Basics
In which two centuries did the colonial time period take place in the U.S.?
The 1600s and 1700s (17th and 18th century)
Which group were the first group of Europeans to explore the "New World" (not necessarily what is now the United States).
The Norse Vikings who landed in what is now Canada
Describe one common theme found in literature from the colonial time period.
Religious freedom/devotion, promotion of the New World, survival struggles, etc.
Is Puritanism a political party or a religious identity?
A religious identity
What is the first event in the colonial time period in 1607?
The establishment of Jamestown colony
Name one reason the colonial settlers came to America.
Religious freedom, escaping political persecution, economic opportunity, etc.
Who made up a large percentage of the colonial population?
English settlers were the largest percentage followed by German, Scots-Irish, and enslaved Africans
What is Anne Bradstreet widely known as?
The first (female) American poet.
Were the Puritans Protestant or Catholic Christians?
Protestant, they split because they felt the English Reformation (when a group of Christianity split from the influence of the Pope in Rome to form their own denomination of Christianity) didn't do enough to remove themselves from Roman Catholic traditions
What is the name of the famous ship that brough Pilgrims to the colonies in 1620?
Mayflower
Name two struggles that the colonists had during this time period.
Disease, starvation, conflict with the Native Americans, etc.
What was the first colony established in what is now the United States? Where was it?
Jamestown in Virginia
Who was the famous colonial writer who was also known as being an inventor and a Founding Father?
Benjamin Franklin
Rigid rules, no entertainment, no dancing, all actions in life should be in service to God
What disease brought by European settlers was running rampant from about 1616-1621 and killing many Native Americans?
Smallpox
What happened in 1962?
The Salem Witch Trials
Who was the first documented European settler who landed in what is now Florida?
Juan Ponce de Leon
What is the title of the famous work by John Smith that promotes the New World?
"The New Land" or "A Description of New England"
What did the Puritans believe about hardship (such as losing a loved one unexpectedly or violent weather that destroyed crops)?
It was a direct act from God to punish them for their sins
What famous war happened in the colonies prior to the Revolutionary War that further established British control over the colonies?
The French and Indian War
Who encouraged Europeans to move to the colonies in a hyperbolic piece of writing? What year did he write the piece in which he encouraged Europeans to move to the colonies?
John Smith, 1616
Describe, in detail, one interesting event that occurred during the colonial time period. You should be able to answer the 4 out of the 5 W's:
Who, What, When, Where, Why
Responses will vary
Name a well-known colonial writer AND the title of one of their works (cannot be John Smith or Anne Bradstreet).
Responses will vary
What college did the Puritans found?
Harvard, they felt strongly about literacy because they wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible
Describe one of the Founding Fathers and what he was famous for (cannot be Ben Franklin).
Answers will vary