APUSH APUSH Period 2 1607 1754 Contextualizing Period 2

Why This Matters

Contextualizing Period 2, which spans from 1607 to 1754, is crucial for understanding the development of British North America and the emergence of the American colonies. This period saw the establishment of the 13 colonies, the growth of trade and commerce, and the increasing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. The significance of this period lies in its connection to the AP theme of American Identity, as it sets the stage for the eventual American Revolution and the creation of a new nation. Understanding the complexities of this period is essential for grasping the underlying causes of the Revolution and the shaping of American identity.

Key Events & People

• The Mayflower Compact (1620): The first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, establishing a framework for self-government and the rule of law.
• The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619): The first representative legislative assembly in the American colonies, marking the beginning of colonial self-governance.
• John Winthrop (1588-1649): Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who played a crucial role in shaping the colony's government and economy.
• The Navigation Acts (1651-1696): A series of laws passed by the British Parliament to regulate trade and commerce in the colonies, leading to growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain.
• The Glorious Revolution (1688): A revolution in England that saw the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, influencing the development of colonial politics.
• The Salem Witch Trials (1692-1693): A series of trials and executions in colonial Massachusetts, marking a dark period in American history and highlighting the dangers of hysteria and mob mentality.
• The Triangular Trade (1600s): A system of trade that connected the colonies to Africa and the Caribbean, involving the exchange of goods, including enslaved Africans.
• The Proclamation of 1763: A British decree that prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, leading to growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain.
• The Stamp Act (1765): A law passed by the British Parliament that imposed a tax on printed materials in the colonies, sparking widespread protests and resistance.
• The Sons of Liberty (1765): A group of colonial patriots who organized protests and boycotts against British taxation, including the famous Boston Tea Party.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Navigation Acts (1651-1696)
• Effect: Growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain
• Long-term consequence: The American Revolution (1775-1783)
• Cause: The Proclamation of 1763
• Effect: Increased colonial resentment towards British rule
• Long-term consequence: The outbreak of the American Revolution
• Cause: The Stamp Act (1765)
• Effect: Widespread protests and resistance in the colonies
• Long-term consequence: The formation of the First Continental Congress (1774)

Essential Vocabulary

• *Colonialism*: The establishment and maintenance of colonies by a powerful nation.
• *Mercantilism*: An economic system in which a nation seeks to accumulate wealth and power through trade and commerce.
• *Enlightenment*: A philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the scientific method.
• *Toleration*: The practice of allowing individuals to hold different beliefs and practices without persecution.
• *Representation*: The idea that citizens should be represented in government through elected officials.
• *Taxation without representation*: The idea that the colonies were being taxed by Great Britain without having any representation in government.
• *Liberty*: The idea of individual freedom and autonomy.
• *Patriotism*: Loyalty and devotion to one's country.
• *Loyalist*: A person who remained loyal to Great Britain during the American Revolution.
• *Puritan*: A member of a Protestant sect that emphasized personal piety and moral reform.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Navigation Acts were passed in the 1700s, not the 1600s.
• Correction: The Navigation Acts were passed between 1651 and 1696.
• What students often get wrong: The Salem Witch Trials were a result of the influence of the Enlightenment.
• Correction: The Salem Witch Trials were a result of the influence of Puritanism and the fear of the unknown.
• What students often get wrong: The Sons of Liberty were a group of Loyalists.
• Correction: The Sons of Liberty were a group of patriots who opposed British rule.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Document-Based Question (DBQ): Analyze the impact of the Navigation Acts on the development of the American colonies. Be sure to include specific examples from the documents, such as the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
• Long Essay Question (LEQ): Discuss the role of the Enlightenment in shaping the American Revolution. Be sure to include specific examples from the period, such as the writings of John Locke and the ideas of the Sons of Liberty.
• DBQ: Evaluate the significance of the Proclamation of 1763 in the lead-up to the American Revolution. Be sure to include specific examples from the documents, such as the reactions of colonial leaders and the impact on colonial settlement.

Quick Self‑Check

1. What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
2. Correct answer: To establish a framework for self-government and the rule of law.
3. Explanation: The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony, establishing a framework for self-government and the rule of law.
4. Who was the leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?
5. Correct answer: John Winthrop.
6. Explanation: John Winthrop was the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who played a crucial role in shaping the colony's government and economy.
7. What was the significance of the Stamp Act?
8. Correct answer: It sparked widespread protests and resistance in the colonies.
9. Explanation: The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British Parliament that imposed a tax on printed materials in the colonies, leading to growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• ⚠️ The Navigation Acts were passed between 1651 and 1696.
• ⚠️ The Proclamation of 1763 prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
• ⚠️ The Stamp Act was passed in 1765.
• ⚠️ The Sons of Liberty were a group of patriots who opposed British rule.
• ⚠️ The Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620.
• ⚠️ The Virginia House of Burgesses was established in 1619.
• ⚠️ The Salem Witch Trials took place in 1692-1693.
• ⚠️ The Glorious Revolution took place in 1688.
• ⚠️ The Triangular Trade connected the colonies to Africa and the Caribbean.
• ⚠️ The Enlightenment emphasized reason, individualism, and the scientific method.