The Regions of the British Colonies
Daniel Miller
7 min read
Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers the key aspects of colonial America, focusing on the New England, Middle, Chesapeake, and Southern colonies. It examines their unique social structures, political systems, economic activities, religious beliefs, and key figures. Important terms include Puritans, 'City Upon a Hill', Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Quakers, indentured servants, Act of Toleration, plantation system, and slavery. The guide also includes practice questions and test-taking strategies for the AP US History exam.
#AP US History: Colonial America - The Night Before 🌃
Hey! Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to crush this exam. We're going to break down the colonies, highlight the key stuff, and get you prepped for anything they throw at you. Let's do this!
# New England Colonies: The Puritan Experiment ⛪
New England is a huge topic on the exam. It's all about religion, community, and early forms of democracy. Get this stuff down!
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Key Players:
- Puritans: Wanted to "purify" the Church of England. ⛪
- Separatists (Pilgrims): Extreme Puritans who wanted to break away entirely. 🚢
- John Winthrop: Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony; envisioned a "city upon a hill." ⛰️
- Roger Williams: Advocated for religious tolerance; founded Rhode Island. 🕊️
- Anne Hutchinson: Challenged Puritan authority; banished to Rhode Island. 🗣️
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Settlement and Beliefs:
- Plymouth Colony (1620): Founded by Pilgrims; later merged with Massachusetts Bay. 🤝
- Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629): Founded by Puritans seeking religious freedom (for themselves). 📜
- "City Upon a Hill": Winthrop's vision of a model religious community. 💡
- Predestination: Puritan belief that God has already decided who goes to heaven or hell. ⚖️
- Voting: Limited to male church members only. 🗳️
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Politics and Economy:
- Town Meetings: Early form of democracy in New England. 🏘️
- Economy: Shipbuilding, fishing, whaling, lumbering, and iron-making. 🚢🎣🌲
- Family Life: Large families and longer lifespans compared to other colonies. 👨👩👧👦
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Other New England Colonies:
- Rhode Island: Founded by Roger Williams; known for religious tolerance. ✝️
- Connecticut: Founded by Puritans; adopted the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (first written constitution). 📜
- Maine & New Hampshire: Also part of New England, with similar characteristics. 🌲
Memory Aid: Remember Puritan Religious Disagreement for New England: Pilgrims, Roger Williams, Democracy (town meetings)
The concept of a "city upon a hill" is a big deal! It shows the Puritans' desir...
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