AP US History : 1608–1754
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US History
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Ap Us History
Passage adapted from John Winthrop's "A Modell of Christian Charity" (1630)
The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as his own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of his wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies; when he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, “the Lord make it like that of New England.” For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God.
John Winthrop's speech is representative of the ideas and beliefs associated with which of the following groups?
Catholics
Baptists
Separatists
Puritans
Puritans
John Winthrop was the leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which in 1630 settled Boston Harbor as a refuge for Puritans. Puritans believed that the Anglican church, which was the state church of England, was horribly corrupt on a number of levels and needed to be thoroughly cleansed and purified. Winthrop's speech "A Modell of Christian Charity" was given aboard the ship Arabella before going ashore to remind his followers of their religious duties.
Example Question #1 : 1608–1754
Passage adapted from John Winthrop's "A Modell of Christian Charity" (1630)
The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as his own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of his wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies; when he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, “the Lord make it like that of New England.” For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God.
John Winthrop gave the above speech to the original colonists of which North American British colony?
Virginia
Connecticut
Massachusetts Bay
Plymouth
Massachusetts Bay
John Winthrop was a leader among the radical reforming group known as the Puritans, and was chosen to lead a group of Puritans to form a new colony in the Americas as a safe haven for the group. Winthrop intentionally went north of the colonies of Virginia to Massachusetts Bay, which placed him closer to the similarly minded Plymouth Colony. Eventually, Massachusetts would overrun the Plymouth Colony and through divisions spawn Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Example Question #1 : Ap Us History
Passage adapted from John Winthrop's "A Modell of Christian Charity" (1630)
The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as his own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of his wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies; when he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, “the Lord make it like that of New England.” For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God.
The idea expressed in Winthrop's speech of a "city upon a hill" echoes what later idea in American society and politics?
Isolationism
Manifest Destiny
Secession
American Exceptionalism
American Exceptionalism
The phrase "city upon a hill" is the most lasting echo of Winthrop's speech, and it has been used by many politicians into the twenty first century. The idea, that New England would stand as a beacon to the rest of the world about how to construct a society, would get adapted to referring to the United States of America as a nation. This idea, that America stands apart as a shining example for others due to its unique goodness, is known as American exceptionalism.
Example Question #1 : 1608–1754
"At last they brought him to [Werowocomoco], where was Powhatan their Emperor. Here more then two hundred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had been a monster; till Powhatan and his train had put themselves in their greatest braveries. Before a fire upon a seat like a bedstead, he sat covered with a great robe, made of Rarowcun [raccoon] skins, and all the tails hanging by. At his entrance before the King, all the people gave a great shout.
Having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan: then as many as could laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs, to beat out his brains, Pocahontas the Kings dearest daughter, when no intreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death."
- John Smith, the General History of Virginia, 1624
In this story, Pocahontas' role can be compared to which of the following women?
Dolly Madison
Jane Addams
Susan B. Anthony
Sally Ride
Amelia Earhart
Jane Addams
In the context of this story, Pocahontas' work as a peace-maker can best be compared to Jane Addams. In addition to being a pioneering social worker, Addams was a vocal peace advocate and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
Example Question #1 : Identity, Ideas, Beliefs, And Culture 1608–1754
Cotton Mather was a Boston minister who followed in the footsteps of his father, Increase Mather, serving as the pastor of Boston’s Old North Church and then the Second Church. He was a steadfast defender of the Puritan orthodoxy to the extent that he persuaded Elihu Yale, a London merchant and Anglican, to endow Yale University in 1703 as the training ground for Puritanism. Mather believed that Harvard University had become too liberal to suit his Puritan beliefs and decided a new educational base for Puritan training was needed. Mather also denounced witchcraft, a belief he would recant after reviewing the records of the Salem trials. Later in his life, he deviated further from condemning witchcraft when he encouraged his congregation to forgo any belief in the supernatural. He wrote prolifically during his lifetime. His writings were varied. He wrote on social, political and religious issues. He also wrote on the “New Sciences” and medical theories. Many of his writings were controversial for his time. Nonetheless, his writings are considered the best of early Enlightenment thinking in Colonial America.
Which of the following topics of Mather’s writings are noted for leading to extensive discussion, controversy, and change in New England thinking?
the need for liberty from England in America
societal changes to allow more freedom to women
The creation of universities in all of the colonies to maintain Puritan ideas
immunization against smallpox
the continuing power of the King of England in the colonies
immunization against smallpox
Cotton Mather had a strong interest in the “New Sciences” and medical theories of his day. He studied theology and medicine while at Harvard. During 1721, Boston experienced a smallpox epidemic. At this time a debate began regarding the benefits of inoculations against the disease. It was observed that those who survived smallpox were immune to the disease in the future. Mather learned about smallpox inoculations from the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, which awarded him the F.R.S. in 1713 for his writings on inoculations. He inoculated his son and that action combined with his writings and sermons on smallpox inoculation began a long debate. Many felt that inoculations would lead to a spread of the disease. This belief was based on the fact that a “live” version of the virus would be given in the inoculation. Mather stated that inoculations were a gift from God and to oppose inoculation was to oppose the word of God. He believed it was possible to reconcile science with Scripture. Mather, working with Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, convinced many people that religion and clinical medicine could work together to save lives. As a result, hundreds were inoculated against smallpox.
Example Question #1 : Ap Us History
Benjamin Franklin’s woodcut from May 9, 1754.
The image displayed a snake cut up into eight pieces. The snake’s detached head was labeled "N.E." for “New England,” while the trailing seven sections were tagged with letters representing the colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
What is the main political goal supported by this cartoon?
the joining of the colonies into a unified state
the movement to seek help from England
the resignation of the current ruling legislators of the United States
the movement to force the Indian Confederacy to join the colonists
the joining of the colonies into a unified state
In 1754, Benjamin Franklin suggested a plan to unify the colonies of the time. More than twenty representatives of several colonies had gathered to plan their defense related to the French and Indian War. The plan represented one of multiple early attempts at unification.
Image is in the public domain: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 9 May 1754. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_Franklin_-_Join_or_Die.jpg
Example Question #1 : 1608–1754
During colonization, one result of large amounts of arable land and few landowners was that __________.
land owners often relied on indentured servants to fulfill their labor requirements.
profits from produce increased.
colonist's relationships with Native Americans were very strained.
agricultural workers formed a union to advocate for their employment rights.
settlers continued moving westward to find suitable land for farming.
land owners often relied on indentured servants to fulfill their labor requirements.
Indentured servitude was common in the United States during the Colonial Period and continued into the 19th Century. Poor people in Europe trying to escape various forms of discrimination, or just eager for a fresh start in the New World, would sell their services to a master for a period of time, often 7 years. The master would pay for their trip to America as well as room and board during their period of service. The masters were usually wealthy landowners who required a great deal of cheap labor in order to cultivate their land.
Example Question #1 : 1608–1754
The Transatlantic Triangular Trade consisted of three stages. The first stage began in British ports with ships carrying cloth, guns, ironware and drink made in Britain to use in trading for slaves on the West African coast. The second stage was in Africa. There African slave dealers kidnapped people from villages, often up to 100 miles inland, or purchased individuals from African chiefs. These kidnapped and purchased individuals were marched to the West African coast to be traded to the European traders. The European captains would take up to 4 months to fill their ships with individuals as they sailed along the West African coast looking for the fittest and most inexpensive slaves. When the ships were full to capacity, the final stage or the Middle Passage began. The Middle Passage carried slaves across the Atlantic Ocean to the West Indies. The enslaved Africans were sold in the West Indies. The money earned from the sale of the slaves was used to buy sugar, coffee, tobacco and other products that would be carried back to Great Britain. The Transatlantic Triangular Trade was an unsavory yet vital element of the trade economy of the time.
The Transatlantic Triangular Trade was vital part of British trade because of which of the following two factors?
The Sugar Act and Capitalism
The Navigation Acts and Mercantilism
The Stamp Act and China Trade
The Plantation System and the Free Market System
The Quartering Act and Mercantilism
The Navigation Acts and Mercantilism
The Transatlantic Triangular trade was crucial to mercantilism in Great Britain. The main purpose of the colonies was to enrich Great Britain with trade in diverse goods from the abundance of the colonies in exchange for the goods needed in the colonies. Money did not change hands in these transactions. Instead the goods traded came from the colonies as a result of the sale of slaves to plantation owners in need of inexpensive labor. This provided Great Britain with the means to obtain goods without paying the colonies for the products. Additionally, the process could be repeated. The Navigation Acts declared that all colonial exports would be transported in British ships and imports would pass through British ports. This was caused by the salutary neglect of Britain but became a vital necessary during the French and Indian War. Therefore, Great Britain controlled the transactions of goods and the ports to be used in the trading. The Transatlantic Triangular Trade and mercantilism provided a favorable balance of trade for Great Britain. Gold and silver would not leave Britain to purchase the raw materials, manufactured goods and food the country needed. The slave trade would "pay for" these items. The balance was in favor of Great Britain as the colonies bought more than they sent out.
Example Question #1 : 1608–1754
"For having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians against his Majesty’s loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us."
- Declaration of Nathaniel Bacon, leader of a rebellion of former indentured servants against Governor William Berkeley, 1676
"I have lived 34 years amongst you, as uncorrupt and dilligent as ever Governor was, Bacon is a man of two years amongst you, his person and qualities unknown to most of you, and to all men else, by any virtuous action that ever I heard of...I will take Council of wiser men then my self, but Mr. Bacon hath none about him, but the lowest of the people."
- Governor Williams Berkeley, in response to Bacon's Rebellion, 1676
Which of these major developments was caused in part by conflicts between former indentured servants and the landed elites?
Uprisings by confederations of Native Americans against the landed elites
An increase in the importation of slaves from Africa to act as laborers
An increasing number of disgruntled former indentured servants turning to a life of piracy to attain wealth
A general movement towards the support of Republicanism
The rise in the regulation of trade among the colonies
An increase in the importation of slaves from Africa to act as laborers
Because of frustrations over the shortages of indentured servants and the challenges of accommodating newly independent freedmen, the Chesapeake colonies eventually turned to slave labor as a more easily managed source of forced labor.
Example Question #1 : 1608–1754
"At last they brought him to [Werowocomoco], where was Powhatan their Emperor. Here more then two hundred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had been a monster; till Powhatan and his train had put themselves in their greatest braveries. Before a fire upon a seat like a bedstead, he sat covered with a great robe, made of Rarowcun [raccoon] skins, and all the tails hanging by. At his entrance before the King, all the people gave a great shout.
Having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan: then as many as could laid hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs, to beat out his brains, Pocahontas the Kings dearest daughter, when no intreaty could prevail, got his head in her arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death."
- John Smith, the General History of Virginia, 1624
Which of the following best describes the perspective of John Smith in this passage?
Native Americans lacked the vices of the more corrupt and cultured Europeans
Powhatan and his people were backwards barbarians
Native American women were dominant in their society
The Native Americans were noble people who had great knowledge about their natural environment
Powhatan liked to mock royalty by dressing up in false finery
Powhatan and his people were backwards barbarians
In this passage, John Smith looks down on Powhatan and his people due to cultural differences, describing their feast as "barbarous" and describing them as gawking at him during his arrival.
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