APUSH: Period 2, 1607-1754 - The Regions of British Colonies, Chesapeake, New England, Middle, Southern

Why This Matters

The regions of British colonies in North America (Chesapeake, New England, Middle, Southern) played a crucial role in shaping the American identity and the country's future. The distinct characteristics of each region, influenced by geography, climate, and economic factors, contributed to the development of unique cultural, social, and economic systems. This, in turn, affected the American Revolution, the formation of the United States, and the country's ongoing struggle with issues of regionalism, identity, and power. Understanding the regions of British colonies is essential for grasping the complexities of American history and the ongoing impact of these regional differences on contemporary American society.

Key Events & People

• The Mayflower Compact (1620): A document signed by the Pilgrims establishing a framework for self-government in Plymouth Colony, which would later influence the development of American democracy.
• John Winthrop (1588-1649): Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who played a key role in shaping the colony's government and economy.
• The Tobacco Industry (1610s): The growth of tobacco as a cash crop in the Chesapeake region led to the development of a plantation economy and the exploitation of enslaved Africans.
• The Salem Witch Trials (1692-1693): A series of trials and executions in colonial Massachusetts, which highlighted the tensions between Puritan values and the growing influence of secularism.
• The Great Awakening (1730s-1740s): A series of revivals and evangelistic movements that swept through the colonies, emphasizing personal conversion and the importance of individual faith.
• 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 Navigation Acts (1651-1675): A series of laws that regulated trade and commerce in the colonies, contributing to growing resentment towards British rule.
• The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619): The first representative legislative assembly in the American colonies, which played a key role in shaping colonial politics and governance.
• The Quakers (1650s): A group of pacifist Christians who settled in Pennsylvania, promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence with Native Americans.
• The Southern Colonies' reliance on slavery (1600s): The growth of slavery in the Southern colonies, particularly in Virginia and South Carolina, contributed to the development of a plantation economy and the exploitation of enslaved Africans.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Navigation Acts (1651-1675)
• Effect: Growing resentment towards British rule and the development of colonial identity
• Long-term consequence: The American Revolution and the eventual independence of the United States
• Cause: The Proclamation of 1763
• Effect: Growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain
• Long-term consequence: The outbreak of the American Revolution
• Cause: The Great Awakening (1730s-1740s)
• Effect: The growth of evangelical Christianity and the development of a distinct American identity
• Long-term consequence: The influence of evangelical Christianity on American politics and culture

Essential Vocabulary

• *Puritanism*: A theological movement emphasizing personal conversion, hard work, and moral discipline.
  • Example: The Puritans' emphasis on hard work and self-discipline contributed to the growth of a thriving economy in Massachusetts.
• *Plantation economy*: An economic system based on large-scale agriculture, often relying on enslaved labor.
  • Example: The growth of tobacco as a cash crop in the Chesapeake region led to the development of a plantation economy.
• *Navigation Acts*: Laws regulating trade and commerce in the colonies.
  • Example: The Navigation Acts contributed to growing resentment towards British rule and the development of colonial identity.
• *Proclamation of 1763*: A British decree prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
  • Example: The Proclamation of 1763 led to growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain.
• *Great Awakening*: A series of revivals and evangelistic movements emphasizing personal conversion and individual faith.
  • Example: The Great Awakening contributed to the growth of evangelical Christianity and the development of a distinct American identity.
• *Toleration Act (1649)*: A law allowing for the practice of non-Puritan faiths in Massachusetts.
  • Example: The Toleration Act contributed to the growth of religious diversity in the colonies.
• *Mayflower Compact*: A document establishing a framework for self-government in Plymouth Colony.
  • Example: The Mayflower Compact influenced the development of American democracy.
• *Quakers*: A group of pacifist Christians who settled in Pennsylvania, promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence with Native Americans.
  • Example: The Quakers' emphasis on tolerance and peaceful coexistence contributed to the growth of a diverse and inclusive society in Pennsylvania.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Navigation Acts were passed in the 1700s, contributing to the American Revolution.
  • Correction: The Navigation Acts were passed in the 1650s-1670s, contributing to growing resentment towards British rule.
• What students often get wrong: The Great Awakening was a single event that occurred in the 1700s.
  • Correction: The Great Awakening was a series of revivals and evangelistic movements that swept through the colonies in the 1730s-1740s.
• What students often get wrong: The Proclamation of 1763 was a law passed by the colonies.
  • Correction: The Proclamation of 1763 was a British decree prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the Navigation Acts in shaping colonial identity and contributing to the American Revolution.
  • Evidence: The Navigation Acts (1651-1675), the Proclamation of 1763, the Mayflower Compact (1620)
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the impact of the Great Awakening on the development of a distinct American identity.
  • Evidence: The Great Awakening (1730s-1740s), the Quakers (1650s), the Toleration Act (1649)
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the significance of the Proclamation of 1763 in contributing to the outbreak of the American Revolution.
  • Evidence: The Proclamation of 1763, the Navigation Acts (1651-1675), the Mayflower Compact (1620)

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
   • Correct answer: To establish a framework for self-government in Plymouth Colony.
   • Explanation: The Mayflower Compact was a document signed by the Pilgrims establishing a framework for self-government in Plymouth Colony.
2. Which region of the British colonies relied heavily on slavery?
   • Correct answer: The Southern colonies.
   • Explanation: The Southern colonies, particularly in Virginia and South Carolina, relied heavily on slavery to develop a plantation economy.
3. What was the main effect of the Navigation Acts?
   • Correct answer: Growing resentment towards British rule and the development of colonial identity.
   • Explanation: The Navigation Acts contributed to growing resentment towards British rule and the development of colonial identity.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Navigation Acts were passed in the 1650s-1670s.
• The Great Awakening was a series of revivals and evangelistic movements that swept through the colonies in the 1730s-1740s.
• The Proclamation of 1763 was a British decree prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
• The Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620.
• The Quakers settled in Pennsylvania in the 1650s.
• The Toleration Act was passed in 1649.
• The Southern colonies relied heavily on slavery to develop a plantation economy.
• The Great Awakening contributed to the growth of evangelical Christianity and the development of a distinct American identity.
• The Proclamation of 1763 led to growing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain.
• The Navigation Acts contributed to the development of colonial identity and the American Revolution.