English Colonization: The Chesapeake

A set of Question-and-Answer flashcards covering the Chesapeake region: differences from other colonizations, labor systems, slavery evolution, demographics, key laws, major events, and map regions.

What is a key difference between English colonization in the Chesapeake and the Spanish/French approaches?

English emphasized permanent settlements with a tobacco-based economy and evolving labor systems (initially indentured servitude, later racial slavery).

What crop defined the Chesapeake economy as described in the notes?

Tobacco, a labor- and land-intensive crop.

What incentives helped attract settlers to Virginia (1619)?

The headright system (land grants for paying passage), the first representative legislature, and voting rights.

What was the headright system?

Land grants to settlers who paid for passage to Virginia.

Describe indentured servitude in the Chesapeake.

A labor contract of 4-7 years in exchange for passage; masters provided food, shelter, and clothes; no land; about 80% of immigrants in the 1600s; majority were men aged 15-25.

What trend occurred in the Chesapeake's non-Indian population from 1607 to 1700?

Both White and Black populations grew over time.

1643 Virginia law: Black servants were declared what kind of property?

Tithable property.

1662 Virginia law: The status of a child followed what determinant?

The status of the child followed the mother (partus sequitur ventrem).

1705 Virginia law: What distinguished punishments for servants?

Different punishments for white and black servants; prohibition on intermarriage.

What was Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) and who led it?

A rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon aimed at forcing government action on land and Native American conflicts; promised freedom to servants and slaves who joined; ended with Bacon’s death.

Who was an early leader of Jamestown?

John Smith.

When was Jamestown established?

1607, in Virginia.

Which Virginia town became the capital in 1699?

Williamsburg.

Name a key factor driving the Chesapeake’s labor demand beyond tobacco itself.

Tobacco was labor- and land-intensive, driving demand for a large labor force.

What four colonial regions are shown on the map?

New England colonies, Middle colonies, Chesapeake colonies, Lower South colonies.