British Colonization and Society in North America

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to British colonization and the development of distinct societies in North America.

Jamestown

The first North American colony established by the British in 1607.

Joint Stock Company

A private funding model for exploration where investors pooled resources to share risks.

Famine in Jamestown

Resulted in the death of nearly half the colonists due to poor food sources.

Cannibalism in Jamestown

Desperate measure taken by colonists during the famine to survive.

Tobacco cultivation

Discovered in 1612 and became the main cash crop that saved the Jamestown colony.

Indentured Servants

Individuals who worked for a set number of years to pay for their passage to America.

Bacon's Rebellion

An uprising led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley's policies.

Puritans

Protestants who sought to escape the Church of England's strictures and lived by their own conscience.

Religious Freedom

A common misconception regarding the primary motive of the Pilgrims coming to America.

Family Groups in New England

The New England colonies were settled largely by families, contrasting with the Jamestown settlers.

New England Economy

Focused on agriculture and commerce, establishing a thriving society post-famine.

British West Indies

Areas where British established permanent colonies in the 1620s, focused on cash crops.

Sugar Cane

Became the primary cash crop by the 1630s in the British West Indies.

Slave Codes

Laws that regulated the behavior of enslaved individuals, categorizing them as property.

South Carolina's Society

Modeled after the British West Indies, focusing on plantation agriculture.

Middle Colonies Economy

Characterized by an export economy based on cereal crops, with a diverse population.

William Penn

Founder of Pennsylvania, a Quaker who emphasized religious freedom.

Negotiation with Native Americans

The approach taken by Pennsylvania settlers when expanding land, unlike other colonies.

Democratic Governance

A feature of the colonies where they developed self-governance systems.

House of Burgesses

The first representative assembly in Virginia that levied taxes and passed laws.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement signed by Pilgrims that organized their government on self-governance principles.

Elite Merchants

Ran the legislature in Middle Colonies, showcasing the influence of wealth in governance.

Elite Planters

Dominated southern colony legislatures, possessing significant political power.

Cereal Crops

Primary agricultural output in the Middle Colonies, contributing to their export economy.

Economic Motives

Key reason for the establishment of many colonies, especially evident in New England.

Colonial Diversity

The varied social, economic, and political structures across different British colonies.