APUSH Flashcards: Early American History

Questions and Answers

What common development was absent among the peoples living in what is now the United States before the coming of Europeans?

A common language

Which European country was the first to launch long ocean voyages of exploration?

Portugal

What did Christopher Columbus believe when he made his famous voyages to the New World?

He believed that he had reached the Far East

What contributed to the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs?

The diseases the Spaniards had given the Indians Signup and view all the answers

What was the political system in southern and western Africa before the arrival of Europeans?

A number of small- and medium-sized regional kingdoms Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of mercantilism, what should a successful nation do?

Export its own goods in exchange for gold and silver Signup and view all the answers

Who was the German priest that initiated religious dissatisfactions leading to the movement of English Separatists to the New World?

Martin Luther Signup and view all the answers

Why did Henry VIII start the English Reformation?

Required a divorce in order to marry Signup and view all the answers

What did the majority of English Puritans wish to do?

Purify Anglican forms of worship Signup and view all the answers

What event was most influential in England's decision to begin New World colonization?

Defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 Signup and view all the answers

Where was the first permanent English settlement in the New World established?

Jamestown Signup and view all the answers

What characterized civilizations in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus?

Included elaborate and sophisticated cultures that rivaled those of Europe Signup and view all the answers

What did the Treaty of Tordesillas aim to do?

Divide the Americas between Spain and Portugal to colonize Signup and view all the answers

How did the Coureurs des Bois' relationship with Indians differ from that of the English?

They formed successful partnerships with Indians by becoming a part of native society and intermarrying Signup and view all the answers

According to English assumptions learned in Ireland, what was a key belief regarding colonial settlements?

English colonial settlements must remain separated from native populations Signup and view all the answers

What system did Virginia change from to begin prospering?

A communal system of labor to private ownership Signup and view all the answers

What contributed to the survival and expansion of Virginia?

The discovery that tobacco would grow well there Signup and view all the answers

What issue arose from the rapid growth of Virginia's population during the 1600s?

Violation of Indian treaties and frequent border conflicts Signup and view all the answers

What initiated Bacon's Rebellion?

A fight between Indians and frontiersmen over western lands Signup and view all the answers

What was the founding purpose of the Massachusetts Bay colony?

A business venture Signup and view all the answers

Against whom did James, the Duke of York, have to use military force to take possession of his colony?

The Dutch Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of founding the colony of Georgia?

Military buffer against the Spanish Signup and view all the answers

What did the English colonization of North America lead to?

Established trading centers in cities on the eastern seaboard Signup and view all the answers

What was one problem that led to a high mortality rate in early Jamestown?

The cultivation of the staple crop tobacco for trade instead of grain Signup and view all the answers

What did Puritan theology include regarding salvation?

God chose who was saved before they were born Signup and view all the answers

How did slavery emerge in the Chesapeake region?

Over time as labor demand increased and the flow of indentured servants decreased Signup and view all the answers

How did Spanish and French colonization patterns differ from those of the English?

Including Indians in their society and intermarrying with them Signup and view all the answers

What is illustrated by the pairing of the Glorious Revolution and Leisler's Rebellion?

The contention that colonial events were directly influenced by actions and events in England Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Dominion of New England?

To rationalize colonial policy and consolidate it in the Crown Signup and view all the answers

What did John Winthrop's characterization of Massachusetts Bay as a 'city on a hill' imply?

Massachusetts Bay would be an example for others to follow Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Pre-European Societies in the U.S.

Indigenous peoples did not have a common language before European arrival.

European Exploration

Portugal was the first European nation to engage in extensive ocean exploration.
Christopher Columbus mistakenly thought he reached Asia during his voyages.

Spanish Conquest and Disease

The Spanish conquest of the Aztecs was significantly aided by diseases introduced to Native populations.

African Political Systems

Southern and western Africa were characterized by a network of small and medium-sized regional kingdoms prior to European contact.

Mercantilism

Under mercantilism, nations aimed to export goods for gold and silver, ensuring financial success.

Religious Movement and the New World

English Separatists' migration to the New World was influenced by Martin Luther's protests in 1517.
Henry VIII initiated the English Reformation to obtain a divorce for a new marriage.
English Puritans sought to purify Anglican worship practices.

Colonization of the New World

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 significantly influenced England's decision to colonize the Americas.
Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Pre-Columbian Civilizations

The Americas were home to complex and sophisticated civilizations that paralleled European cultures prior to Columbus’ arrival.

Treaty of Tordesillas

This treaty aimed to divide the Americas between Spain and Portugal for colonization efforts.

French and Native Relationships

Coureurs des Bois formed cooperative relationships with Native Americans through integration and intermarriage, unlike the English.

English Colonization Attitudes

English settlers brought the assumption that they should remain separate from Native populations based on experiences in Ireland.

Virginia's Economic Changes

Virginia prospered by shifting from communal labor to a system of private ownership.
The region thrived with the successful cultivation of tobacco.

Population Growth and Conflict

The increase in Virginia’s population during the 1600s resulted in violations of treaties with Native Americans and border conflicts.

Bacon's Rebellion

This rebellion originated from frontier settlers fighting over land issues with Native Americans.

Massachusetts Bay Colony Foundations

The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established primarily as a business endeavor.

Conquest of New York

James, the Duke of York, took control of the colony from the Dutch using military force.

Georgia's Foundation

The colony of Georgia was established to serve as a military buffer against Spanish forces.

English Colonization Patterns

The English focused on developing trading centers along the Eastern seaboard of North America.

Jamestown's Initial Struggles

High mortality rates in Jamestown were, in part, due to prioritizing tobacco cultivation over grain.

Puritan Beliefs

Puritans believed in predestination, where God determined salvation before birth.

Emergence of Slavery

Slavery in the Chesapeake region developed as demand for labor increased while the availability of indentured servants declined.

Differing Colonization Patterns

Spanish and French colonization incorporated Indigenous peoples into their societies, often through intermarriage.

Influence of English Events on Colonies

The Glorious Revolution in England directly influenced colonial unrest, as seen in Leisler's Rebellion.

Consolidation of Colonial Policies

The Dominion of New England was an initiative to streamline and centralize colonial governance under the Crown.

John Winthrop's Vision

Winthrop described Massachusetts Bay as a "city on a hill," implying it would serve as a moral example for others.

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Description

This quiz consists of flashcards covering key concepts and events in early American history before European colonization. It includes information about indigenous peoples and significant voyages of exploration. Perfect for reviewing essential topics in AP U.S. History.