AP US History Period 2 (1607-1754)

• Period 2 covers the English colonization and development of the 13 colonies

• Key themes during this period include:

  English Exploration & Colonization (1607)

  The Chesapeake Colonies included the Virginia Colony, which was established in 1607. Key developments included tobacco as a cash crop, Pocahontas's story, and the roles of John Smith and John Rolfe. The era saw indentured servants, the plantation system, and African slavery starting in 1619, alongside significant events like Bacon's Rebellion (1676) and the establishment of the House of Burgesses (1619).

  Maryland became a Catholic haven with the Act of Toleration (1649). The South relied on rice and indigo as cash crops, while the Headright System (1618) and the Stono Rebellion (1739) shaped labor dynamics. The Caribbean developed sugar plantations bound by slave codes (1661). In the Middle Colonies, New York (1664) and Pennsylvania (1681) fostered Quaker communities and agricultural output.

  The Northern Colonies emphasized religion and economic growth with the Mayflower Compact (1620), the first Thanksgiving (1621), and notable dissenters like Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. Early colleges, including Harvard (1636) and Yale (1701), emerged. Governance was outlined by the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639). Mercantilism and the Navigation Acts influenced economic policy, while conflicts like King Philip's War (1675) reflected tensions. The period also saw the Great Awakening (1730s-1750s) and cases like John Peter Zenger (1734-5) underlining freedom of the press. Ben Franklin's contributions included The Pennsylvania Gazette and the Albany Plan of Congress (1754).

Regional Differences in the British Colonies

• Similarities: Both Chesapeake and New England colonies developed a distinct economy driven by agriculture , relied on labor systems, and established their own forms of governance.

• Differences:

  • New England colonies emphasized small-to-mid sized farms and a mix of skilled labor and agriculture, whereas the Chesapeake colonies focused on large-scale plantations due to their environment.
  • Economic focus played a key role in developing different colonial structures in New England and the Chesapeake, New England was more diverse as a society and economically.

• Factors that cause differences:

  • Environmental factors directly contributed to economic structures. The climate, resources, and geography of the region dictated what crops could be successful and the labor demands each required.
  • Religious motivations for settlement largely determined the social and political landscape in New England. Puritan religious ideals shaped the communities' values and governance systems.
  • Labor systems in the colonies were crucial distinguishing factors between the regions. The reliance on indentured servitude in the Chesapeake led to a different demographic structure and social hierarchy in comparison to New England.

Explore the pivotal events and themes of AP US History Period 2, highlighting the early English colonization and the development of the 13 colonies. This quiz covers key figures, cash crops, and critical conflicts, including Bacon's Rebellion and the Stono Rebellion. Prepare to deepen your understanding of this foundational period in American history.