Periods 1-5: 1491-1877 Flashcards
Reasons for exploration
- Gold (trade/wealth)
- Glory (fame)
- God (religion)
Impacts on Europe by the Columbian Exchange
- Population growth
- Increased wealth
- Rise of capitalism
Impacts on Africa by the Columbian Exchange
- Slavery
Impacts on Natives by the Columbian Exchange
- Spread of disease
- Social classes formed
- Encomienda system
- The horse transformed Natives life
Caste system
A class structure that is defined by birth
Encomienda system
A system of forced labor imposed on indigenous workers by Spanish colonists
French exploration and conquest
- Had great territorial claims, but small settlements
- Main settlers: Fur traders and priests
- Had the best relationship with Native Americans of all European countries
New Netherland
- Most prominent commercial empire
- Fur trade
- Good relations with Natives
- One of the first territories to allow private worship
British exploration and conquest
- Built for profit and religious freedom
- Governors were sent over by England to rule over the colonies
- Did not want to convert Natives, but merely just wanted their land
- Touted religious freedom (Pilgrims and Puritans)
Where did the Spanish colonize?
- Mexico
- Present-day Florida
- South western part of South America
Where did the French colonize?
- Inland part of North America
- St. Lawrence River
Where did the British colonize?
- Canada
- The coast of the Atlantic Ocean
Why did British North America’s population grow?
- natural increase
- immigration
- the importation of slaves
Characteristics of men in colonial society
- Landowning
- Dominated politics
- Unlimited power in the home, given by English law
Characteristics of women in colonial society
- Average wife bore 8 children
- Domestic work
- Educated children
- Had limited legal and political rights
- Under English law, married women were considered to be under the protection of their husbands - this means they had no legal existence
New England’s economy
- Subsistence farming
- Ship building
- Fishing
- Trading
- Rum-distilling
The middle colonies’ economy
- Farmed wheat and corn
- Small manufacturing
- Trading
The southern colonies’ economy
- Agriculture varied - subsistence and commercial agriculture
- Tobacco, indigo, and rice were major crops
Self government in the colonies
Representative assemblies elected by eligible voters
Religious toleration in the colonies
Permitted the practice of different religions with varying degrees of freedom
Hereditary aristocracy in the colonies
Class system based on economics (not birth rights)
Social mobility of the colonies
- All had the opportunity to improve their standard of living and social status
- Exceptions included African Americans
Voting and colonial assemblies
- Women, blacks, and Native Americans could not vote
- Property qualifications excluded 40% of white males from voting
- Voter turnout in rural areas was low
- Colonies become increasingly self-governing
- Assemblies do not set trade regulations, print money, or declare war
Salutary neglect
- Britain’s lack of interest and presence in colonial politics allowed assemblies to take considerable power and left the colonies alone to govern themselves
- Colonies then became more self-sufficient and eventually led them to feelings of individuality that they feared losing
- This brings forth the Declaration of Independence and other events