2.1 Unit 2 Overview: Contextualization

2 min read•january 10, 2023

James Glackin

AP US History 🇺🇸

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Contextualizing the Unit

Britain, Spain, France, and the Netherlands were all competing against each other for land, riches and power in the world between c. 1450-1800. Exploring and obtaining new colonies in the Americas were a big part of this competition.

Their competition led to both alliances and conflicts between the colonists and the Native Americans living in America. Both the Europeans and Americans had to decide how they were going to be settled and governed. These decisions would lead to conflicts.

This unit will help us better understand the origins of life in early America. These origins include motives for colonial settlement, the evolution of government, their economies, religions and culture. A guiding question is: How did both Europeans and Americans influence these origins?

Main Events

1607: Jamestown was founded.

1619: First African slaves arrive in America. House of Burgesses created in Virginia.

1620: Pilgrims sail on the Mayflower.

1676: Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia.

1680s: Large expansion of slavery in the colonies.

1681: Pennsylvania founded by William Penn.

1692: Salem Witch Trials.

1734: Great Awakening.

1754: French and Indian War begins.

Major Trends Between 1607-1754

European powers compete for colonies. Each country has different motives for colonization and settles in different landscapes and climates. This leads to various settlements.
Interaction between Europeans, colonists, and native Americans includes both cooperation and conflict. The identity of America and its institutions is influenced by the European way of life. Is American becoming more European or more American?
Europeans want cheap labor for goods being produced in America. Indians and white indentured servants were their original laborers. Bacon’s Rebellion forces Europe to embrace the African slave trade as slavery accelerates.
The Indians form alliances and rivalries with both Europeans and colonists in an attempt to preserve their land and way of life.
Colonists begin to desire their own, independent culture and institutions, such as government, churches, economies, and laws. This leads to conflict with their European bosses.

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🌽Unit 1 – Interactions North America, 1491-1607

🦃Unit 2 – Colonial Society, 1607-1754

2.0Unit 2 Overview: Colonization of North America (1607-1754)

2.1Unit 2 Overview: Contextualization

2.2European Colonization

2.3The Regions of the British Colonies

2.4Transatlantic Trade

2.5Interactions between Native Americans and Europeans

2.6Slavery in the British Colonies

2.7Colonial Society and Culture

2.9Multiple Choice Questions