Ch 2: Settling North America (1497-1732): Help and Review
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- Students who have fallen behind in understanding European exploration, colonization and the settling of North America
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How it works:
- Find videos in our course that cover what you need to learn or review.
- Press play and watch the video lesson.
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- Test your understanding of each lesson with short quizzes.
- Verify you're ready by completing the Settling North America chapter exam.
Why it works:
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Students will review:
This chapter helps students review the concepts in a settling North America unit of a standard AP U.S. history course. Topics covered include:
- The Jamestown colony
- The Plymouth Rock settlement
- The New England colonies
- The Southern colonies
- Colonial America and the 13 colonies

1. North American Exploration & Failed Colonies of France & England
European nations fought to establish their own empires in North America. Learn about their motivations for exploring, key people involved and the places they explored, and the failed colonies of France and England.

2. The Settlement of Jamestown Colony
In 1607, the London Company settled the colony of Jamestown. The settlers overcame many odds to become the first permanent, English settlement in North America. In this lesson, learn about the failures and successes of Jamestown before it was taken over by the Crown.

3. New France, New Netherlands & New Sweden: North American Settlements
Several European nations tried to establish colonies in America including France, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Explore the early colonies in North America, what they succeed in, how they eventually fell, and who took over.

4. The Mayflower and the Plymouth Rock Settlement
Find out how much you know about the Pilgrims and their voyage. In this lesson, you'll learn about the misplaced Plymouth Colony, its escaped indentured servants, and the Wampanoag Indians who saved their lives.

5. The Puritans and the Founding of the New England Colonies
The Puritans helped found the New England colonies. Learn about the Puritans and their role in developing the New England colonies, including the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Explore the lives of some of the New England colonies' leaders such as John Winthrop, Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson, and Thomas Hooker. Understand the roles that the Puritans and each of these leaders played in forming the colonies of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.

6. The Southern Colonies: Settlement and Growth
Between the 1600s and 1700s, the southern colonies were settled and experienced growth over time. Discover how these colonies formed and changed, and learn about Nathaniel Bacon, Cecil Calvert, and James Oglethorpe and their impact on the colonies.

7. The Middle Colonies: New York, Delaware, New Jersey & Pennsylvania
New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were known as the Middle Colonies. Find out how New Netherland became New York, how New Jersey began, and what William Penn had to do with the formation of Pennsylvania and Delaware.

8. The 13 Colonies: Life in Early America
This lesson explores what life in Early America was like in the northern, southern, and middle colonies. Some defining aspects of this time include increased population, King Phillip's War, Salem Witch Trials, plantations, and the printing press.

9. Rise of the Slave Trade: Black History in Colonial America
Black history in Colonial American began with the slave trade. This lesson covers the triangular trade, the Middle Passage, Phillis Wheatley, task systems, slave codes, and Black people's different experiences in the northern and southern colonies.

10. The 13 Colonies: Developing Economy & Overseas Trade
England relied heavily on trade and for a while, the new colonies traded exclusively with England. Explore mercantilism, colonial economics, economic regulations imposed by the British, and how colonials responded.

11. The 13 Colonies: World Events that Influenced Colonial America
Many world events influenced colonial America. Explore the restoration of the English monarchy, who created the Dominion of New England, what effect the Glorious Revolution had on the American colonies, and how conflict in Europe fueled immigration to America.

12. Joint-Stock Company in Jamestown: History, Advantages & Disadvantages
The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company founded in Jamestown with the goal of establishing a permanent English colony in America. Learn about the founding of Jamestown and the advantages and disadvantages created by the founding of the Virginia Company.

13. Pequot War of 1637: Summary & Timeline
The Pequot War of 1637 was a significant war between the European Puritans and the Pequot natives. Discover the summary of the Pequot War of 1637, the timeline leading up to the war, how it was a lopsided war, and the backlash and legacy of it.

14. Peter Stuyvesant: Biography & Facts
Peter Stuyvesant was the director general of the Dutch colony of New Netherlands and was its governor from 1647 to 1664. This lesson will detail his life's experiences, with emphasis on his leadership in North America.

15. Philadelphia: History & Facts
Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania and was a meeting place of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America and the site of the young nation's first capitol. Learn facts about the early history of Philadelphia and its role in the American Revolution, and the city's modern-day progression, culture, architecture, and attractions.

16. Protectorate: Definition & Examples
A protectorate is a country or territory that is under the control of another nation. Explore the definition and examples of American protectorates including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Panama.

17. Puritan Work Ethic: Definition & Overview
The Puritan work ethic is both a sociological and theological concept involving a Christian's life. Explore the definition of the Puritan work ethic and Calvinism, the differing contexts of the Puritan work ethic, and popular connotations of it.

18. Puritanism in Colonial America: Beliefs & Definition
Puritanism was a powerful influence on Colonial America. Learn the definition of Puritanism and explore the Puritans' early years, religious beliefs, society, politics, and problems.

19. Puritans in America: Beliefs, Religion & History
The Puritans left England over religious differences and established a colony in America. Explore the Puritans' history, beliefs, and religion to understand the origin of their faith, why they moved to America, and how they practiced religious life.

20. Salem Witch Trials of 1692: Facts, History & Causes
Discover the history of the Salem Witch trials and why there was a common belief in witchcraft in the late 17th century. Explore details about the accusations, witch hunts, trials, and executions in the Salem, Massachusetts community.

21. Sea Dog Sir Walter Raleigh, Explorer: Facts, Route & History
Sea Dog Sir Walter Raleigh was Queen Elizabeth I's favorite and a famous explorer in the 16th century. Explore facts and history about Sir Walter Raleigh, his early years, Queen Elizabeth's sea dogs, Sir Raleigh's route in his American expeditions, and his fall from favor.

22. Separatists: Definition & Examples
Investigate the reasons why Separatists sought to leave the Church of England and ultimately preserve their community and religious identity in America. Afterward, check your understanding with a quiz.

23. Serf: Definition, System & Life
Serfs were the lowest level on the feudal pyramid in the Middle Ages. This lesson will cover the definition of a serf, their role in the bigger picture, and daily life for those in this position.

24. Sioux Indian Tribe: History, Facts & Culture
The history of the Sioux Indian Tribe goes back over 30,000 years. Explore the history, facts, origin, and culture of the Sioux people; examine the threats to the Sioux tribe and battles they fought in, such as the Great Sioux War of 1876 and the Massacre at Wounded Knee.

25. Slash and Burn in Agriculture: Definition and Method
Slash and burning is a basic type of agriculture which involves cutting down and burning existing foliage in order to clear land and prepare it for cultivation.

26. Squanto: Biography, History & Relationship with the Pilgrims
Squanto was a Native American member of the Patuxet tribe who befriended the Pilgrims in modern-day Massachusetts. Examine Squanto's tribe and early life, explore his time in Europe and return to Plymouth, and consider the relationships between the Pilgrims and Native Americans.

27. The Corps of Discovery: Definition, Timeline & Members
The Corps of Discovery were the first Americans to explore new lands purchased for the U.S. and its people. Learn about this important group's formation, membership, and key dates of their trip in this lesson.

28. The Dominion Of New England: Definition & Overview
The Dominion of New England integrated the colonies of New England into a single administrative unit to restrict their freedom and trading. Discover the definition of The Dominion when it was established and an overview of its existence and downfall.

29. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut: Definition, Summary & Significance
In colonial America, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established the official government for the Connecticut colony. Explore the definition and summary of the Fundamental Orders to understand their significance. Review the origins and provisions of the Fundamental Orders, and recognize how they established a rule of law in Connecticut that was unique at the time.

30. The Golden Age of Piracy: Timeline, Facts & Ships
This lesson will introduce you to what has been dubbed, The Golden Age of Piracy. You will read about well-known pirates, their flagships, and the government's response to piracy.

31. Who is Hernando de Soto? - Facts, Accomplishments & Biography
Hernando de Soto was a key figure in Spain's conquests into what is currently known as Mexico, Central, and South America. Discover de Soto's journey in becoming a conquistador, and his accomplishments through a brief biography.

32. Vasco Nunez de Balboa: Facts, Route & Timeline
Vasco Nunez de Balboa (c. 1475 to 1519) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who was the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean by crossing the New World. His violence in pursuit of wealth and power ultimately led to his death by beheading.

33. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado: Facts, Timeline & Route
This lesson will focus on Francisco Vazquesz de Coronado y Lujan (1510 to 1554), an explorer and conquistador who dreamed of fame, fortune, and the seven cities of gold. Turning the seven cities into reality, however, proved a tough chore.

34. Juan Ponce de Leon: Facts, Timeline & Route
In this lesson, you will learn about the Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon and his historic quest for gold and the Fountain of Youth.

35. Peninsulares: Definition & Explanation
Peninsulares were a group of people who traveled from the Iberian Peninsula in Spain to the American colonies. Explore the definition and explanation of peninsulares and discover colonial order in Latin America and the terms gachupines and chapetones.

36. Hernan Cortes: Accomplishments, Exploration Route & the Aztecs
Hernan Cortes was an infamous Spanish conquistador responsible for defeating the Aztec Empire in Mexico during the 16th century. Explore exploration routes and accomplishments of Cortes, as well as life among the Aztecs prior to Cortes' arrival in Mexico.

37. Hernan Cortes: Facts, Biography, Quotes & Timeline
Hernan Cortes was a 15th-century Spanish conquistador best known for his role in defeating the Aztec Empire. Explore facts, quotes, and a biography and timeline of Hernan Cortes' life, adventures, and conquests.

38. What was the American Indian Movement? - History & Timeline
The American Indian Movement was a militant protest group born in 1968 during the 1960's Protest Era. Influenced by the Black Panthers, its goal was to secure treaty rights and improve the lives of the Native American population on reservations and in the cities, often through confrontational means via major protest events.

39. Yamasee War: Summary & Facts
Fed up with enslavement and chained to debt, the Yamasee and their allies attacked the British colonists in South Carolina in 1715. Learn about the Yamasee War and check yourself with a quiz.

40. Treaty of Tripoli in 1797: Article 11
In 1796, the United States signed a treaty with the Barbary State of Tripoli. While the purpose of the treaty was to end a long-standing disagreement, Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli has had a different significance over time.

41. The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819
Before Florida was the home to Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney World, it was a colony owned by the Spanish. This lesson explains how the United States acquired Florida through the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819.

42. Treaty of Paris in 1783: Definition & Terms
The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the last battle of the American Revolution, but did you know the war did not officially come to an end until 1783? This lesson explains the major points of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

43. Gadsden Purchase: Definition & Summary
During the 1840s and 1850s, the United States and Mexico had a good deal of conflict, which eventually led to the Gadsden Purchase made in 1854. This lesson explains the origins and outcomes of the deal.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AP US History: Help and Review course
- First Contacts (28,000 BCE-1821 CE): Help and Review
- The Road to Revolution (1700-1774): Help and Review
- The American Revolution (1775-1783): Help and Review
- The Making of a New Nation (1776-1800): Help and Review
- The Virginia Dynasty (1801--1825): Help and Review
- Jacksonian Democracy (1825 -- 1850): Help and Review
- Life in Antebellum America (1807-1861): Help and Review
- Manifest Destiny (1806-1855): Help and Review
- Sectional Crisis (1850-1861): Help and Review
- American Civil War (1861-1865): Help and Review
- Reconstruction (1865-1877): Help and Review
- Industrialization and Urbanization (1870-1900): Help and Review
- The Progressive Era (1900-1917): Help and Review
- American Imperialism (1890-1919): Help and Review
- The Roaring 20s (1920-1929): Help and Review
- The Great Depression (1929-1940): Help and Review
- The US in World War II (1941-1945): Help and Review
- The World During WWII (1941-1945): Help and Review
- Post-War World (1946-1959): Help and Review
- The Cold War (1950-1973): Help and Review
- Protests & Civil Disobedience (1954-1973): Help & Review
- The 1970s (1969-1979): Help and Review
- The Rise of Political Conservatism (1980-1992): Help and Review
- Contemporary America (1992-2013): Help and Review
- Changes in the Modern United States: Help and Review
- AP U.S. History: Test-Taking Skills and Prep: Help and Review
- How to Write a Good Essay on Your AP Exam: Help and Review
- Developing and Writing Your AP Exam Essay: Help and Review
- Critical Thinking Skills for AP US History: Help and Review