Vocab for Advanced History

Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation

A movement started by Martin Luther in Germany protesting corruption in the Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences. It led to the creation of Protestant churches and permanently split Christianity in Western Europe.

John Calvin’s institutes of the Christian Religion

A book by reformer John Calvin outlining Protestant beliefs and emphasizing God’s power, human sinfulness, and predestination — that God already knows who will be saved.

Calvinism

A branch of Protestantism based on John Calvin’s teachings, stressing predestination, hard work, and moral discipline as signs of being among the “elect” chosen by God.

Puritans Vs Separatists

• Puritans wanted to purify the Church of England from within (reform it).

• Separatists (also known as Pilgrims) believed the Church of England was too corrupt and chose to separate entirely to form independent congregations.

Plymouth and Mayflower Compact

Founded by the Pilgrims (Separatists) seeking religious freedom. It was the first permanent English settlement in New England. An agreement signed by Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower establishing self-government and majority rule — one of the first forms of democratic government in America.

William Bradford

Leader and longtime governor of Plymouth Colony; he helped organize the Mayflower voyage and wrote Of Plymouth Plantation, a detailed history of the colony.

John Winthrop and Massachusetts Bay Colony

Winthrop was the Puritan governor who helped found the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He envisioned it as a “city upon a hill” — a model Christian community.

Roger Williams and Rhode Island

A Puritan minister who was banished from Massachusetts for advocating religious freedom and fair treatment of Native Americans. He founded Rhode Island in 1636, which guaranteed freedom of religion.

Anne Hutchinson

A Puritan woman who challenged church authority by holding Bible meetings and claiming that faith alone (not deeds) led to salvation. She was banished from Massachusetts for her beliefs and moved to Rhode Island.

Puritans Vs Native Americans :Wampanoag Chief, Massasoit

A Native American leader who formed a peace alliance with the Pilgrims and helped them survive their first years in Plymouth.

Puritans Vs Native Americans :Chief Metacom (King Philip)

Massasoit’s son, known to the English as King Philip. He led King Philip’s War (1675–1676), a major conflict between New England tribes and colonists. It ended in Metacom’s death and the defeat of Native resistance in the region.

Dominion of New England

A royal union of several New England colonies under one governor, Sir Edmund Andros, meant to tighten English control. Colonists resented losing local control.

Glorious Revolution (1688–1689)

The peaceful overthrow of King James II of England, replacing him with William and Mary. It led to more colonial self-government and the end of the Dominion of New England.

Ben Frank

Benjamin Franklin became involved in politics in Philadelphia after gaining success as a printer and community leader. He began serving in local government and later represented Pennsylvania in the colonial assembly. His political work grew to include helping unite the colonies, supporting independence, and helping draft the Declaration of Independence.

Indentured Servants

Workers who agreed to serve for 4–7 years in exchange for passage to America, room, and board. After their term, they gained freedom — though conditions were often harsh.

Headright System

A system granting 50 acres of land to colonists who paid for their own passage or someone else’s to Virginia — used to attract settlers and labor.

Nathaniel Bacon and Bacon’s Rebellion

An uprising of Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley. Bacon’s followers, mostly frontier farmers and former indentured servants, protested Native policies and colonial corruption. The rebellion revealed tensions between rich planters and poor settlers.

Salem Witch Trials

A series of hearings and executions in Salem, Massachusetts, where several people (mostly women) were accused of witchcraft. The trials showed the dangers of religious extremism, fear, and mass hysteria in Puritan society.