Period 2 & Period 3 review

PERIOD 2: 1607–1754

Theme: Colonization and the emergence of British dominance in North America

This period focuses on European colonization, interactions with Native Americans, and the development of regional identities in the colonies.

Key Ideas:

1. European Colonization:

   • Spanish: Focused on converting Native Americans and extracting wealth. Used the encomienda system and harsh labor practices.

   • French and Dutch: Focused on trade alliances (e.g., fur trade) and intermarriage with Native Americans.

   • English: Settled permanently, brought families, and had tense relations with Native Americans.

2. Regional Differences:

   • New England Colonies (e.g., Massachusetts Bay): Founded for religious freedom (Pilgrims, Puritans). Focused on small farms, family life, and trade.

     • Example: John Winthrop’s "City Upon a Hill" (1630).

   • Middle Colonies (e.g., Pennsylvania, New York): Diverse in population and religion; economy based on farming and commerce.

     • Example: Quakers in Pennsylvania under William Penn promoted religious tolerance.

   • Chesapeake/Southern Colonies (e.g., Virginia, South Carolina): Plantation economies relying on tobacco (cash crop), indentured servitude, and African slavery.

     • Example: Jamestown (1607), House of Burgesses (1619), Bacon’s Rebellion (1676).

3. Labor Systems:

   • Indentured Servants: European workers agreed to work for passage to the colonies.

   • African Slavery: Shifted to enslaved Africans after Bacon’s Rebellion exposed weaknesses of indentured servitude.

   • Triangular Trade: Exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

4. Relations with Native Americans:

   • Tensions and conflicts increased as settlers expanded.

   • Examples: Pequot War (1636–1637), King Philip’s War (1675–1676).

5. Salutary Neglect & Self-Government:

   • Salutary Neglect: Britain largely allowed colonies to self-govern, leading to the growth of assemblies like the House of Burgesses and town meetings.

6. Great Awakening (1730s–1740s):

   • Religious revival emphasizing individual faith and emotional sermons.

   • Leaders: Jonathan Edwards (“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”) and George Whitefield.

   • Significance: Promoted egalitarian ideas, contributed to the American identity.

Key Events to Remember:

• 1607: Founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony.

• 1619: House of Burgesses (first representative assembly) and first African slaves arrive.

• 1620: Pilgrims sign the Mayflower Compact, an early form of self-government.

• 1676: Bacon’s Rebellion exposes class tensions.

• 1730s–1740s: First Great Awakening transforms religious life in colonies.

PERIOD 3: 1754–1800

Theme: The American Revolution, Constitution, and Early Republic

This period focuses on the causes of the American Revolution, independence, the new U.S. Constitution, and political, social, and economic developments.

Key Ideas:

1. Causes of the American Revolution:

   • French and Indian War (1754–1763):

     • Britain’s victory in the war led to debt and the end of salutary neglect.

     • Proclamation of 1763: Limited colonial expansion westward to appease Native Americans, angering colonists.

   • British Taxation and Policies:

     • Sugar Act (1764), Stamp Act (1765), Townshend Acts (1767).

     • Colonists protested “no taxation without representation” and used boycotts, committees of correspondence, and pamphlets (e.g., Thomas Paine’s Common Sense).

   • Boston Massacre (1770): Increased anti-British sentiment.

   • Boston Tea Party (1773): Led to the Intolerable Acts (1774).

2. Revolutionary War (1775–1783):

   • Key Events:

     • Lexington and Concord (1775): First battles of the war.

     • Declaration of Independence (1776): Drafted by Jefferson; justified independence.

     • Battle of Saratoga (1777): Turning point—secured French support.

     • Battle of Yorktown (1781): British surrendered.

   • Treaty of Paris (1783): Officially ended the war, recognized U.S. independence, and set boundaries.

3. The Articles of Confederation (1781–1789):

   • Weak national government (no executive, no power to tax).

   • Success: Northwest Ordinance of 1787—established rules for statehood.

   • Weaknesses exposed by Shays’ Rebellion (1786), showing the need for a stronger central government.

4. The Constitution (1787):

   • Compromises:

     • Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature (Senate + House of Representatives).

     • 3/5 Compromise: Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation.

   • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists:

     • Federalists supported the Constitution; Anti-Federalists demanded a Bill of Rights.

   • Ratified in 1789 with the Bill of Rights added in 1791.

5. Washington’s Presidency (1789–1797):

   • Hamilton’s Financial Plan: National bank, assumption of state debts, tariffs.

   • Neutrality Proclamation (1793): Avoided European wars.

   • Whiskey Rebellion (1794): Showed federal power.

6. Political Parties Develop:

   • Federalists (Hamilton): Strong central government, pro-British, loose interpretation of Constitution.

   • Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson): States’ rights, pro-French, strict interpretation.

7. John Adams’ Presidency (1797–1801):

   • XYZ Affair (1797): Quasi-War with France.

   • Alien and Sedition Acts (1798): Limited free speech and targeted immigrants.

   • Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions: Argued states could nullify federal laws.

Key Events to Remember:

• 1754–1763: French and Indian War

• 1765: Stamp Act Crisis

• 1775: Lexington and Concord (start of the Revolution)

• 1776: Declaration of Independence

• 1781: Articles of Confederation ratified

• 1783: Treaty of Paris ends Revolutionary War

• 1787: Constitutional Convention drafts U.S. Constitution

• 1791: Bill of Rights added

• 1794: Whiskey Rebellion

• 1798: Alien and Sedition Acts

Summary of Key Themes:

1. Colonial Identity and Conflicts (Period 2)

2. Revolutionary Ideals and War (Period 3)

3. Government Formation and Early Challenges