What this deck covers
This deck focuses on European Colonization, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.
AP US History Flashcards: European Colonization
Study European Colonization in AP US History with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.
AP US History
European Colonization
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QUESTION
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Which European nation established the colony of Louisiana?
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ANSWER
France. French claimed this vast territory from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
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Flashcard 1: Which European nation established the colony of Louisiana?
Answer: France. French claimed this vast territory from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Flashcard 2: Which English colony was known for its religious tolerance?
Answer: Rhode Island. Roger Williams founded this colony emphasizing separation of church and state.
Flashcard 3: What was the primary goal of Columbus's 1492 voyage?
Answer: To find a direct sea route to Asia. Columbus sought a western route to the Indies for spice trade, but reached the Americas instead.
Flashcard 4: Which agreement was signed aboard the Mayflower in 1620?
Answer: The Mayflower Compact. Established self-governance principles before landing at Plymouth Rock.
Flashcard 5: Identify the explorer who established St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S.
Answer: Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Spanish admiral founded this fortress city in 1565 to protect shipping routes.
Flashcard 6: Identify the explorer who established St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S.
Answer: Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Spanish admiral founded this fortress city in 1565 to protect shipping routes.
Flashcard 7: What was the primary goal of the Puritans settling in Massachusetts Bay?
Answer: To create a religiously pure community. Puritans sought to purify the Church of England in the New World.
Flashcard 8: What was the primary cash crop in colonial Virginia?
Answer: Tobacco. John Rolfe developed a profitable tobacco strain that saved the Virginia colony.
Flashcard 9: Which European power established New Amsterdam?
Answer: The Netherlands. Dutch established this trading post on Manhattan Island in 1624.
Flashcard 10: What was the impact of the Columbian Exchange on Europe?
Answer: Introduction of new crops and resources. Exchange brought potatoes, tomatoes, and tobacco, transforming European agriculture and diet.
Flashcard 11: Which Indigenous empire did Hernán Cortés conquer?
Answer: The Aztec Empire. Cortés defeated Montezuma's empire with superior weapons and indigenous allies.
Flashcard 12: Which European country founded Quebec in 1608?
Answer: France. Samuel de Champlain established this trading post along the St. Lawrence River.
Flashcard 13: What was the significance of the Spanish Armada's defeat in 1588?
Answer: It marked the decline of Spanish naval dominance. English victory opened seas for colonization and weakened Spanish power.
Flashcard 14: What was the primary cause of conflict in King Philip's War?
Answer: Tensions over land between New England settlers and Indigenous peoples. Metacom led indigenous resistance against English expansion in 1675-1676.
Flashcard 15: Which treaty divided the New World between Spain and Portugal in 1494?
Answer: The Treaty of Tordesillas. Pope-mediated agreement gave Spain most of the New World, Portugal got Brazil.
Flashcard 16: Who was the leader of the failed Roanoke Colony?
Answer: John White. Governor of the mysterious 'Lost Colony' that disappeared without trace.
Flashcard 17: What was the original name of New York City under Dutch control?
Answer: New Amsterdam. Named after Amsterdam, it was captured by England and renamed New York.
Flashcard 18: What was the significance of the House of Burgesses?
Answer: It was the first legislative assembly in the American colonies. Virginia's 1619 assembly marked the beginning of representative government in America.
Flashcard 19: Which colony was founded by the Pilgrims in 1620?
Answer: Plymouth Colony. Pilgrims established this settlement after the Mayflower voyage seeking religious freedom.
Flashcard 20: Who was the founder of Pennsylvania, emphasizing religious freedom?
Answer: William Penn. Quaker leader established Pennsylvania as a 'holy experiment' welcoming all faiths.
Flashcard 21: Which European power established the colony of Brazil?
Answer: Portugal. Portuguese focused on sugar production using African slave labor.
Flashcard 22: Which colony was founded by the Pilgrims in 1620?
Answer: Plymouth Colony. Pilgrims established this settlement after the Mayflower voyage seeking religious freedom.
Flashcard 23: Which cash crop was significant in the Caribbean colonies?
Answer: Sugar. Sugar plantations drove the Caribbean slave trade and colonial economy.
Flashcard 24: What was the primary cash crop in colonial Virginia?
Answer: Tobacco. John Rolfe developed a profitable tobacco strain that saved the Virginia colony.
Flashcard 25: Identify the year the Jamestown settlement was established.
Answer:
Flashcard 26: What was the Encomienda System?
Answer: A labor system granting colonists control over Indigenous labor. Spanish colonial system exploiting indigenous labor in exchange for protection.
Flashcard 27: Which European power established New Amsterdam?
Answer: The Netherlands. Dutch established this trading post on Manhattan Island in 1624.
Flashcard 28: What was the main purpose of the Navigation Acts?
Answer: To control colonial trade and ensure it benefited England. Mercantilist laws required colonial goods to pass through English ports.
Flashcard 29: What was the primary cause of conflict in King Philip's War?
Answer: Tensions over land between New England settlers and Indigenous peoples. Metacom led indigenous resistance against English expansion in 1675-1676.
Flashcard 30: What was the primary goal of Columbus's 1492 voyage?
Answer: To find a direct sea route to Asia. Columbus sought a western route to the Indies for spice trade, but reached the Americas instead.
Flashcard 31: Which English colony was known for its religious tolerance?
Answer: Rhode Island. Roger Williams founded this colony emphasizing separation of church and state.
Flashcard 32: What was the main economic activity of New France?
Answer: Fur trade. French trappers and traders built relationships with indigenous peoples.
Flashcard 33: What was the significance of the House of Burgesses?
Answer: It was the first legislative assembly in the American colonies. Virginia's 1619 assembly marked the beginning of representative government in America.
Flashcard 34: Which European country founded Quebec in 1608?
Answer: France. Samuel de Champlain established this trading post along the St. Lawrence River.
Flashcard 35: Which treaty divided the New World between Spain and Portugal in 1494?
Answer: The Treaty of Tordesillas. Pope-mediated agreement gave Spain most of the New World, Portugal got Brazil.
Flashcard 36: What was the main purpose of the Navigation Acts?
Answer: To control colonial trade and ensure it benefited England. Mercantilist laws required colonial goods to pass through English ports.
Flashcard 37: What was the primary economic activity in French Canada during colonization?
Answer: Fur trading. French focused on profitable beaver pelts rather than large-scale settlement.
Flashcard 38: What was the original name of New York City under Dutch control?
Answer: New Amsterdam. Named after Amsterdam, it was captured by England and renamed New York.
Flashcard 39: What was the primary motive for French exploration in North America?
Answer: To expand the fur trade. French sought beaver pelts for European hat-making industry profits.
Flashcard 40: Which agreement was signed aboard the Mayflower in 1620?
Answer: The Mayflower Compact. Established self-governance principles before landing at Plymouth Rock.
Flashcard 41: What was the main reason for the founding of Georgia?
Answer: As a buffer against Spanish Florida and a debtor's colony. Oglethorpe created this colony for debtors and defense against Spanish Florida.
Flashcard 42: Which Indigenous empire did Hernán Cortés conquer?
Answer: The Aztec Empire. Cortés defeated Montezuma's empire with superior weapons and indigenous allies.
Flashcard 43: Which European nation established the colony of Louisiana?
Answer: France. French claimed this vast territory from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.
Flashcard 44: Who led the first successful English colony in North America?
Answer: John Smith. Smith's leadership saved Jamestown during the 'starving time' crisis.
Flashcard 45: What was the main purpose of the Spanish missions in the Americas?
Answer: To convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. Spanish missionaries sought to spread Catholicism and control indigenous populations.
Flashcard 46: Which colony was originally founded as a haven for Catholics?
Answer: Maryland. Lord Baltimore founded this colony as a refuge for English Catholics.
Flashcard 47: Name the colony founded by James Oglethorpe.
Answer: Georgia. Oglethorpe established this buffer colony against Spanish Florida in 1733.
Flashcard 48: Name the first permanent English settlement in North America.
Answer: Jamestown. Founded in 1607, it became the first successful permanent English colony in America.
Flashcard 49: What was the primary goal of the Puritans settling in Massachusetts Bay?
Answer: To create a religiously pure community. Puritans sought to purify the Church of England in the New World.
Flashcard 50: Name the colony founded by James Oglethorpe.
Answer: Georgia. Oglethorpe established this buffer colony against Spanish Florida in 1733.
Flashcard 51: Who led the first successful English colony in North America?
Answer: John Smith. Smith's leadership saved Jamestown during the 'starving time' crisis.
Flashcard 52: Which cash crop was significant in the Caribbean colonies?
Answer: Sugar. Sugar plantations drove the Caribbean slave trade and colonial economy.
Flashcard 53: Name the economic system emphasizing national wealth through colonial expansion.
Answer: Mercantilism. Economic theory requiring colonies to provide raw materials to the mother country.
Flashcard 54: What was the main purpose of the Spanish missions in the Americas?
Answer: To convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity. Spanish missionaries sought to spread Catholicism and control indigenous populations.
Flashcard 55: Identify the year the Jamestown settlement was established.
Answer:
Flashcard 56: What role did the Hudson River play in Dutch colonization?
Answer: It was a major trade route for New Amsterdam. River provided access to interior fur trading with indigenous peoples.