Indigenous Americans
What does stewardship mean, and how did Indigenous peoples practice it?
Stewardship means caring for the land. Indigenous peoples practiced it by living sustainably and treating land as sacred.
What is the Pocahontas myth?
The romanticized story of Pocahontas and John Smith that ignores the historical realities of her life.
What were the three regions of the 13 colonies?
New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.
What is chattel slavery?
A system where enslaved people were treated as property.
What was Bacon’s Rebellion?
A 1676 uprising by poor farmers, indentured servants, and enslaved Africans against Virginia’s elite.
How did European colonization impact Indigenous peoples and their stewardship of the land?
Colonization led to land theft, destruction of ecosystems, and forced removal of Indigenous peoples.
How do origin myths like the Pocahontas story shape American identity?
They portray colonization as peaceful and heroic, omitting violence against Indigenous peoples.
What was the main economy of the Southern Colonies?
Agriculture, including cash crops like tobacco and rice.
What were the motivations for slavery in early America?
Economic profit and the need for cheap labor to grow cash crops.
Why was the Declaration of Independence important during the American Revolution?
It declared America’s independence and outlined principles of freedom and equality.
What is the Doctrine of Discovery?
A principle that justified European claims to Indigenous lands based on "discovery."
Why is it important to analyze origin myths critically?
They influence national narratives and perpetuate historical inaccuracies.
What was unique about the Middle Colonies’ social structure?
They were the most diverse, with religious and cultural tolerance.
What are Slave Codes?
Laws that restricted the rights and freedoms of enslaved people to maintain control.
How did women contribute to the American Revolution?
They boycotted British goods, supported soldiers, and managed farms and businesses.
What is the contrast between Indigenous views of land and European views?
Indigenous peoples saw land as shared and sacred, while Europeans saw it as something to own and exploit.
How does the myth of Christopher Columbus "discovering" America shape American identity?
It promotes the idea of European exploration as heroic while ignoring Indigenous peoples' existence and contributions.
How did geography influence the New England Colonies' economy?
Rocky soil and a cold climate led to fishing, shipbuilding, and trade instead of farming.
Why were rich white elites afraid of indentured servants and enslaved Africans rebelling together?
They feared losing power if these groups united.
The Boston Tea Party
How does settler colonialism continue to affect Indigenous peoples today?
It impacts sovereignty, land access, cultural practices, and political representation.
What is an origin myth?
This term refers to a symbolic story or narrative that explains the beginnings or foundations of a culture, often blending historical events with idealized or romanticized elements.
What role did Puritans play in shaping the culture of New England?
They emphasized community, education, and strict religious practices.
How did elites prevent rebellion among servants and enslaved Africans?
They created racial divisions through laws that gave poor whites privileges over Black people.
How did Indigenous peoples respond to the American Revolution?
Many sided with the British, hoping to protect their lands from American expansion.