AP US History Unit 2 Essentials: Key Terms & Big Ideas

Big Idea 1

Colonial regions developed distinct identities — setting up later tensions

New England's Puritan communalism, the Middle Colonies' diversity and tolerance, and the South's plantation economy created three very different societies. These regional differences persisted through the Revolution, the Constitution, and eventually the Civil War.

Regionalism Colonial Society Identity

Big Idea 2

Slavery's development was deliberate — not inevitable

Virginia planters deliberately chose African slavery over indentured servitude after Bacon's Rebellion, creating race-based slave codes. Slavery was a political and economic choice, not an inevitable outcome. This choice shaped American society for centuries.

Slavery Race Economics

Big Idea 3

Colonial America developed habits of self-government that Britain later threatened

Through salutary neglect, colonial assemblies, and local governance, Americans developed expectations of self-rule. When Britain tried to reassert control after 1763, colonists experienced it as tyranny — making revolution feel necessary.

Self-Government Salutary Neglect Revolution

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Jamestown

First permanent English settlement in North America (1607, Virginia); survived through tobacco cultivation under John Smith's leadership.

Colonization

Plymouth Colony

Pilgrim colony founded 1620 in Massachusetts. The settlers signed the Mayflower Compact, establishing self-government.

Colonization

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Puritan colony founded 1630 by John Winthrop, intended as a 'city upon a hill' — a model Christian community.

Colonization

Mayflower Compact

1620 agreement among Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower establishing self-government — an early example of consent-based government in America.

Colonization

New England Colonies

Puritan-dominated region of small farms, town meetings, fishing, and trade — emphasized religion, education, and community.

Regional Differences

Middle Colonies

Religiously diverse and tolerant colonies (NY, NJ, PA, DE) known for wheat farming, ethnic mix, and the cities of Philadelphia and New York.

Regional Differences

Chesapeake Colonies

Tobacco-growing Virginia and Maryland, relying on indentured servants and later enslaved Africans for labor on plantations.

Regional Differences

Southern Colonies

Plantation societies (Carolinas, Georgia) growing rice and indigo with enslaved African labor; rigid social hierarchy.

Regional Differences

House of Burgesses

First representative assembly in English America (1619, Virginia); set a precedent for colonial self-government.

Self-Government

Pennsylvania

Quaker colony founded 1681 by William Penn as a 'holy experiment' in religious tolerance, peaceful Native relations, and representative government.

Colonization

Mercantilism

Economic theory that national wealth came from accumulating bullion; colonies existed to supply raw materials and buy manufactured goods from the mother country.

Trade & Economy

Navigation Acts

British laws (1651+) requiring colonial trade on English ships and certain goods shipped only to England — enforced mercantilism but often ignored.

Trade & Economy

Salutary Neglect

British policy before 1763 of loosely enforcing trade laws and allowing colonies significant self-government — produced colonial autonomy.

Trade & Economy

Triangular Trade

Transatlantic trade network: manufactured goods from Europe to Africa, enslaved Africans to the Americas (Middle Passage), and raw materials back to Europe.

Trade & Economy

King Philip's War

Devastating 1675–76 war between New England colonists and Native Americans led by Wampanoag chief Metacom; ended major Native resistance in southern New England.

Native Conflicts

Pueblo Revolt

1680 successful uprising of Pueblo peoples in New Mexico led by Popé, drove Spanish out for 12 years — most successful Indigenous resistance in North America.

Native Conflicts

Metacom (King Philip)

Wampanoag chief who led Native American forces against New England colonists in King Philip's War; killed in 1676.

Native Conflicts

Middle Passage

Horrific transatlantic voyage transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas; mortality rates of 10–20%; over 12 million people forcibly transported.

Slavery

Slave Codes

Colonial laws (starting Virginia, 1660s) defining slavery as racial and hereditary; restricted enslaved peoples' rights and gave owners near-total control.

Slavery

Stono Rebellion

1739 South Carolina slave uprising — about 60 enslaved Africans killed white colonists before being suppressed; led to harsher slave codes.

Slavery

Indentured Servants

European laborers contracted to work 4–7 years in exchange for passage to America; the main Chesapeake labor force before African slavery dominated.

Labor Systems

Headright System

Virginia policy granting 50 acres of land to anyone paying their passage to the colony (plus 50 more per person they brought) — encouraged migration.

Labor Systems

Bacon's Rebellion

1676 Virginia uprising led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor Berkeley; revealed class tensions and accelerated the shift from indentured servitude to African slavery.

Colonial Society

Great Awakening

1730s–40s wave of religious revivals led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield; emphasized personal conversion, challenged established churches, unified colonies.

Colonial Society

Halfway Covenant

1662 Puritan compromise allowing children of church members without a conversion experience to have partial church membership — reflected declining religious intensity.

Colonial Society