Life in North America

Question 1

What was the main religion in the French and Spanish colonies?

Answer 1

Catholicism

Question 2

What was the main religion in the British colonies?

Answer 2

Protestantism

Question 3

Which colonies allowed for more religious freedom?

Answer 3

The British Colonies

Question 4

What was the population of the British colonies by 1763?

Answer 4

2 million

Question 5

Which colonies were ruled by absolutist monarchies?

Answer 5

French and Spanish

Question 6

Why was the relationship with Native Americans important?

Answer 6

• They knew the best hunting and fishing grounds
• They conducted guerrilla warfare
• They were a powerful force West of the Appalachians

Question 7

How many colonies did the British control?

Answer 7

Thirteen

Question 8

Who were indentured servants?

Answer 8

Colonists who gained free passage across the Atlantic by entering into a contract to provide labour for a number of years

Question 9

How many white immigrants during the colonial period were indentured servants?

Answer 9

Between 1/2 and 2/3

Question 10

How many enslaved Africans lived in the Thirteen Colonies?

Answer 10

350,000 by 1763

Question 11

What % of enslaved Africans lived in the Southern Colonies?

Answer 11

90%

Question 12

What was the role of the Governor in British colonies?

Answer 12

• Internal administration and law enforcement
• Granting of lands
• Military activity

Question 13

What was the role of the colonial legislature/assemblies?

Answer 13

• Responsible for controlling the budget
• Agreed taxes
• Represented the interests of the population

Question 14

Who could vote in the Thirteen Colonies?

Answer 14

• Between 50%-80% of white male adults.
• Property owners

Question 15

What were Charters?

Answer 15

Formal documents which tied the colonies to Britain. I.e. governors were directly appointed by the Monarch.

Question 16

What was Salutary Neglect?

Answer 16

The notion that the colonists would be ‘left to their own devices’ to avoid trouble. Would be challenged after the 7 Years’ War.

Question 17

What were the regions of the Thirteen Colonies?

Answer 17

• New England Colonies
• Middle Colonies
• Southern Colonies

Question 18

Which Colonies were heavily reliant on slave labour?

Answer 18

Southern Colonies

Question 19

Which crop was the mainstay of the Southern Colonies?

Answer 19

Tobacco (exports worth £100 million by 1770)

Question 20

What was Mercantilism?

Answer 20

The belief that colonies existed essentially to serve the economic interests of the mother country

Question 21

What are some examples of Mercantilism in action?

Answer 21

• 1651 and 1673 Trade and Navigation Acts
• The Hat Act (1732)
• The Iron Act (1750)

Question 22

Why was Mercantilism not a big issue for colonists prior to 1763?

Answer 22

Despite high taxes, the laws were poorly enforced and smuggling was common

Question 23

Who were ‘planters’?

Answer 23

Wealthy Southern landowners who owned more than twenty slaves

Question 24

What % of free males were farmers in society?

Answer 24

80%

Question 25

By 1763 what % of white male American adults were literate?

Answer 25

75%