The 13 Colonies Flashcards/Questions

Mayflower Compact

an agreement drafted by the male passengers of the Mayflower promising to create a government that was loyal to the king. It was necessary because they had landed outside of their charter.

Jamestown

first permanent English colony in the new world, settled in 1607 in Virginia. It suffered tremendously due to a lack of food and the desire to find non-existent gold at all costs, but was saved by the discovery that tobacco grew well and could be sold as a cash crop.

John Smith

explorer and leader of Jamestown that instituted a “no work, no food” policy that ultimately saved the colony from starvation and failure

John Rolfe

Jamestown colonist that introduced tobacco and married Pocahontas. Tobacco ultimately saved the colony and Virginia Company from bankruptcy.

Virginia Company

Joint-stock company that financed the Jamestown colony

Joint-Stock Company

a company where investors purchase stock/”shares” in the hopes that the company succeeds and they will get a solid return on their investment. Jamestown was an early example of this.

Capital

money invested in a company in order to allow it to grow as a business and therefore make money for the investors

John Winthrop

leader of the Puritans, believed Boston should be a “city on a hill” 

Anne Hutchinson

Puritan dissenter, believed women should be able to read/teach the Bible and she was kicked out of Massachusetts for holding prayer meetings in her home.

Roger Williams

Puritan dissenter, believed in religious freedom and paying Native Americans for the land that was taken, he was kicked out of Massachusetts and created the colony of Rhode Island.

Mary Dyer

Puritan woman who converted to Quakerism, was kicked out of Massachusetts, but kept coming back to preach tolerance for Quakers. She was hanged for being Quaker.

Charter

An official document from the king granting permission to colonies.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

The first Constitution drafted in the new world, it described the framework for the government of the colony of CT.