colonial quiz Flashcards
what is the geography of the new england colonies?
Cold Winters, rocky soil, short growing seasons, mountains, forests, rivers, many natural harbors
who are the early colonists of the new england colonies
English Pilgrims
Mostly English Puritans
what is the economy like in the new england colonies
Diverse Economy, small scale farming, fishing, whaling, fur trade, shipbuilding, lumber, trade (COMMERCE)
what is the lifestlye of the new england colonies
High Literacy level,
“protestant work ethic,” town hall meetings, highly religious
Several colonial colleges: Harvard (oldest), Yale, Dartmouth
what are the influences on government in the new england colonies
town hall meetings
1620: Mayflower Compact (see reading)
1639: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
what are the 4 new england colonies
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire
what is the geography of the southern colonies
mild winters, long growing season, fertile soil, tidal rivers, wide coastal plain
who are the early colonists of the southern colonies
English
Enslaved Africans
indentured servants (see reading!)
what is the economy like in the southern colonies
Highly agricultural, large plantations which used indentured servants and slave labor to produce cash crops: tobacco, rice and indigo (later cotton) $$
whats the lifestyle in the southern colonies
Self sufficient plantation life, few cities, least populated and developed region
Small farmers were actually the largest social group
what are the influences on government in the southern colonies
**1619: Virginia House of Burgesses- 1st elected general assembly in colonies
1649: Act of Toleration MD (religious freedom)
what are the 5 southern colonies?
virginia, maryland, north carolina, south carolina, georgia
whats the geography in the middle colonies
less severe winters, fertile soil, many rivers, natural harbors, moderate climate
who were the early colonists in the middle colonies
Dutch, English, Welsh, Germans, Scots-Irish, Swedes, French, Irish
Quakers- William Penn
whats the economy like in the middle colonies
Medium scale farming for cash crops of wheat, corn, flax, fur trade, COMMERCE (Trade), crafts, industry
whats the lifestyle in the middle colonies
Most colonial-regional DIVERSITY in religion and nationalities
Colonial Colleges: Princeton, Columbia, Rutgers, Penn
what are the influences on government in the middle colonies
1683: NY Charter of Liberties
what are the 4 middle colonies
new york, new jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware
whats the mayflower compact
the mayflower compact is a document that helped unite the pilgrims when they first came to the new world. the original document was lost, but the writings of william bradford and edward winslow’s journals are in agreement and are accepted as accurate. they were two people that were also there.
what was the significance of the mayflower compact
It was created to create a social contract, a self government that contained the consent of the governed. first streaks of democracy in America.
who created the mayflower compact
It was created by 102 people on the mayflower ship, being 41 pilgrims and 61 non-pilgrims (strangers)
why was the mayflower compact created?
to govern the colony, to unite the saints and strangers. at this point in history they were cut off from the government and law, and needed a system of government before they got off the mayflower (the ship they arrived on)
who are the indentured servants?
indentured servants was a concept developed by the virginia company for cheap labor. It was for poor europeans who wanted to go to the new world but didn’t have the money. they had to work for 4-7 yrs in exchange for passage, room, boarding, lodging and freedom dues. indentured servitude was hrash and restrictive, but wasnt actual slavery as it was their own will.
what role did indentured servants play in the colony
they were the main labor force of the colonies alongside slaves. they were cheap labor. as demand for labor grew, so did the cost of a indentured servant. this led to land owners turning to the more cost effective african slaves.
why did indentured servitude come to an end
landowners were turning to more cost effective african slaves, as they had a lot less rights and freedoms then indentured servants, and were thus cheaper, and more reliable. the price of indentured servants was also rising. as soon as this started, indentured servitude went on a downward spiral until it eventually became extinct.
