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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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