Chapter 2: American Experiments

Question 1

chattel slavery

Answer 1

the ownership of human beings as property

Question 2

neo-Europes

Answer 2

a type of colony where colonist tried to replicate the economy and social structure from home

Question 3

Columbian Exchange

Answer 3

a transformative global process that began after Christopher Columbus’s voyages in 1492, involving the widespread exchange of plants, animals, culture, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Question 4

outwork

Answer 4

A system of manufacturing, also known as putting out, used extensively in the English woolen industry in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Merchants bought wool and then hired landless peasants who lived in small cottages to spin and weave it into cloth, which the merchants would sell in English and foreign markets

Question 5

mercantilism

Answer 5

Mercantilism is an economic theory and practice that originated in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries. It emphasizes the accumulation of wealth through trade, particularly through a favorable balance of trade, where a country exports more than it imports. The goal is to increase a nation’s economic power and promote its self-sufficiency.

Question 6

The House of Burgesses

Answer 6

the first elected legislative assembly in the American colonies, established in the Virginia Colony in 1619

Additional Information: It played a crucial role in colonial self-governance. It allowed representatives to make laws and decisions on behalf of the colony’s inhabitants, setting a precedent for representative democracy in the New World. This institution laid the groundwork for the development of democratic practices and governance structures in the future United States.

Question 7

royal colony

Answer 7

a type of colonial administration in which a colony was directly controlled and governed by the monarch or the crown of the ruling country.
Additional Information: the monarch appointed a royal governor to oversee the colony’s affairs and represent the crown’s interests. This form of colonial administration was common during the Age of Exploration and was characterized by a more centralized authority and direct control from the ruling country. The governance structure and relationship between the colony and the ruling country varied, but generally, the colony’s laws and policies were subject to approval or intervention by the monarch.

Question 8

freeholds

Answer 8

landownership arrangements in colonial America where individuals or families owned land outright, granting them full property rights and independence from feudal obligations

Question 9

headright system

Answer 9

a land distribution method used in colonial America, particularly in Virginia and other Southern colonies, where land grants were given to individuals based on the number of people they brought to the colony

Question 10

Indentured servitude

Answer 10

a labor system in colonial America where individuals, often in exchange for passage to the New World, would agree to work for a specific period (usually several years) under a contract known as an indenture

Question 11

Pilgrims

Answer 11

English Separatists who traveled to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620 seeking religious freedom and the opportunity to establish a new society based on their beliefs

Question 12

Puritans

Answer 12

a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to “purify” the Church of England from what they considered to be remnants of Roman Catholic practices

Question 13

joint-stock corporation

Answer 13

a business organization in which multiple individuals invest capital by purchasing shares of stock, thus becoming partial owners of the company and sharing in its profits and losses

Question 14

predestination

Answer 14

a theological doctrine that asserts that before the creation of the world, God has already chosen certain individuals for salvation and others for damnation, regardless of their actions or choices.

Additional Information: a central tenet of the Reformed theology promoted by John Calvin during the Protestant Reformation. It emphasized God’s sovereignty in determining the eternal fate of individuals. This doctrine had a significant influence on religious thought, shaping the beliefs of various Protestant denominations and impacting discussions about free will, divine grace, and salvation
also played a role in the development of Puritanism and other religious movements in early colonial America.

Question 15

toleration

Question 16

covenant of works

Answer 16

a theological concept that represents the pre-Fall arrangement between God and humanity, where obedience to God’s commands would result in eternal life.

Additional Information: The concept is often associated with certain interpretations of biblical passages, particularly in the context of the Garden of Eden. It highlights the idea that Adam and Eve’s obedience to God’s command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge would have secured their eternal life. However, their disobedience led to the “Fall of Man” and the introduction of sin and mortality. This theological concept has been significant in discussions about human nature, sin, and redemption within various Christian traditions.

Question 17

covenant of grace

Answer 17

a theological concept that represents the promise of salvation extended to humanity through faith in Jesus Christ, emphasizing God’s mercy and forgiveness despite human sinfulness.

Additional Information: a central theme in many Christian traditions, highlighting God’s unmerited favor and love towards humanity. It contrasts with the Covenant of Works, where salvation was based on human obedience. salvation is considered a gift from God, attainable through faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This concept is foundational to the teachings of the New Testament and has played a significant role in shaping Christian theology and understanding of salvation.

Question 18

town meeting

Answer 18

An assembly of people in a New England town that made laws and elected leaders

Question 19

Philip II

Answer 19

a powerful ruler who reigned as King of Spain from 1556 to 1598, known for his role in expanding Spanish influence and for his strong commitment to Catholicism.

Additional Information: a key figure during the Age of Exploration and the Counter-Reformation. He aimed to consolidate Catholic power, often engaging in conflicts against Protestantism and other rivals. His marriage to Queen Mary I of England led to the temporary union of England and Spain. His empire included vast territories in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, making Spain a global superpower during his reign. His rule left a lasting impact on Spanish and European history, shaping international politics and religious dynamics of the time.

Question 20

Francis Drake

Answer 20

an English sea captain, privateer, explorer, and naval hero known for his daring voyages, circumnavigation of the globe, and involvement in naval battles against the Spanish Armada.

Additional Information: celebrated for his contributions to England’s naval prowess during the late 16th century, he conducted successful raids against Spanish colonies and treasure ships, amassing significant wealth for England. His circumnavigation of the globe (1577-1580) marked a historic achievement and contributed to the knowledge of global geography. During the Spanish Armada conflict, he played a vital role in defending England against the Spanish fleet in 1588. His legacy as a seafarer and his impact on English maritime power have solidified his place in history.

Question 21

Opechancanough

Answer 21

a prominent Powhatan chief and leader of several Native American tribes in the Chesapeake Bay region during the early 17th century.

Additional Information: He is best known for his involvement in conflicts with English settlers in Virginia, particularly the Powhatan-English clashes known as the First Anglo-Powhatan War (1610-1614) and the Second Anglo-Powhatan War (1622-1632). He sought to resist the encroachment of English settlers on Native American lands. The attacks he organized against English settlements led to significant casualties on both sides. his efforts to defend his people’s interests against the expansion of English colonies highlight the complex interactions and conflicts that shaped the early history of European-Native American relations in the Americas.

Question 22

Lord Baltimore

Answer 22

an English nobleman who founded the colony of Maryland in the early 17th century as a haven for persecuted Catholics and a profitable venture.

Additional Information: was granted a charter by King Charles I in 1632, giving him control over the land that would become Maryland. He envisioned Maryland as a place where Catholics and Protestants could coexist peacefully and where religious freedom could flourish. The colony implemented the “Act Concerning Religion” in 1649, which provided a degree of religious tolerance to Christians of various denominations. His efforts to promote religious freedom and attract settlers had a lasting impact on the development of religious diversity and colonial society in Maryland.

Question 23

John Winthrop

Answer 23

an English Puritan lawyer, devout Christian, and a key figure in the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 17th century.

Additional Information: best known for his role as the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He famously delivered the sermon “A Model of Christian Charity,” in which he coined the phrase “City upon a Hill,” expressing the colony’s vision of being a shining example of a godly community. Under his leadership, the colony thrived, and he played a significant role in shaping its early laws and governance. Winthrop’s ideals and principles, rooted in Puritanism, left a lasting legacy on the development of New England society and American notions of civic responsibility and religious commitment.

Question 24

Roger Williams

Answer 24

an English theologian, minister, and founder of the colony of Rhode Island in the early 17th century.

Additional Information: best known for advocating for the separation of church and state and religious freedom. He believed that individuals should be free to practice their own religious beliefs without interference from the government. He was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony due to his dissenting views and founded Rhode Island as a refuge for religious outcasts and a place where religious tolerance was guaranteed. His ideas laid the groundwork for the principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state that would later be enshrined in the United States Constitution.

Question 25

Anne Hutchinson

Answer 25

an English Puritan woman who played a significant role in the religious and social history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 17th century.

Additional Information: known for her religious teachings and discussions that challenged the male religious authorities of her time. She held Bible studies in her home, criticizing the strict Puritan doctrines and emphasizing the concept of direct communication with God, which led to charges of heresy. Her ideas and growing popularity caused controversy, resulting in her banishment from the colony in 1637. She and her followers eventually settled in Rhode Island and then New York. Her stand for religious and intellectual freedom highlighted the tensions between individual beliefs and established religious authority in early colonial America.

Question 26

Metacom

Answer 26

a Wampanoag leader and chief who led a Native American alliance against English settlers in New England during King Philip’s War (1675-1676).

Additional Information: His efforts were driven by his concerns about the encroachment of English settlers on Native American lands and the loss of tribal autonomy. King Philip’s War was a devastating conflict that resulted in significant loss of life and property on both sides. The war marked a turning point in Native American-European relations in the region, with Native American communities facing widespread displacement and loss of sovereignty. His leadership and his alliance’s resistance have had a lasting impact on the history of colonial New England and the interactions between indigenous populations and European settlers.