European and Colonial History: Key Events and Developments

What significant religious institution did Henry VIII found?

The Church of England (Anglican)

What was the Act of Supremacy and who passed it?

It established the monarch as the Head of State and Head of the Church, passed by Henry VIII.

What major naval event occurred during Elizabeth I's reign?

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Who were the 'sea dogs' and what did they do?

Sea captains encouraged by Elizabeth I, such as Sir Francis Drake, who raided Spanish ships.

What was the significance of the Act of Uniformity?

It made the Church of England the only legal religion.

What was Jamestown and who was the monarch during its establishment?

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in America, established during the reign of James I.

What was the outcome of the English Civil Wars for Charles I?

He was executed in 1649.

Who led the Interregnum period and what was his governance style?

Oliver Cromwell led the Interregnum with a dictatorial and intolerant style.

What significant act did Charles II pass during his reign?

The Habeas Corpus Act, which limited the powers of the king.

What were the main consequences of the Glorious Revolution of 1688?

It ended divine right, established Parliament as supreme, and led to the passage of the English Bill of Rights.

What rights were guaranteed by the English Bill of Rights?

Rights included the right to petition the government, a speedy trial, and protection against cruel and unusual punishments.

What was the Toleration Act of 1689?

It granted freedom of worship to non-Anglican Protestants.

What was John Locke's main argument in 'Two Treatises on Government'?

People enter a social compact to create a government with limited powers and have the right to overthrow it if it exceeds its authority.

Who were George I and George II, and what was their relation to the British throne?

They were German descendants of the Stuarts who inherited the British throne.

What was the impact of George III's reign on American colonies?

He imposed strict control after the French and Indian War, leading to colonial discontent.

What does 'salutary neglect' refer to in the context of British colonial policy?

A period of benign neglect where Britain allowed the colonies to self-govern.

What year did Samuel de Champlain establish a trading post in Quebec?

1608

Who guided Louis XIII in French affairs?

Cardinal Richelieu.

What was Louis XIV's famous declaration about his rule?

"I am the state."

What economic policies did Louis XIV's minister Colbert implement?

Mercantilist policies aimed at maintaining a favorable balance of trade.

What was the Edict of Nantes and what happened to it during Louis XIV's reign?

It granted religious freedom to Huguenots, but was revoked by Louis XIV, leading to their emigration.

What years did Marquette and de la Salle explore the Mississippi Valley?

1673-1682

What were the main economic activities in New France during the exploration period?

Forts, trading posts, and the fur trade.

What was a significant challenge faced by New France?

Inadequate population and lack of support.

Who explored for Holland in 1609 and what was he seeking?

Henry Hudson, seeking a Northwest passage.

What trading posts were established by the Dutch in 1624?

New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island and Fort Orange in Albany.

What system became the main source of revenue for the Dutch West Indies Company?

The patroon (patron) system.

What did Richard Hakluyt advocate for in his writings?

Colonization in the Americas as a means to national greatness and the spread of the gospel.

Which two groups of merchants received charters from James I to establish colonies?

Virginia Company of London and Virginia Company of Plymouth.

What was the outcome of the Plymouth Company's attempt to plant a colony in Maine?

They returned to Britain after one winter and the company was dissolved.

How were early colonies in the Chesapeake intended to operate?

As business enterprises tied only indirectly to the British crown.

What was the first permanent English settlement in North America?

Jamestown, established in 1607.

What challenges did the Jamestown settlers face?

Indian attacks, famine, disease, and a lack of useful skills among settlers.

Who imposed martial law in Jamestown and what was his famous quote?

Captain John Smith; 'He who will not work shall not eat.'

What crop did John Rolfe introduce that saved Jamestown?

Tobacco.

What significant event occurred in 1619 in Virginia?

The establishment of the House of Burgesses, the first representative assembly.

What was the Powhatan Confederacy?

A group of tribes led by Powhatan, who interacted with the Jamestown settlers.

What was the result of the Powhatan's surprise attack in 1622?

347 English settlers were killed, leading to the destruction of the Powhatan food supply.

What was the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649?

The first colonial statute granting religious freedom to all Christians.

Who was Lord Baltimore and what was his goal for Maryland?

George Calvert, who aimed to create a haven for Catholics and achieve wealth.

What led to the transition of Virginia from a company colony to a royal colony?

The bankruptcy of the Virginia Company and the revocation of its charter by King James I.

What was the Headright system?

A system granting 50 acres of land to immigrants who paid for their own passage or to plantation owners who paid for an immigrant's passage.

What was the role of indentured servants in the Chesapeake colonies?

They worked for 4-7 years for passage and room and board, often dying before completing their service.

What was the status of slavery in Virginia during the 17th century?

Slavery was not yet life-long or inherited, and laws distinguishing between blacks and whites were just beginning.

What motivated the migration to New England?

Religious reasons, particularly among Puritans seeking to purify the Anglican Church.

What was the Mayflower Compact?

An agreement for self-governance signed by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower.

Who helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter in Plymouth?

Squanto, a Pokanoket Indian who taught them to plant crops.

What was the Great Migration?

The movement of 15,000 Puritans to Massachusetts during the civil war in England.

What was the governance structure of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?

A theocracy where only male church members could vote or hold office.

What was the Puritan view on religious freedom?

Puritans sought to practice their religion but did not support religious freedom for others.

What was the significance of the House of Burgesses?

It was the first representative assembly in the American colonies.

What was the impact of the tobacco economy on Virginia?

It required a large labor force, leading to the use of indentured servants and eventually slavery.

What was the relationship between the Chesapeake colonies and Native Americans?

It was often hostile, leading to conflicts and attacks.

What was the outcome of Nathaniel Bacon's rebellion?

It highlighted the tensions between wealthy planters and poor farmers and increased reliance on African slave labor.

What were the main economic activities in Plymouth?

Fishing, fur trading, and lumber.

What characterized the social structure of the Massachusetts Bay Colony?

A patriarchal society with a strong sense of community and family groups.

What was the outcome of the Protestant resentment in Maryland?

The Act of Toleration was repealed, and Catholics lost the right to vote.

What was the significance of the first Thanksgiving?

It symbolized cooperation between the Pilgrims and Native Americans.

What led to the decline of the Powhatan Confederacy?

The destruction of their food supply and continued conflicts with English settlers.

What was the impact of the English Civil War on the colonies?

It led to a halt in Puritan immigration during the Interregnum period.

What characterized the religious convictions of New England settlers?

They had strong religious convictions but were intolerant of others' religious ideas.

What was the consequence for dissenters in New England colonies?

Dissenters would be tolerated only if they did not interfere with the colony's mission, and banishment was a common method for dealing with them.

What belief did New England settlers hold regarding Native Americans?

They believed that Native Americans should be converted and civilized and viewed them as a threat to a godly community.

What geographical area attracted settlers away from Massachusetts Bay?

The Connecticut River Valley.

What was a significant outcome of the intolerance towards dissenters in New England?

The establishment of other colonies due to the banishment of dissenters.

Who led the group that founded Hartford in 1636?

Thomas Hooker

What significant document was created by Hartford settlers in 1639?

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first written constitution in America.

What was the purpose of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

It established a representative government with a legislature elected by popular vote and a governor chosen by the legislature.

Which two settlements joined to form the colony of Connecticut in 1662?

New Haven and Hartford.

Who founded Providence, Rhode Island, and what was his belief regarding individual conscience?

Roger Williams; he believed it should be beyond the control of civil or church authority.

What was the significance of the 1644 charter granted to Rhode Island?

It offered complete religious toleration and combined Providence and Portsmouth into one colony.

What was Anne Hutchinson's main theological belief that led to her banishment?

She believed that a conversion experience was necessary for sainthood, not just good works.

What was the outcome of King Philip's War (1675-76)?

It resulted in the death of thousands on both sides, reduced the Native American population by 40%, and ended Native American resistance in New England.

What was the New England Confederation and when was it formed?

A military alliance formed in 1643 among Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and New Haven to address threats from Native Americans and other colonies.

What were the Carolinas originally granted to Charles II in 1663?

A large tract of land to be governed by eight nobles as lord proprietors.

What economic activities characterized South Carolina in the 18th century?

Trading furs, providing food for the West Indies, and rice planting worked by enslaved Africans.

What distinguished North Carolina's economy from South Carolina's?

North Carolina had small, self-sufficient tobacco farms and little reliance on slavery.

How did New York come under English control in 1664?

Charles II granted his brother, the Duke of York, land between Connecticut and Delaware Bay, which was taken from the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam.

What were the key features of New Jersey's early governance?

It was divided into East and West New Jersey, offered religious freedom, and had a representative assembly.

Who founded Pennsylvania and what were the core beliefs of its settlers?

William Penn; the Quakers believed in equality, nonviolence, and the inner light as religious authority.

What was the 'Holy Experiment' in Pennsylvania?

Penn's vision for a colony that enacted liberal ideas in government and provided a refuge for Quakers.

What led to Delaware becoming its own colony?

Penn granted the lower three counties of Pennsylvania their own assembly.

What was the primary cash crop of the Caribbean colonies?

Sugar, especially for distillation into rum.

What was the role of Spanish presidios in the American Southwest?

They were fortified garrisons established to protect Spanish interests and convert Native Americans.

What were the two main reasons for the establishment of Georgia in 1732?

To serve as a buffer state against Spanish Florida and to relieve overcrowded English prisons of debtors.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It established a rudimentary written constitution and the principle of majority rule in Plymouth.

What was the House of Burgesses?

The first representative assembly in the American colonies, established in Virginia.

What limitations existed in colonial democracy?

Only male property owners could vote, and colonial governors often ruled with autocratic powers.

What was the impact of mercantilism on the American colonies?

It aimed to create a favorable balance of trade, benefiting England while limiting colonial manufacturing.

What were the Acts of Trade and Navigation?

Laws that restricted colonial trade to English or colonial-built ships and required certain goods to be exported only to England.

What was the Dominion of New England?

An attempt by James II to combine New York, New Jersey, and New England colonies into a single unit with increased royal control.

What was the outcome of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 for the colonies?

It led to the end of the Dominion of New England and allowed colonies to regain self-governance.

What was the role of town meetings in New England colonies?

They allowed direct voting on public issues by eligible male voters.