Vocabulary Quiz

Maryland Act of Toleration

Maryland Act of Toleration

Written in 1649 by Catholics, it was the first law of its kind; it granted religious tolerance to all Christians, particularly Catholics and Protestants. However, it did not protect those who did not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ (non-Christians).

Roanoke Island

The first English colony in North America (1585-87). It was dubbed the “Lost Colony”, as it was discovered in 1590 that the colony was completely deserted, with no trace of the settlers.

Anne Hutchinson

Late 1630’s. A Puritan woman who disagreed with and questioned the authority of the Puritan Church in her promotion of Antinomianism and belief that women should be allowed to read the bible. As a result, she was put on trial and banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She then went on to help establish the colony of Rhode Island.

Metacom’s War, aka King Philip’s War

A significant conflict in the late 1670’s between English settlers and Native American tribes of New England, led by Wampanoag Chief Philip (or Metacom). The colonists eventually overwhelmed Metacom’s forces, which quelled significant Native American resistance to the English’s expansion and resulted in further colonization and control over Native lands.

Jamestown

It was the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607 by settlers from The Virginia Company of London.

Salutary Neglect

An unofficial policy of the British Government in the 1600s-mid 1700s allowed its colonies to develop independently with minimal British interference and self-governance.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Nathaniel Bacon led a significant uprising in 1676 for various reasons, but most notably a lack of a resolution pertaining to conflicts between Native Americans and English colonists from Governor William Berkeley. Both white and black colonists took up arms against government officials, and this was the first time a rebellion like this occurred.

House of Burgesses

The first democratically elected legislative assembly in the American colonies; it was founded in the Virginia colony, in 1619.

Virginia Slave Laws

Started in the late 17th century, a series of statutes that provided a legal basis for colonial slavery.

Blue Laws

Laws in the 17th century that forced citizens to act in accordance with the Bible, such as prohibiting certain activities on certain days.

Middle Colonies

18th century - known for agriculture, diversity, trade, and religious freedom.

Indentured Servitude

17th century — A labor system, in which a person agrees to work without pay, usually in exchange for something. Once the conditions of the contract were met, typically after 4-7 years, they were freed. It was a common way for Europeans to immigrate to the American Colonies

Roger Williams

A political and religious leader that founded the colony of Rhode Island in 1636. He was a strong advocate for religious tolerance, and so Rhode Island was one of the first colonies to have religious freedom.

Mayflower Compact

A legal agreement signed by 41 male passengers of the Mayflower in 1620, for the purpose of establishing some form of government upon arrival. It was an early form of self-governance

John Peter Zenger

A newspaper printer and journalist, who was acquitted after having been taken to court and charged with seditious libel in 1735. His trial was significant in paving the way for freedom of press.

Salem Witch Trials

An event of mass hysteria and fear in colonial Massachusetts. Took place between 1692-93, it was a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft, mainly women.

“The Starving Time”

A period of starvation during the winter of 1609-10 in Jamestown, Virginia due to harsh conditions and a lack of supplies.

John Winthrop

A Puritan leader who was a figure in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. He had emigrated from England because he sought religious freedom.

Navigation Acts

1651, a set of laws that regulated and promoted English ships and limited the economic independence of North American colonies.

Triangular Trade

Mid 18th century - Trade between three ports/regions. Most notable was the Atlantic Slave Trade.