British Colonies - Page 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering notes on Chesapeake, New England, Middle colonies, and West Indies slavery/economy.

Chesapeake (Virginia)

Region along the Chesapeake Bay known for tobacco farming; economy relied on African slavery with mostly male enslaved labor.

Tobacco (cash crop)

Primary cash crop of the Chesapeake colonies that drove labor demand and slavery.

African slavery

System of enslaved Africans used in colonial economies, especially in tobacco-growing areas; labor often consisted of men.

Economic incentive

Financial motives behind slavery and plantation economies in the colonies.

New England colonies (Massachusetts)

Northern colonies with fishing and timber economies; few enslaved people; religious motivation; emphasis on family and education.

Fishing and timber

Main economic activities in New England.

Slavery in New England

Relatively few enslaved people; slavery not central to the economy.

Religious incentive

Religious motivations shaping social norms and education in New England.

Family and education

Strong emphasis on family structure and literacy in New England colonies.

Middle colonies (Pennsylvania)

Colonies with diverse populations and economies; tolerant governance; a mix of industries.

Quakers

Religious group in Pennsylvania promoting equality and pacifism.

Ethnically and religiously diverse

Characteristic of the Middle colonies, including Pennsylvania.

William Penn

Founder of Pennsylvania; Quaker leader who promoted religious freedom and fair governance.

Egalitarian

Belief in equality among people.

Pacifist

Belief in peace; opposition to violence.

West Indies / Caribbean

Caribbean colonies with a sugar-based economy largely dependent on enslaved labor.

Sugar (caribbean)

Major Caribbean cash crop; production relied on enslaved labor.

Slavery in the Caribbean

Enslaved Africans forming the labor force on sugar plantations.