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I understand how to show that $2$ is a primitive root of $q$, but I am not sure how to use this fact to show that it is a primitive root of $p$ (or whether I should at all).

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You're statement is false. Let $p=41, q=83$. Note that $$2^{41} \equiv \left( \frac{2}{83} \right) \equiv -1 \pmod {83}$$ By quadratic reciprocity and Euler's Criterion. But, $$2^{20} \equiv \left( \frac{2}{41}\right) \equiv 1 \pmod {41}$$ Thus $2$ is not a primitive root of $41$. You're wrong.

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    I am asking how to show that 2 is a primitive root of **p**, not q.2017-02-20
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    @alisa Then your statement is false.2017-02-20
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    Thank you. Must be an error in my book.2017-02-20
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    @aik Glad to be of assistance. I see you have changed you're profile name. Could you accept this answer?2017-02-20
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    @aik, Did you see my earlier comment?2017-02-20
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,By Fermat's Little Theorem $2^{q-1}\equiv1\,$mod $q$. The least number $m$ for which $2^m$ is 1 mod $q$ has to divide $q-1$. As $q-1$ has only $1,2,p,q-1$ as factors the statement follows.