US History Essay 
Cameron Morgan
Gold 2
POL – 1
Prompt: Analyze the factors behind competition, cooperation, and conflict among the different societies and social groups in North America during the colonial period.
Over-Arching Question: How and why have different political and social groups competed for influence over society and government in what would become the United States?
Key Concept 1.2: European overseas expansion resulted in the Columbian Exchange, a series of interactions and adaptations among societies across the Atlantic.
a. European expansion into the Western Hemisphere caused intense social/religious, political, and economic competition in Europe and the promotion of empire building. European exploration and conquest were fueled by a desire for new sources of wealth, increased power and status, and converts to Christianity.
b. New crops from the Americans stimulated European population growth, while new sources of mineral wealth facilitated the European shift from feudalism to capitalism.
Ex. Corn, potatoes
c. Improvements in technology and more organized methods for conducting international trade helped drive changes to economies in Europe and the Americas.
Ex. Sextant, joint-stock companies
Key Concept 1.3: Contacts among American Indians, Africans, and Europeans challenged the worldview of each group.
I. Native peoples and Africans in the Americas strove to maintain their political and cultural autonomy in the face of European challenges to their independence and core beliefs.
a. European attempts to change American Indian beliefs and worldviews on basic social issues such as religion, gender roles, and the family, and the relationship of people with the natural environment led to American Indian resistance and conflict.
Ex. Spanish mission system, Pueblo, Juan de Onate
b. In spite of slavery, Africans’ cultural and linguistic adaptations to the Western Hemisphere resulted in varying degrees of cultural preservation and autonomy
Ex. Maroon communities in
Gold 2
POL – 1
Prompt: Analyze the factors behind competition, cooperation, and conflict among the different societies and social groups in North America during the colonial period.
Over-Arching Question: How and why have different political and social groups competed for influence over society and government in what would become the United States?
Key Concept 1.2: European overseas expansion resulted in the Columbian Exchange, a series of interactions and adaptations among societies across the Atlantic.
a. European expansion into the Western Hemisphere caused intense social/religious, political, and economic competition in Europe and the promotion of empire building. European exploration and conquest were fueled by a desire for new sources of wealth, increased power and status, and converts to Christianity.
b. New crops from the Americans stimulated European population growth, while new sources of mineral wealth facilitated the European shift from feudalism to capitalism.
Ex. Corn, potatoes
c. Improvements in technology and more organized methods for conducting international trade helped drive changes to economies in Europe and the Americas.
Ex. Sextant, joint-stock companies
Key Concept 1.3: Contacts among American Indians, Africans, and Europeans challenged the worldview of each group.
I. Native peoples and Africans in the Americas strove to maintain their political and cultural autonomy in the face of European challenges to their independence and core beliefs.
a. European attempts to change American Indian beliefs and worldviews on basic social issues such as religion, gender roles, and the family, and the relationship of people with the natural environment led to American Indian resistance and conflict.
Ex. Spanish mission system, Pueblo, Juan de Onate
b. In spite of slavery, Africans’ cultural and linguistic adaptations to the Western Hemisphere resulted in varying degrees of cultural preservation and autonomy
Ex. Maroon communities in