# Cram Study Guide
## Pre-European North American Societies
1. **Mississippian Culture**
- Lived in the Mississippi River Valley.
- Known for constructing large, earthen mounds and having a complex, hierarchical society.
2. **Iroquois Confederacy**
- Located in the northeastern woodlands.
- Consisted of five (later six) tribes, known for their matrilineal society and the political system of the Great Law of Peace.
## “Do Glaciers Listen?”
- The phrase refers to the impact of environmental changes on human societies and how human activities are affected by natural phenomena like glaciers. It suggests a dynamic relationship between nature and human culture.
## Mesoamerican Reverence for Astronomers
- Mesoamericans revered astronomers for their ability to predict celestial events, which were crucial for agricultural cycles and religious ceremonies. Astronomers held significant power due to their knowledge.
## Mesoamerican Empires
1. **Maya**
- Known for their advanced writing system, mathematics, and astronomical knowledge.
2. **Aztec**
- Renowned for their massive capital, Tenochtitlan, and their powerful empire in central Mexico.
## West African Nations Prior to 1492
1. **Mali Empire**
- Famous for its wealth, particularly under Mansa Musa, and its vibrant trade networks.
2. **Songhai Empire**
- Known for its control of trans-Saharan trade and its capital, Gao, as a center of learning and culture.
## Commercial Revolution and Nation States
- The Commercial Revolution involved increased trade and the rise of banking and joint-stock companies, which led to the accumulation of wealth and the centralization of power, fostering the development of nation-states in Europe.
## First European Nation State to Colonize America
- **Spain** was the first to establish colonies in America, starting with Christopher Columbus's voyages in 1492.
## Non-Human Environmental Factors in Colonization
1. **Disease**
- Indigenous populations were decimated by diseases like smallpox brought by Europeans.
2. **Climate**
- The Little Ice Age impacted agricultural productivity and settlement patterns.
## Jamestown Colony
- Established in 1607 by the Virginia Company.
- Goals included searching for gold and establishing trade routes.
- Characterized by harsh conditions, high mortality rates, and eventual success with tobacco cultivation.
## New England Puritans
- Mission: To create a "city upon a hill," a model of religious virtue and piety.
- Theology: Predestination, the importance of a covenant community, and strict moral codes.
## John Winthrop’s ‘City on a Hill’
- John Winthrop envisioned the Puritan colony as a model of Christian charity and righteousness that would inspire others and demonstrate God's favor.
## Non-Warfare European & Indian Interactions
1. **Trade**
- Exchange of goods like furs and European manufactured items.
2. **Alliances**
- Formed for mutual defense and economic benefit.
3. **Intermarriage**
- Led to cultural exchanges and mixed communities.
## African vs. American Slavery
- African slavery often involved captives from wars, debtors, or criminals and was generally not hereditary.
- American slavery was racial, hereditary, and brutal, focusing on lifelong bondage and dehumanization.
## Changes in Puritan Theology on the Frontier
- Puritan theology became more individualistic and less strict as it spread to the frontier, adapting to the challenges of frontier life and contact with diverse cultures.
## Royal African Company
- In the 1700s, it had a monopoly on the British slave trade, facilitating the transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas and significantly impacting the British economy.
## Seven Years War Consequences
- Britain gained vast territories in North America.
- The war debt led to increased taxation of American colonies, fueling discontent and eventual revolution.
## Factors for American Independence
1. **Taxation Without Representation**
- Colonists resented taxes imposed by a distant parliament without their consent.
2. **British Military Actions**
- Events like the Boston Massacre and harsh measures like the Intolerable Acts.
## Reconquista’s Impact on Spanish Conquest
- The Reconquista fostered a militant Catholicism and a mindset of conquest and conversion, influencing Spanish approaches in the New World.
## Bartolome de Las Casas’ Argument
- De Las Casas argued that Spain's treatment of indigenous people was inhumane and advocated for their rights and better treatment.
## John Smith’s Narrative of Pocahontas
- Revealed aspects of Powhatan culture, such as political alliances, kinship, and the complexity of Native American societies.
## Social Changes from the Great Puritan Migration
- Led to the establishment of a new, religiously motivated society in New England with significant impacts on local governance, community structure, and relations with Native Americans.
## Roger Williams & Anne Hutchinson
- Their narratives reveal the strictness and intolerance of dissent within Puritan culture, leading to their banishments and the founding of more tolerant colonies.
## Bacon’s Rebellion Causes and Consequences
- Caused by frontier settlers' frustrations with colonial government policies and lack of protection from Native American attacks.
- Resulted in increased tensions between wealthy planters and poorer settlers, and a shift towards African slavery.
## Phillis Wheatley’s Poetry
- Challenged Anglo views by demonstrating the intellectual capabilities and humanity of African Americans, contributing to anti-slavery sentiments.
## Jonathan Edwards’ “Sense of the Heart”
- Described a deep, personal experience of God’s grace and presence, emphasizing emotional and spiritual transformation.
## George Whitfield’s Revivals
- His evangelical revivals democratized religion, appealing to marginalized groups and fostering a sense of equality and personal empowerment.
## Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
- Galvanized American public opinion in favor of independence with its clear arguments against monarchy and for self-governance.
## Mercantilism and Colonial Conflict
- Mercantilism’s emphasis on accumulating wealth through colonies led to restrictive trade policies, causing resentment and economic strain in the colonies.
## Columbian Exchange Transformations
- Brought new crops and livestock to Europe and the Americas, transforming diets and agricultural practices, but also led to the spread of diseases.
## Great Awakening’s Impact on Identity
- Fostered a sense of shared American identity, as colonists experienced a religious revival that emphasized personal faith and questioned traditional authority.
## Charles Woodmason’s “Mixed Medley”
- Described the diverse and often unruly nature of Carolina frontiersmen, reflecting the challenges of colonial governance and social order.
## Anglo/Indian Trade Impact
- Altered Native societies, introducing new goods and dependencies, but also creating new economic opportunities and alliances.
## Virginia Resolves Argument
- Asserted that only the Virginia Assembly had the right to tax Virginians, challenging Parliament’s authority and laying groundwork for revolutionary thought.
## Parliament’s Response to Non-importation
- Attempts to suppress colonial resistance through punitive measures only fueled further discontent and unified the colonies against Britain.
## Stono Rebellion Insights
- Revealed the harsh conditions and resistance of enslaved Africans, highlighting the brutality of American slavery and the desire for freedom.
## Imperial Wars’ Impact on Relations
- Strained colonial resources and fostered resentment towards Britain, contributing to a growing sense of American identity and independence.
## Lord Grenville’s Fiscal Policies
1. **Sugar Act**
- Imposed taxes on sugar and molasses, affecting colonial trade.
2. **Stamp Act**
- Required stamped paper for legal documents, inciting widespread protests.
## Stamp Act Congress and ‘British’ Identity
- Showed colonial unity and a collective identity as British subjects demanding their rights, laying the foundation for coordinated resistance.
## Boston Massacre Trial
- Exposed conflicting views: some saw it as a symbol of British tyranny, while others viewed it as a tragic misunderstanding, reflecting broader social tensions.
## 1st Continental Congress on Independence
- Sought to address grievances and restore colonial rights within the British Empire, rather than immediate independence, reflecting a cautious approach.
## King George III’s Lexington & Concord Response
- His decision to use military force solidified colonial opposition, leading to wider conflict and the push for independence.
## Unit One Essay Prompts
### European Expansion
- **Driving Forces:** Economic motives (gold, trade routes), religious zeal (spread Christianity), and competition among European powers.
- **Ideological Origins:** The Reconquista’s militant Catholicism, the Renaissance’s spirit of exploration, and mercantilist policies.
- **Columbian Exchange:** Introduced new crops and animals to both worlds, spread diseases, and reshaped economies and cultures.
### English Colonial Society (1607-1740)
- **Key Factors:** Economic opportunities, religious freedom, and political ambitions.
- **Changes:** Growth of plantation economies in the South, development of urban centers in the North, and increased conflict with Native Americans.
- **Conflicts:** Bacon’s Rebellion, religious dissent in New England, and tensions over land and resources.
### Imperial Wars & Great Awakening
- **Relationship:** Wars strained colonial resources and governance, while the Great Awakening unified colonists through shared religious experiences.
- **Changes in Colonies:** Increased diversity, economic growth, and social stratification.
- **Evangelism:** Leaders like Jonathan Edwards sought to revive faith, contributing to a sense of identity and mission among marginalized colonists.
### American Revolution Causes
- **Declaration of Independence:** Resulted from taxation without representation, British military actions, and the desire for self-governance.
- **Independence Popularity:** Varied; strong support in some areas, but Loyalist opposition existed.
- **Divisions:** Social, economic, and political differences highlighted the complexity of unifying diverse colonies.
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