Geography and Economy
Did the New England Colonies rely on farms and Plantations? Why or why not?
Rocky soil and a shorter growing season made large-scale farming harder, while forests and access to the Atlantic supported lumber, fishing, shipbuilding, and trade.
What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
The Pilgrims landed outside the area covered by their charter, so they wrote the Mayflower Compact to create rules and a basic government for Plymouth Colony.
What did Europeans bring to the Americas that wiped out many Native Americans?
European diseases. Native Americans had little immunity to many diseases brought from Europe, causing major population loss.
Which colonial region was known for having the most religious diversity and tolerance?
Middle Colonies
What were crops grown mainly to be sold for profit called?
Cash crops
Which region was known as the “Breadbasket,” and what made that possible?
The Middle Colonies; fertile soil and a moderate climate allowed them to grow lots of wheat and corn.
Match the country to its major motivation: Spain, France, England.
- God, gold, glory
- Fur trade
- Religious freedom, wealth, competition
Spain = God, gold, glory
France = Fur trade
England = Religious freedom, wealth, competition
Give one example of how Native Americans or Europeans helped each other.
They helped teach the Pilgrims how to grow food and farm in the new environment.
What religious group had the strongest influence in the New England colonies? (hint: this group had more resources than other groups.)
The Puritans
What is one major difference between an indentured servant and an enslaved person?
Indentured servants worked for a set number of years; enslaved people were generally enslaved for life.
Describe the climate & geography of the Southern Colonial region and explain how that lead to a an Economic activity/product in the South
Warm climate + long growing season → tobacco, rice, and indigo
Fertile soil → large farms and plantations
What was the culture centered in for the
New England Colonies?
Middle Colonies?
Southern Colonies?
New England was more centered in Puritan values
Middle Colonies were more religiously and culturally diverse
The South was more influenced by plantation society and social class divisions.
How did William Penn and the Quaker's treatment of Native Americans differ from many other colonists?
Penn believed Native Americans should be treated fairly and that settlers should pay them for their land. This helped Pennsylvania have more peaceful relations with neighboring Native groups.
Why did many Puritans come to New England?
To escape religious persecution and practice their religion more freely.
What was the Middle Passage?
The forced journey of enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas.
Describe the climate & geography of the Middle Colonial region and explain how that lead to a an Economic activity/product in the Middle Colonies
Fertile soil/Sufficient rainfall → wheat and corn
Rivers + good harbors → trade and shipping
What was the purpose of joint-stock companies like the Virginia Company?
Investors combined their money to fund colonies and hoped to make a profit from their resources.
What were Native American societies like before Europeans arrived?
Native Americans were diverse, with many different nations, languages, cultures, values, and ways of life.
They had complex societies and developed things like medicine, salt-making, and mining.
They were Predominantly Peaceful
Which group of Separatists settled Plymouth seeking religious freedom.
The Pilgrims
Define mercantilism
An economic philosophy focused on gaining wealth by exporting more than importing
Describe the climate & geography of the New England Colonial region and explain how that lead to a an Economic activity/product in New England
Forests → lumber and shipbuilding
Atlantic coast + many ports → fishing, whaling, trade, and shipbuilding
Why are the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut important?
Give 2 reasons.
They were a written system of government for Connecticut and explained how leaders would be chosen and how the colony would be governed.
They were also the first written constitution in the colonies.
What was one major cultural disagreement between Native Americans and Europeans?
Many Native Americans believed people could use the land and its resources, but not truly own the land. Europeans were more likely to see land as private property that could be owned, bought, and sold.
SURPRISE: Name ALL 13 colonies in under one minute. Timer starts now.
Why did the Southern Colonies use more enslaved labor than the New England and Middle Colonies?
The South had large plantations and cash crops that required more labor to produce.