Unit 1 Colonial America-Vocabulary

Question 1

Era

Answer 1

a period of time marked by distinctive characteristics

Question 2

relative chronology

Answer 2

a time when an event takes place in relation to other events

Question 3

absolute chronology

Answer 3

the ordering of events using exact dates

Question 4

contemporary

Answer 4

happening, existing, living or coming into being during the same period of time

Question 5

colony

Answer 5

a body of people living in a new territory, but retaining ties with the parent nation

Question 6

indentured servant

Answer 6

a person who signs and is bound by indentures to work for another person for a specific period of time in return for payment for travel expenses

Question 7

charter

Answer 7

a written contract given by a government giving the holder the right to establish a colony

Question 8

joint stock company

Answer 8

a business in which investors put their wealth together in order to share in the profits and losses

Question 9

mercantilism

Answer 9

the economic system with strict government regulations so that nations can increase their wealth. Colonies are created to provide raw materials and to serve as markets.

Question 10

emigrate

Answer 10

to leave one’s place of residence or country to live elsewhere. “e”—“exit

Question 11

self-government

Answer 11

a government under the control and direction of the people rather than by an outside authority

Question 12

compact

Answer 12

an agreement, or covenant, between two or more parties

Question 13

representative government

Answer 13

a form of government where a group of people elect others to make decisions on their behalf

Question 14

virtue

Answer 14

moral excellence; goodness; righteousness

Question 15

Parliament

Answer 15

the lawmaking body of Great Britain made up of the House of Commons and the House of Lords (bicameral)

Question 16

immigrant

Answer 16

a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence

Question 17

Enlightenment

Answer 17

a philosophical movement of the 18th Century, characterized by the belief in the power of human reason and by new developments in political, religious and educational doctrine

Question 18

plantation

Answer 18

a large farm or estate, in southern areas where cash crops like cotton, tobacco, sugar cane and the like, are grown usually by slaves

Question 19

ethnicity

Answer 19

having to do with the characteristics of a group of people relating to their race, religion, language and other traits

Question 20

Salutary Neglect

Answer 20

Britain’s unofficial but long lasting policy of not strictly enforcing its laws. It allowed the colonies to begin to feel independent of the Mother Country.