Prep for Unit 2 Essay Questions

Causes of Migration to British-Controlled America

Factors	Effects
Economic Opportunity: Attracted settlers seeking economic prosperity through agriculture, trade, and landownership.	Plantation economies grew, especially in the Southern colonies. Trade networks and mercantilist practices expanded. Agrarian societies formed with a focus on cash crops.
Religious Freedom & Dissent: Appealed to those escaping religious persecution in Europe, leading to the establishment of colonies with religious tolerance.	Colonies like Massachusetts (Puritans) and Maryland (Catholics) were founded. Diverse religious communities developed. The concept of religious freedom had a heavy influence on the American identity.
Indentured Servitude: Provided a means for lower-class individuals to seek passage for labor.	Contributed significantly to the increase in the labor force. In their starting stages, the colonies had a heavy reliance on indentured servants for labor needs. A diverse labor force with European indentured servants was formed.
Political & Social Mobility: Attracted individuals seeking escape from rigid class structures and opportunities for upward mobility.	Social mobility was much higher in the colonies. Entrepreneurial activities and small-scale farming contributed to economic diversity. A more fluid social structure developed, compared to Europe.
Overpopulation/Land Scarcity: Push factor that drove individuals to seek a better life in the colonies.	Population growth in the colonies. Settlements and agricultural activities expanded. Competition for land resources in the colonies intensified.
Social & Political Unrest: Periods of unrest in Europe motivated people to migrate out of desire for stability.	Settlements of persecuted peoples that left Europe increased. The ideals of such political outcasts influenced the governance structures of the colonies.

How Enlightenment Ideas Influenced American Independence

Development	Causes	Effects
Legacy of Colonial Charters and Traditions	Longstanding traditions of self-governance in colonial charters. Precedents like the Mayflower Compact and Virginia House of Burgesses.	Colonists viewed historical precedents as evidence of their right to self-govern.
Enlightenment Ideas	Influence of Enlightenment ideals emphasizing reason, individual rights, and social contract. John Locke's theories on natural rights and consent.	Intellectual underpinnings provided a framework for justifying resistance.
Colonial Assemblies and Local Governance	Tradition of local self-governance through colonial assemblies. Experiences in local governance fostered a sense of autonomy among colonists.	Colonists valued their ability to make decisions at the local level, resisting external interference.
Responses to British Policies	British policies like the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and Townshend Acts sparked resistance. Slogan "No taxation without representation" reflected concerns over lack of colonial representation.	Colonists resisted perceived threats to their self-governance and fundamental rights.
Development of Revolutionary Ideas	Intensification of imperial control and events like the Boston Massacre prompted reconsideration of colonial-British relationship. Influential writings like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense.”	Articulation of the right to self-government in the Declaration of Independence. Catalyzed the shift toward independence and the Revolutionary War.

Causes of Individual Development in the 13 Colonies

	New England Colonies	Middle Colonies	Southern Colonies
Economic	Diverse economy: trade, fishing, shipbuilding, small farms. Limited large-scale agriculture.	Diverse economy: agriculture (grains), trade, industry. Fertile soil supporting various farms.	Dominated by large plantations, focused on cash crops (tobacco, rice, indigo). Reliance on enslaved labor.
Social Structure	Egalitarian society with a balanced social structure. Town life and religious values played a significant role.	More diverse and tolerant society. Quaker influence in Pennsylvania contributed to inclusivity.	Hierarchical society with significant economic disparities. Wealthy plantation owners at the top.
Purpose of Settlement	Primarily for religious freedom (Puritans in Massachusetts). Emphasis on education and literacy.	Economic opportunities, including trade and fertile land. Religious diversity and tolerance.	Economic opportunities, especially in tobacco cultivation. Challenges related to disease and mortality rates.
Interactions with Native Americans	Initially cooperative relations (Pilgrims and Wampanoag). Later conflicts, such as King Philip's War.	Varied interactions, including alliances and conflicts over land. Some colonies engaged in trade with Native Americans.	Tensions and conflicts with Native Americans over land and resources. Expansion of plantation agriculture led to increased competition.

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AMSCO Notes

AMSCO 2.8 Comparison in Period 2 (1607-1754) Notes

1 min read•june 18, 2024

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UNIT 2 — Period 2: 1607–1754

📖 AMSCO p.75 - p.83

Key Timeline

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Practice Essay Questions

Prep for Unit 2 Essay Questions

Causes of Migration to British-Controlled America

Factors	Effects
Economic Opportunity: Attracted settlers seeking economic prosperity through agriculture, trade, and landownership.	Plantation economies grew, especially in the Southern colonies. Trade networks and mercantilist practices expanded. Agrarian societies formed with a focus on cash crops.
Religious Freedom & Dissent: Appealed to those escaping religious persecution in Europe, leading to the establishment of colonies with religious tolerance.	Colonies like Massachusetts (Puritans) and Maryland (Catholics) were founded. Diverse religious communities developed. The concept of religious freedom had a heavy influence on the American identity.
Indentured Servitude: Provided a means for lower-class individuals to seek passage for labor.	Contributed significantly to the increase in the labor force. In their starting stages, the colonies had a heavy reliance on indentured servants for labor needs. A diverse labor force with European indentured servants was formed.
Political & Social Mobility: Attracted individuals seeking escape from rigid class structures and opportunities for upward mobility.	Social mobility was much higher in the colonies. Entrepreneurial activities and small-scale farming contributed to economic diversity. A more fluid social structure developed, compared to Europe.
Overpopulation/Land Scarcity: Push factor that drove individuals to seek a better life in the colonies.	Population growth in the colonies. Settlements and agricultural activities expanded. Competition for land resources in the colonies intensified.
Social & Political Unrest: Periods of unrest in Europe motivated people to migrate out of desire for stability.	Settlements of persecuted peoples that left Europe increased. The ideals of such political outcasts influenced the governance structures of the colonies.

How Enlightenment Ideas Influenced American Independence

Development	Causes	Effects
Legacy of Colonial Charters and Traditions	Longstanding traditions of self-governance in colonial charters. Precedents like the Mayflower Compact and Virginia House of Burgesses.	Colonists viewed historical precedents as evidence of their right to self-govern.
Enlightenment Ideas	Influence of Enlightenment ideals emphasizing reason, individual rights, and social contract. John Locke's theories on natural rights and consent.	Intellectual underpinnings provided a framework for justifying resistance.
Colonial Assemblies and Local Governance	Tradition of local self-governance through colonial assemblies. Experiences in local governance fostered a sense of autonomy among colonists.	Colonists valued their ability to make decisions at the local level, resisting external interference.
Responses to British Policies	British policies like the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and Townshend Acts sparked resistance. Slogan "No taxation without representation" reflected concerns over lack of colonial representation.	Colonists resisted perceived threats to their self-governance and fundamental rights.
Development of Revolutionary Ideas	Intensification of imperial control and events like the Boston Massacre prompted reconsideration of colonial-British relationship. Influential writings like Thomas Paine's "Common Sense.”	Articulation of the right to self-government in the Declaration of Independence. Catalyzed the shift toward independence and the Revolutionary War.

Causes of Individual Development in the 13 Colonies

	New England Colonies	Middle Colonies	Southern Colonies
Economic	Diverse economy: trade, fishing, shipbuilding, small farms. Limited large-scale agriculture.	Diverse economy: agriculture (grains), trade, industry. Fertile soil supporting various farms.	Dominated by large plantations, focused on cash crops (tobacco, rice, indigo). Reliance on enslaved labor.
Social Structure	Egalitarian society with a balanced social structure. Town life and religious values played a significant role.	More diverse and tolerant society. Quaker influence in Pennsylvania contributed to inclusivity.	Hierarchical society with significant economic disparities. Wealthy plantation owners at the top.
Purpose of Settlement	Primarily for religious freedom (Puritans in Massachusetts). Emphasis on education and literacy.	Economic opportunities, including trade and fertile land. Religious diversity and tolerance.	Economic opportunities, especially in tobacco cultivation. Challenges related to disease and mortality rates.
Interactions with Native Americans	Initially cooperative relations (Pilgrims and Wampanoag). Later conflicts, such as King Philip's War.	Varied interactions, including alliances and conflicts over land. Some colonies engaged in trade with Native Americans.	Tensions and conflicts with Native Americans over land and resources. Expansion of plantation agriculture led to increased competition.

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