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Context: European Colonization

Chloe Davis

Chloe Davis

7 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers colonial America (1607-1754), focusing on European colonization by the British, Spanish, and French. It examines their motivations (economic, imperial, religious), interactions with Native Americans, key conflicts (e.g., French and Indian War), and the impact of slavery. The guide also provides exam tips, common mistakes to avoid, and practice questions covering these key concepts.

AP US History: Colonial America (1607-1754) - The Night Before Review πŸš€

Hey! Let's make sure you're totally ready for the AP exam tomorrow. We're going to break down the key stuff about colonial America, focusing on what you really need to know. Let's get to it!

πŸ—ΊοΈ Colonial Overview (1607-1754)

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Caption: A map of the British Empire in America, highlighting the diverse colonial claims.

🌍 European Colonization: A Quick Look

  • Motivations: European powers (Spain, France, Netherlands, Britain) colonized North America for economic, imperial, and religious reasons.
  • Diverse Goals: Each nation had distinct goals:
    • Spain: Focused on extracting precious metals (gold, silver) and converting natives to Catholicism. πŸ†
    • France: Emphasized fur trading and establishing settlements along rivers (Mississippi, St. Lawrence). 🏞️
    • Netherlands: Set up trading posts in the Northeast.
    • Britain: Established colonies along the Atlantic coast, focused on cash crops like tobacco. 🚬
Key Concept

Key Point: Competition for resources and land between European powers and Native Americans led to increased trade, industry, and conflict. This competition set the stage for the French and Indian War.

βš”οΈ Competition & Conflict

  • Rivalry: European nations competed fiercely for control of resources and strategic locations.
  • Impact: This competition shaped the development of the colonies and ultimately led to the Seven Years' War (aka the French and Indian War). πŸ’₯
Exam Tip

Exam Tip: Remember that the French and Indian War (1754-1763) is a major turning point! It significantly shifted the balance of power in North America.

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ British Colonization

🀝 Relationship with Great Britain

  • Complex Dynamic: British colonies had a complicated relationship with Britain. They were influenced by British norms but developed their own unique identities.
  • Tensions: There was a constant tension between the desire for strong ties with Britain and resistance to British control.
  • **Transatlantic Exchange...

Question 1 of 12

What were the primary motivations driving European powers to colonize North America? πŸ€”

Purely religious conversions

Economic, imperial, and religious reasons

Solely to establish trading posts

Only for agricultural purposes