13 Colonies and Colonial British History

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering the 13 Colonies, types of colonial governments, British motives, the English Civil War, Dominion of New England, the Glorious Revolution, and Salutary Neglect.

Miles Standish

Led a pre-emptive military strike against Wampanoag enemies.

Charter Colonies

Colonies established by a royal charter granted to a joint-stock company.

Royal Colonies

Colonies directly controlled by the British monarch.

Proprietary Colonies

Colonies created through large land grants given to individuals.

Four Major European Powers in North America

Spain, France, England, and the Dutch Republic, which all sought to establish influence.

Reasons for British Colonization

Colonies were established for religious freedom, economic opportunity, and the resettlement of prisoners.

Benefits of Colonies for Britain

Greater power, increased trade, relief for overpopulated England, and destinations for religious and political dissidents.

English Civil War

A conflict between King Charles I (Royalists) and Parliament.

Oliver Cromwell

Ruled as a dictator under the English Commonwealth after King Charles I was executed.

King Charles II

Restored to the throne in 1660; enforced stricter control over the colonies to strengthen royal power and tried to convert proprietary colonies to royal colonies.

Navigation Acts of 1651

Acts that restricted colonial trade to English ports only and increased the influence of the monarchy.

Revocation of Massachusetts Charter

Action taken fully by King Charles II after Massachusetts refused to comply with British trade controls.

King James II

Catholic monarch who became king in 1685 and acted as a dictator, aiming to restore an absolutist monarchy and expand royal power.

Dominion of New England

An administrative union combining 5 New England colonies plus New York and New Jersey, which disbanded colonial assemblies and raised taxes.

Edmund Andros

Very unpopular governor-general appointed over the Dominion of New England who raised taxes and faced widespread opposition.

The Glorious Revolution (1688)

The event in which Protestant leaders invited William of Orange and Mary Stuart to challenge the Catholic King James II, leading James II to flee to France without resistance and abdicating the throne.

William of Orange and Mary Stuart

Co-rulers who took power during the Glorious Revolution after James II fled.

Salutary Neglect

Policy under William and Mary in which they compromised with the colonies by allowing local self-government while the Crown retained control over trade.