APUSH APUSH Period 2 1607 1754 European Colonization Spanish French Dutch and British

Why This Matters

European colonization was a pivotal event in world history, shaping the modern global landscape. The colonization of the Americas, Africa, and Asia by European powers such as Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Britain had far-reaching consequences, including the displacement and marginalization of indigenous populations, the transatlantic slave trade, and the establishment of new economic and political systems. Understanding European colonization is essential for grasping the broader themes of imperialism, cultural exchange, and the struggle for power and resources that defined the early modern period. This topic is particularly relevant to the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the complex interplay between European states, colonial empires, and local populations.

Key Events & People

• Christopher Columbus (1451-1506): Italian explorer sponsored by the Spanish monarchs to find a new trade route to Asia, leading to the European discovery of the Americas.
• Hernán Cortés (1485-1547): Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization in the Americas.
• Henry the Navigator (1394-1460): Portuguese prince who sponsored expeditions to explore the west coast of Africa, leading to the establishment of trade routes and the discovery of new lands.
• William Penn (1644-1718): English Quaker who founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1682, promoting tolerance and coexistence between European settlers and Native Americans.
• The Dutch West India Company (1621): Trading company that established the first permanent Dutch settlement in the Americas, New Amsterdam (present-day New York City), in 1626.
• The British East India Company (1600): Trading company that established a monopoly on British trade with India and played a key role in the colonization of India and Southeast Asia.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): Treaty between Spain and Portugal that divided the New World between the two powers, establishing the principle of European colonization.
• The French Code Noir (1685): Set of laws that governed the treatment of enslaved Africans in the French colonies, including the prohibition of slavery in some colonies.
• The British Glorious Revolution (1688): Event that saw the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Britain, influencing the development of colonial governance.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The desire for wealth and resources drove European exploration and colonization.
• Effect: The colonization of the Americas led to the displacement and marginalization of indigenous populations.

• Long-term consequence: The legacy of colonization continues to shape the modern global landscape, with ongoing debates about reparations, land rights, and cultural preservation.

• Cause: The establishment of trade routes and colonies created new economic opportunities for European powers.

• Effect: The growth of international trade led to the development of new technologies and industries.

• Long-term consequence: The global economy became increasingly interconnected, with far-reaching consequences for global politics and culture.

• Cause: The colonization of Africa and Asia led to the exploitation of local resources and labor.

• Effect: The transatlantic slave trade and other forms of forced labor became widespread.
• Long-term consequence: The legacy of slavery and colonialism continues to shape modern societies, with ongoing debates about reparations, justice, and equality.

Essential Vocabulary

• ⚠️ Imperialism: The policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization or other means.
• Colonialism: The establishment of colonies or settlements in a new region, often with the goal of exploiting local resources.
• Encomienda: A system of labor in which Spanish colonizers granted land and labor rights to indigenous peoples in exchange for loyalty and service.
• Treaty of Versailles: The treaty that ended World War I and imposed harsh penalties on Germany, leading to widespread resentment and the rise of Nazi Germany.
• Manifest Destiny: The idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory across North America, often justified through the concept of divine providence.
• Caste system: A social hierarchy in which people are divided into distinct groups based on birth, occupation, or other factors.
• Indentured servitude: A system of labor in which people are contracted to work for a set period in exchange for passage to a new country.
• Triangular trade: The system of trade in which goods were exchanged between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, often involving the slave trade.
• Feudalism: A social and economic system in which lords granted land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1492, not 1494.

• Correction: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

• What students often get wrong: The British Glorious Revolution was a single event that took place in 1688.

• Correction: The British Glorious Revolution was a series of events that took place between 1687 and 1689, including the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

• What students often get wrong: The Dutch West India Company was established in 1620.

• Correction: The Dutch West India Company was established in 1621, with the goal of establishing trade routes and colonies in the Americas.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Essay prompt: Analyze the role of European colonization in shaping the modern global landscape. Be sure to include specific examples from the colonization of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
• Evidence: The Treaty of Tordesillas, the French Code Noir, the British Glorious Revolution, and the Dutch West India Company's establishment of New Amsterdam.

• Possible thesis: European colonization had far-reaching consequences for indigenous populations, local economies, and global politics, shaping the modern world in lasting ways.

• Essay prompt: Compare and contrast the colonization of the Americas by Spain and Britain. Be sure to include specific examples from the conquest of the Aztec Empire and the colonization of Virginia.

• Evidence: Hernán Cortés's conquest of the Aztec Empire, the establishment of Jamestown in 1607, and the British East India Company's role in the colonization of India.
• Possible thesis: The colonization of the Americas by Spain and Britain had distinct characteristics, reflecting the unique goals, values, and institutions of each power.

Quick Self‑Check

1. Who sponsored Christopher Columbus's expedition to the Americas? Answer: The Spanish monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.
   Explanation: The Spanish monarchs sponsored Columbus's expedition in 1492, leading to the European discovery of the Americas.

2. What was the purpose of the Dutch West India Company? Answer: To establish trade routes and colonies in the Americas.
   Explanation: The Dutch West India Company was established in 1621 with the goal of establishing trade routes and colonies in the Americas, including the establishment of New Amsterdam in 1626.

3. What was the significance of the British Glorious Revolution? Answer: The establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Britain.
   Explanation: The British Glorious Revolution saw the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in Britain, influencing the development of colonial governance.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet

• ⚠️ The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494, not 1492.
• The Dutch West India Company was established in 1621, not 1620.
• The British Glorious Revolution took place between 1687 and 1689, not in 1688.
• The French Code Noir prohibited slavery in some French colonies.
• The British East India Company played a key role in the colonization of India and Southeast Asia.
• The Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521.
• The Portuguese prince Henry the Navigator sponsored expeditions to explore the west coast of Africa.
• The Quaker William Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1682.
• The Dutch established the first permanent settlement in the Americas, New Amsterdam, in 1626.
• The British colonization of the Americas was influenced by the concept of Manifest Destiny.