13 Colonies Exam Prep

Colony

A settlement ruled by a distant country.

Pilgrims

Settlers of Plymouth Colony seeking religious freedom.

Puritans

A religious group that settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Quakers

A religious group promoting equality and peace; founded Pennsylvania.

Indentured Servant

A person who worked for a set time to pay for their passage to America.

Mayflower Compact

The first agreement for self-government in the colonies.

Middle Passage

The horrific journey enslaved Africans endured across the Atlantic.

Triangular Trade

A trade system between the Americas, Europe, and Africa, involving slaves, goods, and raw materials.

Cash Crop

Crops like tobacco and rice are grown for profit.

Plantation

Large farms in the Southern Colonies that relied on enslaved labor.

Religious Tolerance

Acceptance of different religious beliefs; promoted in Pennsylvania.

New Amsterdam

A Dutch settlement later renamed New York by the British.

New England Colonies

Region known for fishing, shipbuilding, and trade.

Southern Colonies

Region that relied heavily on plantation farming and enslaved labor.

Middle Colonies

Known as the 'Breadbasket' for their production of grain and diverse population.

Triangular Trade

A trading system involving the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

Fertile Soil

Contributed to the economic success of the Southern Colonies.

Self-Government

Initiatives like the Mayflower Compact showing early forms of democracy.

William Penn

Founder of Pennsylvania who promoted religious tolerance.

Rhode Island

Known for its commitment to religious freedom.

Slavery

A system relying on forced labor, particularly prevalent in the Southern Colonies.

Geography and Economy

Each colonial region's geography influenced its economic activities.

Plymouth Colony

Founded by Pilgrims seeking religious freedom.

Cash Crop

Crops cultivated primarily for profit rather than subsistence.

Indentured Servitude

A labor system where a person works for a predetermined period to pay for passage.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement establishing self-government among the Pilgrims.

Plantation System

Large-scale farming that depended on enslaved labor in the South.

Cultural Diversity

The variety of races and cultures in the Middle Colonies.

Maritime Industry

New England's economy was significantly based on shipbuilding and fishing.

Tobacco

Cash crop that was vital for the economy of the Southern Colonies.

Religious Freedom

The right to practice different religions, especially emphasized in Pennsylvania.

New York

Formerly New Amsterdam, significant as a trading port.

Civil Body Politic

A concept reflecting the organized governance of a community.

Geographical Features

Elements like rivers and fertile land affecting colonial economies.

Persecution

A reason many settlers fled Europe for America.

Quaker Beliefs

Ideas centered around equality and peace.

Population Growth

A factor contributing to the development of the colonies.

Trade Goods

Items exchanged in the triangular trade, including agricultural products.

Colonial Economy

Economic systems based on agriculture, trade, and forced labor.

Slave Labor

Labor systems in which individuals are forced to work without compensation.

Social Mobility

Opportunities for advancement in colonial society.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to receive equal treatment under the law.

Pilgrim Values

Important principles upheld by the settlers of Plymouth Colony.

Tolerance and Equality

Core beliefs underlying William Penn's philosophy.

Historical Sources

Documents providing insights into colonial life and governance.

Colonial Governance

The systems and processes used for ruling the colonies.

Economic Dependence

Reliance on specific crops or labor systems for financial sustainability.

Migration

Movement of individuals to new areas for settlement.

Religious Diversity

The presence of various religions practiced within the colonies.

What was the Middle Passage?

The Middle Passage was the horrific journey enslaved Africans endured across the Atlantic, characterized by overcrowded ships, brutal treatment, and high mortality rates.