Unit 1: Colonial Era Study Guide

Each unit this year we will cover a set of ideas from the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). These are the
standards that will be the basis of all tests. For your convenience, I am including the standards with each study
guide to help you think holistically about the information we cover in each unit.

NEW STANDARDS
SSUSH1 Compare and contrast the development of English settlement and colonization during the 17 th
Century.
a. Investigate how mercantilism and trans-Atlantic trade led to the development of colonies.
b. Explain the development of the Southern Colonies, including but not limited to reasons established, impact of
location and place, relations with American Indians, and economic development.
c. Explain the development of the New England Colonies, including but not limited to reasons established, impact of
location and place, relations with American Indians, and economic development.
d. Explain the development of the Mid-Atlantic Colonies, including but not limited to reasons established, impact of
location and place, relations with American Indians, and economic development.

SSUSH2 Describe the early English colonial society and investigate the development of its governance.
a. Describe European cultural diversity including the contributions of different ethnic and religious groups.
b. Describe the Middle Passage, the growth of the African population and their contributions, including but not
limited to architecture, agriculture, and foodways.
c. Describe different methods of colonial self-governance in the period of Salutary Neglect
d. Explain the role of the Great Awakening in creating unity in the colonies and challenging traditional authority.

OLD STANDARDS
SSUSH1 The student will describe European settlement in North America during the 17th century.
a. Explain Virginias development; include the Virginia Company, tobacco cultivation, relationships with Native Americans such as
Powhatan, development of the House of Burgesses, Bacons Rebellion, and the development of slavery.
b. Describe the settlement of New England; include religious reasons, relations with Native Americans (e.g., King Phillips War), the
establishment of town meetings and development of a legislature, religious tensions that led to the founding of Rhode Island, the half-
way covenant, Salem Witch Trials, and the loss of the Massachusetts charter and the transition to a royal colony.
c. Explain the development of the mid-Atlantic colonies; include the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam and subsequent English
takeover, and the settlement of Pennsylvania.
d. Explain the reasons for French settlement of Quebec.
e. Analyze the impact of location and place on colonial settlement, transportation, and economic development; include the southern,
middle, and New England colonies.
SSUSH2 The student will trace the ways that the economy and society of British North America developed.
a. Explain the development of mercantilism and the trans-Atlantic trade.
b. Describe the Middle Passage, growth of the African population, and African-American culture.
c. Identify Benjamin Franklin as a symbol of social mobility and individualism.
d. Explain the significance of the Great Awakening.

Key Terms
1. Quebec
10. Bacons Rebellion 18. Creation of New Amsterdam/New York
2. Jamestown
11. King Phillips War 19. Uniqueness of Pennsylvania
3. Headright System
12. Mayflower Compact 20. Mercantilism
4. Virginia Company
13. Town Meetings 21. Trans-Atlantic Trade
5. Cash Crop
22. Middle Passage
6. Tobacco Cultivation 14. Establishment of Rhode Island
23. Benjamin Franklin/Social Mobility
7. Powhatan 15. Half-way covenant
24. Great Awakening
8. House of Burgesses 16. Salem Witch Trials

9. Development of Slavery 17. Loss of Massachusetts Charter