The 13 Colonies

Beringia Land Bridge

A land bridge that connected Asia and Alaska, allowing early humans to cross from Siberia to Alaska and spread throughout North and South America.

**Ice Age**

During this time, hunter-gatherer societies adapted to the harsh conditions by hunting large mammals such as mammoths and using tools like spears. The scarcity of food resources due to the freezing climate would have posed challenges for these societies.

Mayans

They were an ancient civilization that flourished in Mesoamerica from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE. They were known for their advanced knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, and writing system. They built impressive cities with monumental architecture, such as Chichen Itza and Tikal. They also developed a complex calendar system and made significant contributions to agriculture. The decline of this civilization is still a topic of debate among scholars.

Aztecs

They were a Mesoamerican civilization that existed from the 14th to the 16th century. They were known for their advanced agricultural practices, impressive architecture, and complex social and political systems. They also had a rich mythology and religious beliefs, with their capital city, Tenochtitlan, being one of the largest cities in the world at the time. They were eventually conquered by the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1521.

Columbian Exchange

Worldwide exchanges of people, plants, animals, and diseases between the New World and Old World after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492

Conquistadors

Conquistadors were Spanish explorers and conquerors who played a significant role in the colonization of the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries. Led by figures such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, they sought to expand Spanish territories, spread Christianity, and acquire wealth. They encountered and conquered indigenous civilizations, such as the Aztecs and Incas, often through military force, disease, and alliances with local tribes. The conquests led to the establishment of Spanish colonies and the introduction of European culture and institutions in the Americas.

Hernan Cortes

He was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico in the early 16th century. He is known for his military tactics, alliances with indigenous groups, and his role in establishing Spanish colonization in the region. Cortés' conquest of the Aztec Empire had a significant impact on the history and culture of Mexico.

King James I

King James I, also known as James VI of Scotland, was the King of England and Ireland from 1603 until his death in 1625. He is best known for commissioning the translation of the Bible into English, which resulted in the creation of the King James Version. James I also played a significant role in the colonization of North America, particularly in the establishment of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. He was a patron of the arts and sciences, and his reign saw advancements in literature and theater, with the works of William Shakespeare gaining popularity.

Jamestown

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607 in what is now Virginia. It was named after King James I of England. The settlement faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with Native Americans, disease, and food shortages. However, it eventually grew and became the capital of the Virginia Colony. Jamestown played a significant role in the early history of the United States and is often referred to as the birthplace of American democracy.

John Smith

Smith was the first leader of Jamestown. He took control of the colony, made settlers work to earn their food, and finished the fort construction He also encouraged more farming in Jamestown. He was not well-liked but known for saving the colony. His famous quote is: **“He who does not work, shall not eat!”**

Virginia Company

The Virginia Company refers to two separate English joint-stock companies that were chartered by King James I in the early 17th century. The first company, known as the London Company, was established in 1606 and was responsible for the founding of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia in 1607. The second company, known as the Plymouth Company, was established in 1606 as well but focused on the colonization of the northern parts of Virginia. Both companies played a significant role in the early English colonization of North America.

New World

This includes the areas of what is now known as North, Central, and South America. The Native Americans founded it. Columbus came across it while searching for an underwater route to India but accidentally found a “New World.”

Joint-stock Company

A joint-stock company is a type of business organization where the capital is divided into shares and owned by shareholders. It allows individuals to invest in the company and share in its profits and losses. The liability of shareholders is limited to the amount they have invested. Joint-stock companies are commonly used for large-scale businesses and provide a way for investors to pool their resources and spread the risk. They are governed by company laws and regulations.

Chief Powhatan

Chief Powhatan was the paramount chief of Tsenacommacah, a Native American tribe in Virginia during the early 17th century. He was the father of Pocahontas, who famously interacted with English colonists at Jamestown. Chief Powhatan helped settlers survive the first winter by sharing corn. As more settlers arrived to grow **tobacco** on cash crop farms, Europeans wanted more land. Native American relations worsened because of Jamestown Settlers. **Chief Powhatan** died in 1618 and his brother **Opechcanough** took the throne and launched a series of attacks on Jamestown.

“The Starving Time”

"The Starving Time" refers to a period of severe famine and hardship experienced by the English settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, in the winter of 1609-1610. During this time, the colonists faced food shortages, disease, and harsh weather conditions, resulting in the deaths of many settlers. It is considered one of the most challenging periods in the early history of Jamestown.

Tobacco

Became a huge “cash crop” for the English as many plantations in the New World began to profit off of Tobacco. It was brought in from the Old World by John Rolfe. Virginia grew in economic success from having plantations of growing Tobacco.

John Rolfe

John Rolfe was an English settler in Jamestown, Virginia, during the early 17th century. He is best known for introducing tobacco as a cash crop in Virginia, which greatly contributed to the colony's economic success. Rolfe also played a significant role in the establishment of peace between the English settlers and the Powhatan Confederacy through his marriage to Pocahontas, the daughter of Chief Powhatan. Their union helped to stabilize relations between the English and Native Americans for a brief period.

Headright System

The headright system was a land distribution system used in colonial America, particularly in the southern colonies. Under this system, land grants were given to individuals, known as "headrights," based on the number of people they brought to the colony. Each person, including **indentured servants** and **slaves**, counted as a headright. The headright system was used to encourage the settlement of new colonies and the importation of labor. It played a significant role in the expansion of the southern colonies, particularly Virginia.

Indentured Servants

Indentured servants were individuals who entered into a labor contract, known as an indenture, in exchange for passage to a new country or other benefits. They were typically bound to work for a specific period of time, usually between four to seven years, in order to repay their debt or gain their freedom. Indentured servitude was prevalent in the American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries, serving as a labor source for plantations and other industries.

House of Burgesses

The House of Burgesses was the first legislative assembly in the American colonies. It was established in Virginia in 1619 and played a significant role in the development of representative government in America.

Constitutional Monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where a monarch serves as the head of state within the parameters of a constitution. The monarch's powers are limited by the constitution, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of the monarch, as well as the rights and freedoms of the citizens. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial, with the actual governance being carried out by elected officials and a parliamentary system. This system provides a balance between the stability and continuity of a monarchy and the democratic principles of a constitutional framework.

King Henry VIII

He became the “pope” of the Church of England (Anglican) because he wanted a divorce which was because none of his wives gave him a boy. But the Catholic Church did not grant him his wishes, so he created a “new religion” that is the exact same as the Catholic Church only you can get divorced. He had 6 wives that were divorced, beheaded and died, divorced, beheaded, and survived.

Church of England

Synonyms include Anglican and Episcopal. The founder was King Henry VIII. Founded because of the “no divorces granted” rule in the Catholic Church. The Church of England is the exact same as the Catholic Church only it allows divorces.

Puritans

They were led by John Winthrop, and their goal was to “purify” their religion from Catholic rituals. They preached a very strong work ethic and maintained a society with a lot of very strict rules. They believed hard work proved religious devotion. If you didn’t work hard or spoke out against the Church, you would be kicked out. They didn’t believe in religious toleration, social equality, or giving political rights to non- church members. The puritan church was supposed to be your life.

Pilgrims (Separatists)

They were forced to leave England because they did not worship in the Church of England. They wanted to create a model Christian society in the New World. 100 Pilgrims set sail on **the Mayflower**. On board, they signed the **Mayflower Compact.** They landed at Cape Cod and were later absorbed into the **Massachusetts Bay Colony.**

Plymouth Colony

It was the first permanent English colony in New England from 1620 to 1691 and the second permanent English colony in America after the Jamestown Colony. Was settled by the passengers on the **Mayflower (aka Pilgrims).**

Mayflower Compact

A pledge saying the Pilgrims would govern themselves according to majority rule. It was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Was settled by 1000 Puritans which was led by John Winthrop. It was an English settlement on the east coast of North America around the Massachusetts Bay. The population was strongly Puritan and was governed largely by a small group of leaders strongly influenced by Puritan teachings.

John Winthrop

(1588- 1649) American colonial leader, born in England. He was the first governor in 1630-49 of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Gave the speech “A City Upon a Hill.”

“A City Upon a Hill” speech (or Arabella Sermon)

Leader John Winthrop made a very famous speech leaving England aboard a ship called the *Arabella,* where he argued that: __their ability to prosper as a colony through hard work would prove their devotion to God and become a symbol to the world.__

Salem Witch Trials

A series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. Over 150 people were accused, 29 were convicted, 19 were hanged and another 6 people died in prison.

Roger Williams

He was an English-born New England Puritan minister, theologian, and author who founded Rhode Island. He was banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony because he spoke the forbidden truth about the Puritans and so he started his own colony. He wanted individual rights, justice for Native Americans, and to ditch Anglican church leadership.

Anne Hutchison

She was a spiritual advisor and religious reformer who was banished like Roger Williams because she believed people could have a relationship with God without church leaders, and she held bible studies in her home. As a woman, this was a direct challenge to Puritan Church leaders.

Thomas Hooker

He was a prominent English colonial leader and Puritan minister from Massachusetts, who founded the Connecticut Colony after dissenting with Puritan leaders in Massachusetts.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

It was an early agreement between the colonial communities of Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor that established a representative government based on the example of a number of Massachusetts colonies. Connecticut was the first to write a constitution like this.

King Philip’s War (MA)

A war that pitted Native Americans against English settlers and their Indian allies. This was one of the bloodiest conflicts (per capita) in U.S. history. It took place in Massachusetts.

Pequot War (CT)

Was a war fought in 1636–37 by the Pequot people against a coalition of English settlers from the Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and Saybrook colonies and their Native American allies (including the Narragansett and Mohegan) that eliminated the Pequot as an impediment to English colonization of southern New England.

New Netherlands

a Dutch colony in North America (1613–64), comprising the area along the Hudson River and the lower Delaware River. By 1669 all of the land comprising this colony was taken over by England. Capital: New Amsterdam.

William Penn

The leader of Pennsylvania and the son of an English admiral (navy officer). He belonged to a religious group called the Religious Society of Friends aka, the Quakers.

Quakers (or Religious Society of Friends)

a member of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian sect, whose central belief is the doctrine of the Inner Light. Quakers reject sacraments, ritual, and formal ministry, hold meetings at which any member may speak, and have promoted many causes for social reform adjective

Indigo

a blue dye obtained from various plants, especially of the genus *Indigofera,* or manufactured synthetically.

Acts of Toleration

laws granting religious freedom for all Christians- Protestant and Catholic

Lord Baltimore

English statesman who projected the founding of the North American province of Maryland, in an effort to find a sanctuary for practicing Roman Catholics.

James Edward Oglethorpe

Was an English general and the founder of the colony of Georgia in North America. He planned the colony as a place for the very poor and for people persecuted for their religion.

New Spain

a Spanish viceroyalty of the 16th to 19th centuries, composed of Mexico, Central America north of Panama, the Spanish West Indies, the southwestern US, and the Philippines.

New France

a colony in North America that stretched from what is now known as eastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It was established by the French during the Age of Exploration and the quest to find a Northwest Passage to China.

Quebec

a province in eastern Canada.

Salutary Neglect

England gave the colonies freedom to pursue their own political and economic interests as long as they remained obedient.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that a nation’s power depends on its wealth. Exports-→ Imports= $$$

Raw Materials

They are used in England to produce manufactured goods. Examples are fur, fish, grains, timber, sugar, tobacco, indigo, tar, coal, iron ore, wool, rice, etc.

Manufactured Goods

Made from raw materials that include: cigarettes, clothes, furniture, jewelry, etc. The manufactured goods are sold back to the colonists in North America and people all over the world.

Trading Posts

a place where trading took place between colonists and natives

Plantations

large farms that used slave labor to grow cash crops like sugar, coffee, and tobacco

Trans- Atlantic Trade (or Triangular Trade)

an oceanic trade in African men, women, and children which lasted from the mid-sixteenth century until the 1860s.

Middle Passage

part of the Transatlantic trade connection between Africa with the New World

Olaudah Equiano

An enslaved man who bought his freedom and wrote compellingly about his experiences, Olaudah Equiano (1745–1797) was an extraordinary man who became a prominent figure associated with the campaign to abolish the slave trade.

Bacon’s Rebellion

 Nathanial Bacon grouped together an angry mob to burn Jamestown and Indian settlements as a protest for the reason that they didn't get any protection from the government. He was upset over the injustice of indentured servants.

Great Awakening

A religious movement influenced by revivals that swept through Europe in the 1730s. It placed an emphasis on the **individual religious experience** rather than the religious experiences through the church doctrine. It questioned the authorities of the Church of England but also the English monarchy.

The Enlightenment

A movement that emphasized logic and reason through **individual** thought. It marked a celebration of the powers of human reason, a keen interest in science, the promotion of religious toleration, and a desire to construct governments free of tyranny.

Protestants

Any Western Christian who is not an adherent of a Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Church.