Early American History Flashcards

A collection of flashcards focusing on key terms and concepts from early American history, covering events, figures, and economic systems.

Jamestown

First permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607.

Plymouth Colony

Colony in Massachusetts founded by Pilgrims in 1620 seeking religious freedom.

Mayflower Compact

Agreement by Pilgrims in 1620 to self-govern; an early example of democracy.

Puritans

Protestants who sought to 'purify' the Church of England; settled Massachusetts Bay.

Salem Witch Trials

Mass hysteria in Massachusetts (1692) leading to executions of those accused of witchcraft.

Pequot Massacre

Event in 1637 where English settlers and allies killed hundreds of Pequot Native Americans.

Metacom’s Rebellion / King Philip’s War

War (1675–76) between Native Americans and colonists, devastating for Natives.

Virginia House of Burgesses

First representative assembly in the colonies, established in Virginia in 1619.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Revolt in 1676 of frontier farmers against Virginia elites over Native American policy.

Indentured Servitude

Labor system where people worked for years in exchange for passage to America.

Roger Williams

Religious dissenter who founded Rhode Island, advocating for religious freedom.

Anne Hutchinson

Challenged Puritan authority, believed faith alone determined salvation; was banished.

Quakers

Religious group believing in equality and inner light; faced persecution, later founded Pennsylvania.

Mercantilism

Economic system where colonies exist to benefit the mother country.

Navigation Acts

British laws restricting colonial trade to benefit England.

Great Awakening

Religious revival in the 1730s–40s emphasizing personal faith and challenging authority.

John Peter Zenger

Established freedom of the press through a trial in 1735; truth is not libel.

Albany Plan

Plan by colonies led by Benjamin Franklin to unite for defense; it was rejected.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of loosely enforcing laws in colonies, allowing self-government.

Ben Franklin

Key Enlightenment thinker and inventor who helped unite colonies.

Deism

Belief in God based on reason, claiming God does not interfere in the world.

John Locke

Philosopher who argued for natural rights and the right to overthrow bad governments.

French and Indian War

War (1754–1763) between Britain and France in North America; Britain wins but incurs debt.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

Native uprising against British land policies after the French and Indian War.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Ended the French and Indian War; Britain gained most French territory in North America.