AP US History Flashcards: Contextualizing Period 2

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Contextualizing Period 2, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which European power controlled Florida during most of Period 2?

Answer: Spain. Spain held Florida from 1513 until 1763.

Flashcard 2: What was the significance of the Albany Plan of Union?

Answer: It was the first proposal to unite the American colonies. Franklin's 1754 plan preceded later calls for colonial unity.

Flashcard 3: What was the primary reason for founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony?

Answer: To establish a Puritan religious community. John Winthrop's 'city upon a hill' sought to create a godly society.

Flashcard 4: What was the primary reason for founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony?

Answer: To establish a Puritan religious community. John Winthrop's 'city upon a hill' sought to create a godly society.

Flashcard 5: Which colony was established as a debtor's refuge?

Answer: Georgia. Founded by James Oglethorpe to help England's poor debtors.

Flashcard 6: What was the role of the New England town meeting?

Answer: Local government and decision-making forum. Direct democracy allowed citizen participation in local governance.

Flashcard 7: What was the primary role of colonial assemblies?

Answer: To make local laws and manage colonial affairs. These elected bodies exercised significant self-governing powers.

Flashcard 8: Which event marked the end of Native American power in New England?

Answer: King Philip's War. Metacom's defeat in 1676 ended major Native resistance.

Flashcard 9: What was the significance of Bacon's Rebellion?

Answer: Highlighted tensions between frontier settlers and colonial government. Exposed class conflicts and colonial government's neglect of frontier concerns.

Flashcard 10: Identify the impact of the Great Awakening on the colonies.

Answer: Increased religious diversity and questioned traditional authority. Revival movement emphasized personal faith over institutional authority.

Flashcard 11: Which colony was established as a debtor's refuge?

Answer: Georgia. Founded by James Oglethorpe to help England's poor debtors.

Flashcard 12: What was the significance of the Zenger trial?

Answer: Advanced the concept of freedom of the press. John Peter Zenger's acquittal established precedent for press freedom.

Flashcard 13: Which colony was the first to legislate religious freedom?

Answer: Rhode Island. Roger Williams founded it guaranteeing complete religious liberty.

Flashcard 14: Which European nation was primarily involved in the fur trade in North America?

Answer: France. French traders built extensive networks with Native American tribes.

Flashcard 15: Which colonial region was most diverse in terms of ethnicity and religion?

Answer: The Middle Colonies. Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey attracted diverse immigrant groups.

Flashcard 16: What were the main motivations for European colonization in the Americas during Period 2?

Answer: Economic gain, religious freedom, and expansion of empires. These three factors drove most European colonial ventures in the Americas.

Flashcard 17: Which colonies were known for their religious tolerance in Period 2?

Answer: Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Both welcomed diverse religious groups unlike Puritan colonies.

Flashcard 18: What was the significance of Bacon's Rebellion?

Answer: Highlighted tensions between frontier settlers and colonial government. Exposed class conflicts and colonial government's neglect of frontier concerns.

Flashcard 19: Identify the major cash crop of Virginia during the 17th century.

Answer: Tobacco. Jamestown's 'brown gold' saved the Virginia colony from failure.

Flashcard 20: What was the main agricultural produce of the Middle Colonies?

Answer: Grains, earning them the nickname 'breadbasket colonies.'. Rich soil made Pennsylvania and New York major grain producers.

Flashcard 21: Which European country established settlements in what is now New York?

Answer: The Netherlands. Dutch founded New Amsterdam before English conquest in 1664.

Flashcard 22: What was the main purpose of the House of Burgesses?

Answer: To serve as the first representative legislative assembly in America. Virginia's 1619 assembly was America's first elected legislature.

Flashcard 23: Identify the main labor system in the early Virginia colony.

Answer: Indentured servitude. Temporary workers served terms before becoming free.

Flashcard 24: Which event marked the end of Native American power in New England?

Answer: King Philip's War. Metacom's defeat in 1676 ended major Native resistance.

Flashcard 25: Identify one way the colonial economy was linked to the Atlantic World.

Answer: Through the triangular trade system. Connected colonies to Europe, Africa, and Caribbean through trade networks.

Flashcard 26: What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

Answer: It established a self-governing colony based on majority rule. Created the first democratic social contract in America.

Flashcard 27: Identify the significance of Anne Hutchinson in colonial history.

Answer: Challenged gender roles and Puritan orthodoxy in Massachusetts. Her religious teachings and trial challenged Puritan male authority.

Flashcard 28: What was the economic policy of mercantilism?

Answer: Belief in exporting more than importing to increase national wealth. Colonies existed to provide raw materials and buy finished goods.

Flashcard 29: Identify the primary economic activity in the Southern colonies during Period 2.

Answer: Agriculture, especially tobacco and rice cultivation. Cash crops like tobacco drove Southern plantation economies.

Flashcard 30: Which group faced persecution during the Salem Witch Trials?

Answer: Mainly women accused of witchcraft. The 1692 hysteria primarily targeted women in Salem, Massachusetts.

Flashcard 31: Identify the primary economic activity in the New England colonies.

Answer: Commerce, shipbuilding, and fishing. Maritime activities suited the region's geography and resources.

Flashcard 32: Identify the main consequence of the Stono Rebellion.

Answer: Stricter slave codes and restrictions on slave gatherings. The 1739 slave uprising led to harsher control measures.

Flashcard 33: Which colonial region was most diverse in terms of ethnicity and religion?

Answer: The Middle Colonies. Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey attracted diverse immigrant groups.

Flashcard 34: What was the primary motivation behind the founding of the Carolinas?

Answer: Economic profit from agriculture and trade. Unlike religious colonies, Carolina prioritized commercial success.

Flashcard 35: Identify the major cash crop of Virginia during the 17th century.

Answer: Tobacco. Jamestown's 'brown gold' saved the Virginia colony from failure.

Flashcard 36: Which colonies were known for their religious tolerance in Period 2?

Answer: Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Both welcomed diverse religious groups unlike Puritan colonies.

Flashcard 37: What was the impact of the Glorious Revolution on the American colonies?

Answer: Strengthened parliamentary power and led to colonial uprisings. Colonists overthrew the Dominion of New England, asserting self-governance.

Flashcard 38: Which group faced persecution during the Salem Witch Trials?

Answer: Mainly women accused of witchcraft. The 1692 hysteria primarily targeted women in Salem, Massachusetts.

Flashcard 39: What was the impact of King Philip's War on New England?

Answer: Devastated Native American presence and expanded colonial settlements. The 1675-76 war ended significant Native resistance in the region.

Flashcard 40: What was the impact of the Glorious Revolution on the American colonies?

Answer: Strengthened parliamentary power and led to colonial uprisings. Colonists overthrew the Dominion of New England, asserting self-governance.

Flashcard 41: Which European nation was primarily involved in the fur trade in North America?

Answer: France. French traders built extensive networks with Native American tribes.

Flashcard 42: Which colony was the first to legislate religious freedom?

Answer: Rhode Island. Roger Williams founded it guaranteeing complete religious liberty.

Flashcard 43: What was the primary cause of conflict in King William's War?

Answer: Control over the fur trade and colonial territories. European imperial rivalry extended to North American colonial conflicts.

Flashcard 44: Which religious group founded Pennsylvania and why?

Answer: The Quakers, seeking religious freedom. William Penn founded it as a 'holy experiment' for persecuted Friends.

Flashcard 45: What was the Middle Passage?

Answer: The transatlantic journey enslaved Africans endured to the Americas. The horrific forced voyage from Africa to the Americas.

Flashcard 46: Which colony was founded as a haven for Catholics?

Answer: Maryland. Lord Baltimore founded it as a refuge for English Catholics.

Flashcard 47: What was the main purpose of the House of Burgesses?

Answer: To serve as the first representative legislative assembly in America. Virginia's 1619 assembly was America's first elected legislature.

Flashcard 48: Identify a key difference between indentured servants and slaves in the colonies.

Answer: Indentured servants were temporary; slaves were for life. Term of service versus permanent bondage distinguished these labor systems.

Flashcard 49: Identify the primary economic activity in the New England colonies.

Answer: Commerce, shipbuilding, and fishing. Maritime activities suited the region's geography and resources.

Flashcard 50: What was the primary cause of conflict in King William's War?

Answer: Control over the fur trade and colonial territories. European imperial rivalry extended to North American colonial conflicts.

Flashcard 51: Identify the impact of the Great Awakening on the colonies.

Answer: Increased religious diversity and questioned traditional authority. Revival movement emphasized personal faith over institutional authority.

Flashcard 52: Identify the primary purpose of the Dominion of New England.

Answer: To centralize control over the New England colonies. James II's attempt to impose direct royal control over New England.

Flashcard 53: Identify the significance of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.

Answer: Considered the first written constitution in America. Connecticut's 1639 document established representative government principles.

Flashcard 54: Which European power controlled Florida during most of Period 2?

Answer: Spain. Spain held Florida from 1513 until 1763.

Flashcard 55: Identify a key difference between indentured servants and slaves in the colonies.

Answer: Indentured servants were temporary; slaves were for life. Term of service versus permanent bondage distinguished these labor systems.

Flashcard 56: Which colony was founded as a haven for Catholics?

Answer: Maryland. Lord Baltimore founded it as a refuge for English Catholics.

Flashcard 57: What was the primary role of colonial assemblies?

Answer: To make local laws and manage colonial affairs. These elected bodies exercised significant self-governing powers.

Flashcard 58: Identify one major impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the American colonies.

Answer: Increased labor force for plantations, especially in the South. Millions of enslaved Africans provided essential labor for colonial agriculture.