4. Growth of Protestant Churches: Diversity of religious practices in the colonies

5. Indian Relations:

- Spanish: Encomienda system, forced labor

- French: Trade partnerships, intermarriage

- English: Initial trade, later conflict and displacement

6. Joint Stock Companies: Financed early colonial ventures (e.g., Virginia Company)

7. Slavery and Race: Development of racial justifications for slavery

8. The Middle Passage: Brutal journey of enslaved Africans to the Americas

9. Importance of Tobacco: Key cash crop driving the southern economy

10. Encomienda System: Spanish colonial labor system

11. Virginia Slave Codes: Laws establishing racial basis of slavery

V. Key Colonial Developments

1. Jamestown (1607): First permanent English settlement, tobacco economy

2. New Amsterdam: Dutch colony, later conquered by English and renamed New York (1664)

3. Boston: Center of Puritan culture and education

4. Philadelphia: Quaker-founded city, center of politics and trade

5. Charleston: Major southern port, center of slave trade

VI. Colonial Labor Systems

1. Indentured Servants: Contracted laborers, primarily in early colonial period

2. Slavery: Became dominant in southern colonies, especially after 1670s

3. Free Labor: More common in northern colonies and cities

VII. Colonial Conflicts and Rebellions

1. Bacon's Rebellion (1676): Uprising against Virginia's colonial government

2. King Philip's War (1675-1678): Major conflict with Native Americans in New England

3. Pueblo Revolt (1680): Native uprising against Spanish rule in Southwest

4. Stono Rebellion (1739): Slave uprising in South Carolina