Reasons for Exploration
Why were Europeans originally motivated to travel to Asia?
To trade goods for profit
What territory did Spain control that became known as New Spain?
Much of North and South America
Why were English colonies established in North America?
Economic, religious, social, and political reasons
Why were farms small in New England?
Rocky soil and long, cold winters
What was the purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
To establish self-government
What valuable items from Asia increased European interest in exploration?
Spices, salt, silks, and jewels
Which present-day areas were part of New Spain?
California, Texas, and Florida
Why did the Pilgrims leave England?
To escape religious persecution
What natural feature helped New England develop trade?
Deep natural harbors
What is mercantilism?
An economic system where colonies benefit the mother country
Why did Europeans search for water routes instead of land routes to Asia?
Water routes were faster and cheaper
Why did Spain send conquistadors to the New World?
To gain land and gold
Why was Maryland founded?
To provide a safe place for Catholics
What jobs were common in New England?
Fishing, shipbuilding, and trade
What system allows people to elect leaders to make laws?
Representative government
What three goals motivated European exploration besides trade?
Become wealthier, spread religion, and build empires
(God, Gold, Glory)
What economic activity was most important to French colonies?
The fur trade
Who founded Maryland as a refuge for Catholics?
Lord Baltimore
Why were plantations common in the Southern colonies?
Fertile soil and long growing seasons
What was the first representative legislature in the colonies?
Virginia House of Burgesses
Why were spices especially valuable in Europe during this time?
They helped preserve food
How was French colonization different from Spanish colonization?
France focused more on trade than settlement
Why were Virginia and the Carolinas established?
Economic reasons
Why did Southern colonies rely on enslaved labor?
Plantation farming required large labor forces
Why did colonists grow frustrated with mercantilism?
It limited their economic freedom