Pearson EDEXCEL GCSE (9-1) History Option P2: British America, 1713–83: empire and revolution

Option P2: British America, 1713–83: empire and revolution

Key topic 1: British settlement in North America, 1713–41

Key topic 2: A disrupted society, 1742–64

Key topic 3: The loss of an empire, 1765–83

Development in colonial society

Slavery in North America

Problems within the colonies

The impact of cultural developments

War

The aftermath of the French and Indian war

British and American colonist relations: the stirrings of rebellion, 1765-75

The War of Independence 1775-83

Consequences of the war in America

The impact of expansion and immigration on society: the pattern of settlement and tensions among social groups.

Economic developments: trade with Britain and with the West Indies, the importance of tobacco, the introduction of tea.

The impact of piracy, including the activities of ‘Black Sam’ Bellamy and Edward Teach (‘Blackbeard’). The suppression of piracy in American waters: King George I’s Proclamation and the Piracy Act (1717), the work of Governor Spotswood.

The slave trade and ‘Atlantic trade triangle’; British monopoly on supplying slaves to Spanish colonies.

The impact of slavery on the development of tobacco and rice plantations.

The impact of slavery on colonial society; the position of slaves within society and the treatment of fugitive slaves within the colonies; the significance of Spain’s decision to protect runaway slaves in Florida.

Slave revolts in the Carolinas: the Stono Rebellion (1739).

The New York Conspiracy (1741)

The problem of smuggling, attempts to collect customs revenue and to control the fur trade.

Religious revivals in the Middle Colonies and New England.

The Enlightenment: the emphasis on education; the growth of newspapers and public libraries.

The significance of Benjamin Franklin as a writer, philanthropist and intellectual.

Relations with the French and with Native Americans during and after King George’s War (1744–48).

The French and Indian War (1754–63) in North America and the role of Wolfe in Canada

The significance of the Treaty of Paris (1763) and the Proclamation Act (1763).

The impact of the war on relations with Britain.

Opposition to the Sugar Act (1764).

Relations with the Native Americans, including Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763–64). The Paxton Boys: their actions and impact.

The significance of British policies. American opposition to the Stamp Act. The Sons of Liberty and the Boston Massacre (1770).

British and American relations: the Boston Tea Party (1773) and the Intolerable Acts (1774).

The significance of the First and Second Continental Congresses, 1774–75.

The influence of Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. The significance of the Declaration of Independence. The role of Thomas Jefferson

Key American victories: Saratoga (1777) and Yorktown (1781). The significance of Washington’s role, British mistakes, and French and Spanish involvement in the war.

The Peace of Paris (1783), including the role of Franklin.

The significance of the Declaration of Independence for slavery

The consequences of the war for the Native Americans.

The impact of the war on Loyalists, including their resettlement in Nova Scotia and Niagara.