Part 2: The American Colonies Flashcards
1
Q
Mayflower Compact (1620)
A
The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony.
2
Q
William Bradford
A
A pilgrim, the second governor of the Plymouth colony, 1621-1657. He developed private land ownership and helped colonists get out of debt. He helped the colony survive droughts, crop failures, and Indian attacks.
3
Q
Pilgrims
A
Separatists who believed that the Church of England could not be reformed. Separatist groups were illegal in England, so the Pilgrims fled to America and settled in Plymouth
4
Q
Puritans
A
Non-separatists who wished to adopt reforms to purify the Church of England. They received a right to settle in the Massachusetts Bay area from the King of England.
5
Q
Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629)
A
King Charles gave the Puritans a right to settle and govern a colony in the Massachusetts Bay area. The colony established political freedom and a representative government.
6
Q
Cambridge Agreement (1629)
A
The Puritan stockholders of the Massachusetts Bay Company agreed to emigrate to New England on the condition that they would have control of the colony
7
Q
Puritan migration
A
Many Puritans emigrated from England to America in the 1630s and 1640s. During this time, the population of the Massachussetts Bay colony grew to 10 times its earlier population.
8
Q
Church of England (Anglican Church)
A
The national church of England, founded by King Henry VIII. It included both Roman Catholic and Protestant ideas.
9
Q
John Winthrop and his beliefs
A
Became the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony. Puritan with strong religious beliefs. He opposed total democracy, believing the colony was best governed by a small group of skillful leaders. Helped organize the New England Confederation and served as its first president.
10
Q
Calvinism
A
Protestant sect founded by John Calvin. Emphasized a strong moral code and belief in predestination. Calvinists supported constitutional representative government and the separation of church and state.
11
Q
Congregational Church origins
A
Founded by separatists who felt that the Church of England retained too many Roman Catholic beliefs and practices.
12
Q
Anne Hutchinson and antinomianism
A
She preached the idea that God communicated directly to individuals instead of through the church elders. Forced to leave MA in 1637. Her followers (antinomianists) founded Portsmouth in 1639.
13
Q
Roger Williams
A
Left Massachusetts in 1635 and purchased land from a neighboring Indian tribe to found Rhode Island. Only colony at that time to offer complete religious freedom.
14
Q
Covenant theology
A
Puritan teachings emphasized the biblical covenants: God’s covenants with Adam and with Noah, the covenant of grace between God and man through Christ
15
Q
Voting in Massachusetts Bay Colony
A
Massachusetts general court passed an act to limit voting rights to church members
16
Q
Half-way Covenant
A
To combat the decline in conversions, the children of existing members could be admitted to baptism, but not full communion
17
Q
Brattle Street Church
A
Founded by Thomas Brattle. His church did not require people to prove they had achieved grace to become full church members
18
Q
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
A
Set up a unified government for the towns of the Connecticut area (Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield), founded by Thomas Hooker. First constitution written in America.
19
Q
Massachusetts school Law
A
First public education legislation in America. Declared towns with over 100 families had to found a grammar school.
20
Q
Harvard
A
Founded in 1636 by a grant from the Massachusetts general court. Followed Puritan beliefs
21
Q
New England Confederation (1643)
A
Formed to provide for the defense of the four New England colonies (Bay Colony, Plymouth, New Haven, and scattered CT valley settlements), and acted as a court in disputes between colonies
22
Q
King Philip’s (Metacom) War (1675)
A
Series of battles in New Hampshire between the colonists and the Wompanowogs, led by a chief known as King Phillip. War started when the Massachusetts government tried to assert court jurisdiction over the local Indians. The colonists won with the help of the Mohawks, and this victory opened up additional Indian lands for expansion. Virtually ended Native resistance in New England.
23
Q
Dominion of New England (1686)
A
British government combined New York, New Jersey, and the New England colonies into a single province headed by Royal Gov. Andros. Dominion ended in 1692 when the colonists revolted and drove out Andros.
24
Q
Sir Edmond Andros
A
Governor of the Dominion of New England until the colonists rebelled and forced him to return to England.
25
Joint stock company
A company made up of a group of shareholders. Each shareholder contributes some money to the company and receives some share of the company's profits and debts.
26
Virginia: purpose, problems, failures, successes
Virginia was formed by the Virginia Company as a profit-earning venture. Starvation was the major problem- about 90% of the colonists died the first year. The survivors and the company had trouble attracting new colonists. They offered private land ownership in the colony to attract settlers, but the Virginia Company eventually went bankrupt and the colony went to the crown. Virginia did not become a successful colony until the colonists started raising and exporting tobacco
27
Headright system
Headrights were parcels of land consisting of about 50 acres which were given to colonists who brought indentured servants into America. They were used by the Virginia Company to attract more colonists.
28
John Smith
Helped found and govern Jamestown. His leadership and strict discipline helped the Virginia colony get through the difficult first winter.
29
John Rolfe
English settler at Jamestown, married Pocahontas. Discovered how to successfully grow tobacco in Virginia and cure it for export, which made Virginia an economically successful colony
30
House of Burgesses (1619)
Virginia House of Burgesses is the firs legislative body in colonial America.
31
Bacon's Rebellion (1676)
Nathaniel Bacon and other western Virginia settlers were angry at Governor Berkeley for trying to appease the Indians after they attacked the western settlements. The frontiersmen formed an army, which defeated the Indians and then burned Jamestown. Suddenly ended when Bacon died of an illness
32
Culperer's Rebellion
Led by Culperer, the Alpemark colony rebelled against its English governor, Thomas Miller. The rebellion was crushed, but Culperer was acquitted.
33
Georgia: Reasons, successes (1733)
Formed as a buffer between the Carolinas and Spanish-held Florida. A military-style colony which also served as a haven for the poor, criminals, and persecuted Protestants
34
James Oglethorpe
Founder and governor of the Georgia colony. Ran a tightly-disciplined, military-like colony. Forbid slaves, alcohol, and Catholicism. Many felt he was a dictator, which caused the colony to break down and Oglethorpe to lose his position.
35
Carolinas (1665)
Charles II granted this land to pay off a debt to some supporters. They instituted headrights and a representative government to attract colonists. The southern region of the Carolinas grew rich off its ties to the sugar islands, while the poorer northern region was composed mainly of farmers. The conflicts between the regions eventually led to the split into North/South Carolina.
36
John Locke
Locke was a British political theorist who wrote the Fundamental Constitution for the Carolinas, but it was never put into effect. The constitution would have set up a feudalistic governement headed by an aristocracy.
37
Charleston (1690)
First permanent settlement in the Carolinas, named in honor of King Charles II. Much of the population were Huguenot (French Protestant) refugees
38
Staple crops in the colonies
Tobacco: Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina
Rice: South Carolina, Georgia
Indigo: South Carolina
39
Pennsylvania origins (1681)
William Penn received a land grant from King Charles II, and used it to form a colony that would provide a haven for Quakers. His colony allowed religious freedom
40
Liberal land laws in Pennsylvania
Penn allowed anyone to emigrate to Pennsylvania, in order to provide a haven for persecuted religions
41
Pennsylvania "Holy experiment"
Penn's term for the government of Pennsylvania, which was supposed to serve everyone and provide freedom for all
42
Frame of government (1701)
The Charter of Liberties set up the government for the Pennsylvania colony. It established representative government and allowed counties to form their own colonies.
43
New York origins
Belonged to the Dutch, but King Charles II gave the land to his brother, the Duke of York in 1664, When the British came to take the colony, the Dutch, who hated their Governor Stuyvesant, quickly surrendered. The Dutch retook the colony in 1673, but the British regained it in 1674.
44
Patron system
Patronships were offered to individuals who managed to build a settlement of at least 50 people in 4 years. Few did.
45
Peter Stuyvesant
Governor of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, hated by the colonists. They surrendered the colony to the English.
46
Five Nations
Federation of tribes in Northern NY: Mohawk, Oneida, Senecca, Ondondaga, Cayuga. Some ideas from its Constitution were used in the US Constitution.
47
Crops in the middle colonies
Grain and corn
48
New York as an urban center
Harbors and rivers made it an important center for trade
49
Philidelphia
Center for trade and crafts, and attracted a large number of immigrants, so that by 1720 it had a population of 10,000. Capital of PA.
50
Leisler's Rebellion (1689)
When King James II was dethroned and replaced by King William, the colonists of NY rebelled and made Jacob Leisler, a militia officer, governor of New York. Leisler was hanged for treason when royal authority was reinstated in 1691.
51
Benjamin Franklin
Printer, author, inventor, diplomat, statesman, and Founding Father. One of the few Americans who was highly respected in Europe, primarily due to his discoveries in the field of electricity
52
John Bartram
America's first botanist. Traveled through the frontier collecting specimens.
53
Pennsylvania established church
William Penn wanted to provide protection for Quakers. Attracted religious outcasts
54
Maryland established church
Formed as a colony where Catholics would be free from persecution
55
Rhode Island established church
Formed to provide a haven for all persecuted religions, including all Christian denominations and Jews
56
Great Awakening (1739-1744)
Puritanism had declined by the 1730s, and people were upset about the decline in religious piety. Sudden outbreak of religious fervor that swept through the colonies. Unified the colonies. Undermined older clergy, and encouraged missionary work. Greater competition to attract followers.
57
George Whitefield
Revivalist preacher. Traveled east to west over conies. Gave rousing sermons on the torments of the damned, and stressed God would only save those who openly professed belief in Jesus.
58
Johnathan Edwards
Initiated Great Awakening. Revivalist preacher who argued God was rightfully angry with human sinfulness
59
Old Lights vs. New Lights
"New lights" were new religious movements formed during the Great Awakening and broke away from the Congregational Church in New England. "Old lights: were the established Congregational Church.
60
Lord Baltimore
Founded the colony of Maryland and offered religious freedom to all Christina colonists, because he knew that members of his own religion (Catholicism) would be a minority in the colony.
61
Maryland Act of Religious Toleration (1649)
Ordered by Lord Baltimore after a Protestant was made governor of Maryland at the demand of the colony's large Protestant population. Guaranteed religious freedom to all Christians.
62
Deism
Followers believed God existed and had created the world, but that afterwards He left it to run by its own natural laws. Denied that God communicated to man or in any way influenced his life.
63
Huguenots
French Protestants. The Edict of Nantes freed them from persecution in France, but when it was revoked in the late 1700s, hundreds of thousands of Huguenots fled to other countries, including America.
64
Admiralty courts
British courts established to try cases involving smuggling or violations of the Navigation Acts. heard by judges without a jury.
65
Triangular Trade
Backbone of New England economy. Ships from NE sailed to Africa, exchanging rum for slaves. Slaves shipped from Africa to the Caribbean. In Caribbean, slaves traded for sugar and molasses. Ships returned to NE, where molasses was used to make rum.
66
Molasses Act (1733)
British legislation which taxed all molasses, rum, and sugar which the colonies imported from non-British countries. Angered New England, which imported a lot of molasses from the Caribbean. British had a hard time enforcing it- most colonists ignored it
67
Currency Act (1754)
Banned the production of paper money in the colonies in an effort to combat the inflation caused by Virginia's decision to get itself out of debt by issuing more paper money.
68
Salem witch trials
Accusations of witchcraft led to sensational trials in Salem, Massachusetts. 18 people hanged as witches. After, most people involved admitted the trials had been a horrible mistake.
69
Primogeniture
2 British doctrines governing the inheritance of property. Required that a man's real property pass its entirety to his oldest son.
70
Indentured servants
People who could not afford passage to the colonies could become indentured servants. Another person would pay their passage, and in exchange, the servant would serve that person for a set length of time
71
Magna Carta
An English document drawn up by nobles under King John, which limited the power of the King. Later influenced the British and American constitutions.
72
Petition of Right (1628)
Document drawn up by House of Commons listing grievances against King Charles I and extending Parliament's powers while limiting the king's.
73
Habeas Corpus Act
Allowed a person who had been arrested to challenge the legality of his arrest or confinement
74
Robert Walpole
Prime minister of Britain. Position toward the colonies was salutary neglect.
75
Salutary neglect
PM Warpole primarily concerned with British affairs and believed unrestricted trade in the colonies would be more profitable for England than would taxation of the colonies
76
Town meetings
Most prevalent, democratic form of government in New England. People in the town would regularly meet, often in the church, to vote directly on issues.
77
3 types of colonies
Corporate (operated by joint-stock companies), royal (under direct rule from king), and proprietary (under authority of people granted charters by the king)
78
Chesapeake colonies
Virginia and Maryland
79
Southern colonies
South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia
80
New England colonies
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire
81
Middle colonies
New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey
82
Chesapeake social hierarchy
"1st family" plantation ownersYeoman "headright system" farmersIndentured servantsBlack slavesAmerican Indians
83
Southern social hierarchy
Gentry plantation ownersGentry wivesYeoman farmersLandless whitesBlack slavesAmerican Indians
84
New England social hierarchy
GodMinisters"Saved/elected" citizens"Unsaved/elected" individualsAmerican Indians
85
Middle social hierarchy
Had little social stratification, and accepted just about all ethnicities and religions
86
Chesapeake quality of life concerns
Malaria, dysentery, and typhoid cut 10 years off life expectancy. Huge influx of single male immigrants had a hard time finding wives. Marriages destroyed by death
87
Indentured servant's futures
As prime land became scarcer, were given less land in "freedom dues". Penniless freed workers often had no choice but to hire themselves out to their former masters.
88
Slavery in Chesapeake
Somewhat better than South.Tobacco plantations closer together, and less physically demanding. More contact with friends and relatives, and population grew through natural reproduction
89
New England family life
Migrated as families rather than individuals, so natural reproduction increased populations. Early marriage increased childbirth. Children learned from their parents and grandparents.
90
Women's rights in New England
Women gave up property rights at marriageCouldn't voteSeen as weaker than menIllegal for men to abuse wivesDivorce rare, adultery illegal
91
New England town growth
Towns legally chartered, then land was given to proprietors. Proprietors and families moved to designated place and laid out town with meetinghouse surrounded by houses, and village green. Each family received several parcels of land, with a woodlot for fuel, a place to grow crops, and pastures for animals. Towns w/ 50+ families required to have a school
92
Jeremiad
New form of Puritan sermon- preachers scolded parishioners for their waning piety.
93
Stono Rebellion
Resentful South Carolina blacks along the Stono River revolted in 1739 and tried to march to Spanish Florida, only to be stopped by the local militia
94
Anglican faith
Church of England- major prop of Kingly authority. Fell distressingly short of its promise. Official faith of GA, NC, SC, VA, MD, and part of NY
95
Peter Zenger trial
Zenger (New York editor/publisher) charged with libel for assailing the corrupt NY royal governor. Found innocent, because he only told the truth. Encouraged newspapers to take greater risks in criticizing governments.
96
Quebec
Beginning of French empire founded by Champlain
97
Samuel de Champlain
Entered into alliances with the Huron and other Native American tribes
98
Henry Hudson
Dutch explorer who discovered and named the Hudson river
99
King William's War/Queen Anne's War
Guerilla war between France (and ally Spain) and Britain, each side recruiting whatever Indian allies they could. France badly lost.
100
King Henry VIII
Broke away from the Catholic Church, ushering decades of conflict between Protestants and Catholics
101
Sir Francis Drake
Plundered his way around the globe, returning with tons of Spanish booty. Queen Elizabeth secretly received some of his profits. Helped England become a world power.
102
Sir Walter Raleigh
Organized expedition to Roanoke. After several false starts, it mysteriously vanished.
103
Spanish Armada
"Invincible armada" created by Phillip II of Spain. Destroyed my more maneuverable British crafts. Beginning of the end of Spain's imperial dreams
104
Significance of the 1604 treaty between Spain and Britain
Signaled the rise of a nation bursting with patriotism and Protestantism, ready to plant a new world empire
105
Virginia Joint-Stock Company
Received charter from King James I to establish Jamestown
106
War of Jenkins' Ear
Started when Spanish cut off British captain Jenkins' ear. Confined to Caribbean Sea and Georgia. Eventually merged with King George's War.
107
King George's War
France and Spain fought Britain. James Oglethorpe led army that fought Spanish. British and New Englanders captured significant French fortress of Louisbourg. Treaty at end of war gave Louisbourg back to France, in exchange for British gains in India.
108
Glorious Revolution
Removed James II from the English trone and replaced him with William of Orange, who supported a parliamentary system. Inspired colonists to revolt against Andros.
109
Treaty of Utrecht
End King William's/Queen Anne's Wars. France had to give Britain Newfoundland, Acadia (Nova Scotia), territory along Hudson Bay, and more access to the Great Lakes region
110
John Davenport
Started the second settlement in the Connecticut Valley, New Haven
111
New Hampshire origins
To increase royal control over the colonies, King Charles separated New Hampshire from the Bay colony and made it a royal colony
112
New Jersey origins
King gave a section of NY to friend Lord Berkeley and Sir Carteret. Eventually given to proprietors.
113
Quakers
Believed in the equality of both sexes, non-violence, and resistance to military service. Felt religious authority was found in one's soul- not the bible.
114
Deleware origins
Penn granted lower 3 counties of Pennsylvania their own assembly.
115
Mercantilism
European economic policy stating trade colonies, and wealth are the basis for military and political strength. Colonies to provide raw materials to parent country to support industries. Colonies only exist to enrich parent countries.
116
Navigation Acts
English government attempt to promote mercantilism:
1. Trade to/from colonies must be carried in English ships with English crews
2. Goods imported to colonies could only pass through English ports
3. Specific goods from colonies could only be exported to england
117
Benefits of Navigation Acts
New England shipbuilding prospered, Chesapeake tobacco had monopoly in England, English military protected colonies from French/Spanish attacks
118
Drawbacks of Navigation Acts
Colonial manufacturing limited, Chesapeake farmers received low prices for their crops, Colonists had to pay high prices for English goods
119
What caused increased demand for slaves in the colonies?
Reduced immigration from England
More dependable and controllable than indentured servants (Bacon)
Cheaper labor as tobacco prices fell, and rice and indigo became more valuable.
120
Role of women in New England family
Bore many children and educated them. Had limited legal and political rights, and divorce was rare. Mutual dependence with husbands gave protection from abuse.
121
New England economy
Rock soil and long winters limited farming to subsistence levels. Profited from logging, shipbuilding, fishing, trading, and rum-distilling.
122
Scots-Irish immigrants
Came from Northern Ireland, and had little respect for the British government. Settled along western frontier of colonies.
123
Middle colony economies
Rich soil benefitted wheat/corn farming for export to Europe and West Indies. Indentured servants provided labor. Iron industry developed. Trading helped develop cities like Philadelphia and New York.
124
Southern colony economies
Farming from subsistence to plantations. Cash crops were tobacco in Chesapeake/NC, and rice and indigo in SC/Georgia. Slaves provided labor. Exported timber and naval stores.
125
Taverns
Provided food and lodging for travelers, and served as social centers where news was exchanged and politics discussed.
126
Established churches in colonies
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Church of England/Anglican Church (Virginia)
Congregational Church (Massachusetts/Connecticut)
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127
Anglican Church makeup
Prosperous farmers and merchants in New York, and plantation owners in Virginia and the Carolinas
128
Congregationalist makeup
Mainly New Englanders
129
Poor Richard's Almanack
Bestselling book by Benjamin Franklin
130
First colleges founded to train ministry candidates
Harvard (Puritans), William and Mary (Anglicans), Yale (Congregationalists)
131
Physicians
Treated colonists with cures that made matters worse. Bled the sick, often with leeches. Little medical training.
132
Lawyers
Seen as troublemakers. Gained respect in 1760s and 1770s when they argued for colonial rights.
133
French and Indian War origin
French building forts in Ohio River Valley- key to connecting Canadian and Mississippi Valley holdings. British were alarmed. Group of British speculator, including Washington family, secured shaky rights to 500,000 acres in the region. Washington sent to Ohio with 150 militiamen.
134
Fort Duquesne
Strategic French fort in the Ohio Valley. When Washington's militia reached it, they fired the first shots of the French and Indian War. Killed the French leader. French returned and surrounded Washington in his Fort Necessity. Forced to surrender after a 10 hour siege.
135
Cajuns
Culture developed from French Acadians deported by British fearing a stab in the back.
136
British advantage over French
The French waste so many troops in the European bloodbath (Frederick the Great) that they didn't have enough for the New World- "America was won in Germany"
137
Albany Congress
Intercolonial congress summoned by the British government to Albany. Delegates from 7 of 13 colonies showed up. Immediate purpose was to keep the Iroquois loyal to British. Chiefs given gifts. Long-range purpose to achieve colonial unity to bolster defense against France. Franklin leading spirit.
138
Outcome of the Albany Congress
Unanimously adopted Franklin's plan for home rule. Individual colonies did not support it, because it did not seem to give enough independence. British officials felt it gave too much independence.
139
Braddock incident
60 year old Gen. Braddock's forces were annihilated by a smaller group of French and Indians outside Pittsburgh. Exposed colonists to the brutalities of war.
140
Pitt's Victory
William Pitt, loved by everyone, turned British fortunes. After turning the tide of war at Louisbourg, the Battle of Quebec and Fall of Montreal paved the way to end the war.
141
Treaty of Paris (1963)
Ended the French and Indian War. Britain inherited all French territory in North America and took Florida from Spain. Spain inherited all land west of the Mississippi and relieved Britain of Cuba.
142
Effects of French and Indian War on Americans
Dismayed by British refusal to regard Americans as higher than captains, and how they saw Americans as the scum of the empire.
Led to revenue taxes on colonies
143
Pontiac's rebellion
Chief Pontiac led a major attack on the western frontier in retaliation for western movement of settlers. British distributed smallpox infected blankets.
144
Proclamation of 1763
Prohibited colonists from crossing the Appalachians. Designed to work out the Indian problem and prevent further uprising. Americans dismayed and angered.
145
Status of women in colonial America
Lost control of property after marriage
Had no separate legal rights apart from husband
Single women and widows could own property
146
Anne Bradstreet
First notable American poet and first woman to be published in colonial America
147
Phillis Wheatley
First published African-American poet. Helped create the genre of African-American literature.
