European Exploration
Name one reason Europeans explored the Americas.
To find gold and wealth, land, or new trade routes
Why is Roanoke called the “Lost Colony”?
The settlers disappeared, and no one knows what happened to them
Why did the Pilgrims and Puritans leave England?
For religious freedom
Why were the Middle Colonies called the “Breadbasket Colonies”?
They grew large amounts of wheat and grain
What is a cash crop?
A crop grown to be sold for profit
Which European country was one of the first to explore the Americas?
Spain
Which colony was founded first: Jamestown or Plymouth?
Jamestown
What was the Mayflower Compact?
A written agreement to govern themselves
Which colony was originally called New Netherland?
New York
Name one cash crop grown in the Southern Colonies.
Tobacco, rice, or indigo
Why were new trade routes important to European countries?
They made trade faster and cheaper and helped countries make more money
What helped Jamestown survive after early struggles?
Native American guidance (more specifically: Tobacco farming)
Why was the Mayflower Compact important?
It was the first form of self-government and democracy in the U.S.
Who controlled New Netherland before the English?
The Dutch
Why did plantations develop in the South?
Cash crops required large amounts of land and labor
Name two resources Europeans hoped to find in the Americas.
Gold and land
Who did much of the labor in Jamestown, and why?
Enslaved Africans and indentured servants, because farming tobacco required many workers
How did geography affect life in New England?
Rocky soil and cold climate led to small farms, fishing, and trade
What is a patroon?
A landowner in the Dutch colonies who ruled large areas of land
What caused Bacon’s Rebellion?
Land disputes and anger that the government ignored settlers’ concerns
How did exploration help European countries gain power?
It gave them more land, resources, and wealth, making them stronger than rivals
Name two reasons Jamestown struggled at first.
Disease, lack of food, poor leadership, or conflict with Native Americans (any two)
How did religion influence government and daily life in New England?
Religious beliefs shaped laws, strict rules, and behavior in the colonies
Why was Pennsylvania known for religious tolerance?
William Penn (and the Quakers) allowed people of different religions to worship freely
Why was Georgia founded?
To give debtors a fresh start and to protect the colonies from Spain