Colonization of the Americas (1607-1754)

A series of flashcards covering key concepts and events related to colonization in the Americas from 1607 to 1754, including motivations, significant events, and notable figures.

What was the primary goal of Spanish colonization in the Americas?

To extract wealth through cash crops and mining.

What system did the Spanish introduce based on racial ancestry?

A caste system.

Which colonies were focused on trade and formed the first permanent settlement in Quebec?

French Colonies.

What was the first permanent British settlement in North America?

Jamestown, founded in 1607.

What event, led by Nathaniel Bacon, was fueled by conflicts with Native Americans?

Bacon's Rebellion.

What was the impact of the enclosure movement in Britain?

It reduced available farmland, restricting access for the lower classes.

What was the primary cash crop that revitalized the Jamestown colony?

Tobacco.

What significant slave rebellion occurred in 1739?

The Stono Rebellion.

What was one way the British colonies governed themselves?

Through representative assemblies such as the House of Burgesses.

What was the Triangular Trade?

A system where rum was traded for slaves in Africa, slaves were transported to the West Indies, and sugar was returned to New England.

What economic system viewed wealth as finite and sought a favorable balance of trade?

Mercantilism.

Who were two notable leaders of the Great Awakening?

Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield.

What movement emphasized rational thinking and introduced concepts like natural rights?

The Enlightenment.

What was impressment, and why did it cause tensions in the colonies?

The act of seizing colonial men for the Royal Navy, leading to resistance due to dissatisfaction with conditions.

What was the Mayflower Compact?

A governing document created by the Pilgrims organizing their government before arriving in the New World.

What was the significance of the year 1492 in the context of the Americas?

It marks the year Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas, leading to European colonization.

What was the primary economic purpose of the Spanish missions in the Americas?

To convert Indigenous people to Christianity and assist in colonial expansion.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas?

An agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided newly discovered lands outside Europe.

What were the three G's that motivated European exploration?

Gold, God, and Glory.

What was the Middle Passage?

The sea route used to transport enslaved Africans to the Americas.

What was the significance of the Mayflower's voyage?

It established a precedent for self-governance in the New World.

What were the Navigation Acts?

Laws that restricted colonial trade to benefit England's economy.

Who was Hernán Cortés?

The Spanish conquistador known for conquering the Aztec Empire.

What were the main crops introduced to Europe from the Americas?

Potatoes, tomatoes, and corn.

What was the role of the fur trade in the French colonies?

It became the primary economic activity and was crucial for cooperation with Indigenous peoples.

What was King Philip's War?

A conflict between Native Americans and English settlers in New England, resulting in significant casualties and territorial changes.

Who was George Washington in the context of the French and Indian War?

He was a military leader whose early actions helped spark the war.

What was the significance of the Proclamation of 1763?

It restricted colonial expansion westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains.

What was the First Great Awakening?

A religious revival movement in the 18th century that emphasized personal faith and emotional experience.

What was the main purpose of the Boston Tea Party?

To protest against British taxation without representation.