Colonial America: Labor Shortages, Economy, and Thought

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the notes.

Labor Shortages

A persistent need for workers in the early colonies to support agriculture, construction, and trade; contributed to indentured servitude, the Headright System, and the growth of slavery.

Indentured Servant

A person who agrees to work under contract for a fixed number of years in exchange for passage to the colonies and basic living necessities.

Headright System

A land-grant system that awarded 50 acres to colonists who paid their own passage or financed others’ passages.

Slavery

The system in which Africans were brought to the colonies and treated as property with no legal rights; foundational to the Southern plantation economy.

New England Economy

Based on trade, fishing, shipbuilding, and subsistence farming due to rocky soil and a colder climate; fostered urban development and a merchant-driven economy.

Middle Colonies Economy

Relied on grain production, trade, and diverse industries like lumber, textiles, and ironworks; attracted settlers with tolerance and opportunity.

Southern Colonies Economy

Depended on plantation agriculture producing cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo, sustained by enslaved labor; created a wealthy planter elite and social inequality.

Bacon’s Rebellion

1676 revolt in Virginia led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley over Native lands, taxes, and governance; highlighted class tensions and pushed toward racialized slavery.

Great Awakening

Religious revival in the 1730s–1740s emphasizing emotional preaching and personal faith over established church authority; promoted religious diversity and ideas of equality.

Jonathan Edwards

A leading Great Awakening preacher who delivered fiery sermons about God’s judgment and helped spread revivalism.

George Whitefield

An evangelist who drew massive crowds with dramatic, emotive preaching during the Great Awakening.

King Philip’s War

1675–1676 conflict between New England colonists and a Native American alliance led by Metacom (King Philip) over land and resources; weakened Native power and expanded colonial control.

The Zenger Case

1735 trial of John Peter Zenger; his acquittal supported freedom of the press and the right to criticize government.

The Enlightenment

Intellectual movement valuing reason, science, and individual rights, challenging traditional religious authority and shaping colonial political thought.

Two Treatises of Government

John Locke’s work arguing governments exist to protect natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that citizens may resist unjust authority; influenced the Declaration and Constitution.