US History - Unit 1

The 13 Colonies

Mercantilism

Economic theory practiced by European power through 1500- 1700s, that focuses on increasing wealth through increased exports/ decrease in imports. To compensate for less imports, the colonies set out to collect more raw materials themselves.

Trans-Atlantic Trade

a triangular trade system between Africa, England, and the Americas. Ships would transport sugar, tobacco, flour, lumber, and rum sailed from New England to England. They then carried cloth, manufactured goods, and rum to Africa, which the goods were then exchanged for captured Africans, who were taken to the Americas across the Atlantic.

triangular trade

England government controlled this trade through laws known as the Navigation Acts. Passed in the mid 1600s, these laws stated that all goods shipped to/from the colonies had to be carried by English ships or through England ports. These series of laws helped England in their goal to increase national wealth.

indentured servants

many settlers in the colonies came on as indentured servants. This meant they signed a contract in England with a sponsor, who pays for the servant to be transported. In return, the settler becomes a servant and works for the sponsor from 4-7 years, and afterwards are completely free.

brown gold

a nickname for tobacco, became the first highly profitable crop in Jamestown, Virginia in the early 1600s. High demand in Europe turned Jamestown into a thriving, permanent venture.

Virginia House of Burgesses

the first elected legislature in the colonies and was located in Jamestown. a method of colonial self-government during the period of salutary neglect and established strong independence. they made local policies. the structure consisted of a governor and elected legislature.

New England town meetings

many of the colonies had town meetings that met often for people to vote directly on public issues. only allowed for white men with some land ownership to vote

bacon’s rebellion

In the late 1670s, former indentured servants who couldn’t afford land in Jamestown moved farther out, where they faced conflicts with Native Americans. They paid taxes and expected the government to protect them, but the government failed to do so. Nathaniel Bacon led them against Native Americans and then Jamestown’s elite, including Royal Governor William Berkeley. This helped establish the expectation that government should protect and support all citizens, not just the wealthy.

great awakening

religious revival through the 1730-40s that encouraged personal faith and challenged traditional churches. It spread new religious ideas throughout the colonies and encouraged people to question authority.

jonathan edwards

preacher during the great awakening, who emphasized personal religious conversion and fear of God. His famous sermon “Sinner in The Hands of an Angry God” helped spread religious revivalists ideas.

French and Indian War

war during 1754-1763 between Britain and France over control of North American land, with the native groups fighting on both sides depending on who they thought would help them benefit the most. Britain won but the war left Britain in a large amount of debt.

Proclamation of 1763

British law that banned colonists from settling west of the Appalachian mountains. It was meant to prevent conflicts with the natives.

stamp act of 1765

tax requiring colonist to pay for an official stamp on printed goods. Colonist protested because they didn’t have any representatives in Parliament, leading to the slogan “no taxation without representation”.

intolerable acts

punitive laws passed by Britain in 1774 to punish Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party. They closed Boston Harbor and increased British control over Massachusetts, angering the colonists.

sons of liberty

colonial protest group who opposed British taxes and policies. Leaders like Samuel Adams organized protest and resistance against measures like the stamp act.

daughters of liberty

women who supported colonial resistance through non-violent ways such as nursing, cooking, and creating boycott clothing.

committees of correspondence

colonial communication networks that shared info and organized resistance to British policies. They helped the colonies by keeping people informed.

thomas paine common sense

a pamphlet in 1776 arguing the reasons the colonies should become independent. used simple language to change the perspectives of ordinary colonists.

aberration

something that is unusual or different from what is normal or expected. ex; a snowstorm during the summer.

dearth

a lack or shortage of something. ex; the drought caused a dearth of food and water.

judicious

showing good judgement and making sensible decisions. ex; she made a judicious choice to study instead of procrastinate.

abstract

existing as an idea rather than a physical object, not concrete. ex; love and freedom are abstract concepts.