Colonialism, British Imperialism, and Revolution Study Guide

Finch Test

John Winthrop

English Puritan who founded the "city upon a hill" for a Godly community.

Jamestown/Starving Time

Period of crop shortages, famine, and cannibalism in Jamestown.

Pilgrims

English Protestants who established Plymouth for separatist Puritans.

Puritans

Believed in reforming the Church of England with more Protestant ideals.

Separatists

Followers of John Calvin's theology, believed in predestination.

VA Stock Company

Created by King James I to profit shareholders and establish a colony.

Mayflower Compact

First governing document of Plymouth colony.

Salem Witch Trials

Witch trials in Salem resulting in deaths.

Indentured Servitude

Immigrants bound to serve masters to pay off voyage debt.

African Slavery (Middle Passage and Triangular Trade)

Enslaved Africans brought through Middle Passage in brutal conditions.

Cash Crops

Main Southern American economy with tobacco, cotton, indigo, and sugar.

John Rolfe

English explorer, married Pocahontas, arrived in Virginia.

New England Colonies

Established by religious dissenters in the Northeast.

Middle Colonies

Trade-focused colonies between New England and South.

Southern Colonies

Rural settlements in the South.

Roger Williams

Founded Rhode Island, advocated for religious liberties.

Quakers

Believed in experiencing light from within.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Colonists' revolt due to lack of protection against Native Americans.

King Philip's War

Conflict between Native Americans and New England colonists.

Eliza Pickney

Managed plantations, discovered profitable indigo crop.

Navigation Acts

British laws restricting colonial trade.

Mercantilism

Nationalism based on dominating international trade.

John Edwards

Sparked Great Awakening with religious writings.

Great Awakening

Religious revivals increasing enthusiasm in colonies.

French and Indian War

Conflict over Ohio River Valley, ended by Treaty of Paris.

Proclamation of 1763

Restricted colonists from moving westward.

Parliament/Taxes

Taxation without colonial consent leading to Revolutionary War.

Albany Plan of Union

Rejected plan for colonial unity against the British.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

Native American war against British forts.

Sons of Liberty

Secret organization opposing British taxes, responsible for Boston Tea Party.

Tea Act

Lowered tea price but restricted non-British imports.

Boston Tea Party

Protest against Tea Act, resulted in spilled tea in Boston Harbor.

Crispus Attucks

Runaway slave killed in Boston Massacre.

Intolerable Acts

British response to Boston Tea Party, closed Boston Port.

Townshend Acts

Imposed taxes on various goods.

Committees of Correspondence

Communication channels during Revolutionary War.

Saratoga

American victory boosting morale and gaining French alliance.

Yorktown

Siege leading to Cornwallis' surrender to George Washington.

Crossing of the Delaware (Princeton and Trenton)

Washington's victories boosting morale and supplies.

James Otis

Early advocate for the Revolution.

Letters from a Farmer in Penn

John Dickinson's letters opposing British funding through colonies.

First Continental Congress

Meeting in Philadelphia asserting colonial rights.

Sam Adams

Founding Father and Sons of Liberty founder.

Paul Revere

Warned of British arrival with his midnight ride.

Deborah Sampson

Woman who enlisted in continental army in disguise.

Mercy Otis Warren

Playwright and poet fighting against British rule.

Culper Spy Ring

Patriot spies gaining intel from the British.

Lexington and Concord

First skirmishes of the Revolutionary War.

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point in favor of the Americans.

Valley Forge

Harsh winter with disease and starvation for American troops.

Treaty of Paris

Granted freedom to American colonies in 1783.