APUSH Period 2 Quizlet: Comprehensive Study Guide for American History (1585-1783)

Introduction

Mastering APUSH Period 2 is crucial for your success on the AP US History exam. This comprehensive quizlet covers all key concepts, events, and figures from the Colonial Era to the American Revolution. With detailed definitions, timelines, and analysis, this guide will empower you to ace your exam confidently.

Key Concepts and Events

• Colonial Era: The establishment and growth of English colonies in North America from 1585 to 1754.
• Enlightenment Ideas: The influence of European Enlightenment philosophy on American colonists, emphasizing reason, individual rights, and limited government.
• Great Awakening: A series of religious revivals in the 1730s and 1740s that sparked religious fervor and contributed to social and political change.
• French and Indian War: A conflict between England and France for control of North America (1754-1763).
• Seven Years’ War: The global conflict that included the French and Indian War (1756-1763).
• Mercantilism: An economic system in which colonies were exploited for the benefit of the mother country.
• Salutary Neglect: England’s policy of allowing colonies to self-govern and develop their own economic systems.

Timeline

• 1585: Sir Walter Raleigh establishes the first English colony at Roanoke Island.
• 1607: Founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America.
• 1619: First arrival of enslaved Africans in the colonies at Jamestown.
• 1630: Founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony by Puritans seeking religious freedom.
• 1738: Great Awakening begins with the preaching of Jonathan Edwards.
• 1754: French and Indian War begins.
• 1763: Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War; England gains control of French territory east of the Mississippi River.
• 1774: First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia.
• 1776: Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4th.

Key Figures

• Sir Walter Raleigh: English explorer who established the Roanoke Colony.
• John Smith: English adventurer and leader of Jamestown.
• Jonathan Edwards: Great Awakening preacher who emphasized the need for a personal religious experience.
• George Washington: Virginia planter and military leader who commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
• Thomas Jefferson: Author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States.
• King George III: King of England during the American Revolution.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overestimating the role of individual figures in the American Revolution.
• Underestimating the influence of social, economic, and political factors on the colonists’ decision to declare independence.
• Ignoring the role of enslaved Africans and other minority groups in the Colonial Era and American Revolution.

Pros and Cons of APUSH Period 2

Pros:

• Provides a solid foundation in early American history, essential for understanding later events.
• Covers pivotal events such as the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.
• Examines the social, political, and economic forces that shaped colonial America.

Cons:

• Can be challenging to grasp the complexities of the Colonial Era.
• Requires substantial memorization of dates and events.
• Some students may find the period less engaging than later periods in American history.

Useful Tables

Table 1: Major Colonial Wars

Table 2: Key Enlightenment Ideas

Table 3: British Colonial Policies

Table 4: Causes of the American Revolution