Geographical Features
What geographic factor made the Southern Colonies (like Virginia and Georgia) the best place for growing large amounts of cash crops like tobacco and rice?
Warm climate and rich, fertile soil.
Many European explorers, like Henry Hudson, searched for the Northwest Passage. What were they hoping to find?
A faster water route through North America to Asia.
The English founded the colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. What was the main economic reason the English founded this first permanent colony?
To make money by finding gold and growing valuable crops
The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was a major conflict. Which two groups were the main opponents in this war in North America?
French and British (English)
Which of the following figures founded the colony of Pennsylvania as a place for the Quakers to practice their religion freely, and also believed in treating Native Americans fairly?
William Penn
The New England Colonies (like Massachusetts and New Hampshire) had rocky soil and thick forests. How did these geographic factors influence their economy
They specialized in shipbuilding, fishing, and trade.
The 13 British colonies were divided into three main regions: New England, Middle, and Southern. Which colony was located in the Middle Colonies region?
Pennsylvania
The Pilgrims, who settled Plymouth in New England, created the Mayflower Compact. What was the main purpose of this document?
To establish a form of self-government for their colony.
During the colonial period, European countries practiced an economic policy called Mercantilism. What was the main goal of Mercantilism?
To make the home country (like England) wealthy by controlling colonial trade.
What type of labor grew most important on the large plantations of the Southern Colonies due to the need for many workers to grow cash crops?
Enslaved African people.
When Europeans and Indigenous Peoples first interacted, there were major consequences for the Indigenous Peoples. Which of the following was a key negative consequence of this interaction?
Many died from European diseases like smallpox.
The Great Awakening in the colonies during the 1730s and 1740s was an important movement. What was its main focus?
A religious revival that encouraged people to renew their faith.
In the New England colonies, life centered around the local town and church. How did this influence education?
Towns with a certain number of families had to start a school.
What is the term for a government where citizens elect people to make laws and decisions for them, a concept that was introduced in the colonies by the creation of the Virginia House of Burgesses?
Representative Government
The Dutch originally settled the area that is now New York. Who was the leader who bought the island of Manhattan from the Indigenous people?
Peter Minuit
Explain what the House of Burgesses was. Then, describe its main function (what did it do for the colony?), and explain why it was an important step for the colonists living there.
Answer will vary