Units 1 and 2: 1491-1754

Pre-Columbian Era

Time period before the arrival of Columbus, characterized by the existence of Native American civilizations.

Pueblo people

Indigenous people living in the Desert Southwest, known for their stone houses.

Chinook people

Native American tribe from the Pacific Northwest, known for their hunting and foraging lifestyle.

Iroquois

First Native Americans to encounter Europeans, known for their agricultural practices and living along the Atlantic coast.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, foods, diseases, and ideas between Europe and the Americas following Columbus's voyages.

Encomienda system

A Spanish colonial system where colonists were granted authority over Native Americans to convert them to Catholicism and protect them.

Mestizos

People of mixed European and Native American ancestry, often found in Spanish colonies.

Spanish Armada

A fleet sent by Spain to invade England; its defeat kept European powers away from the New World.

Virginia Company

A joint-stock company that established the Jamestown colony in America.

Headright system

A system that granted land to settlers and potential newcomers to attract them to Virginia.

House of Burgesses

The first legislative assembly in the American colonies, established in Virginia.

Pequot War

Conflict between English settlers and the Pequot tribe over land and resources in Connecticut.

King Philip’s War

A conflict between Native American tribes and English settlers, led by Metacomet (King Philip) that greatly diminished the native presence in New England.

Middle Passage

The sea route used for the transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, characterized by harsh conditions.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of colonies in providing wealth to the mother country through trade.

Bacon’s Rebellion

A populist uprising in colonial Virginia led by Nathaniel Bacon against the colonial government due to class resentment and frontier issues.

Stono Uprising

The first major slave uprising in the colonies, where enslaved people killed and stole weapons in an attempt to escape to Florida.

Dominion of New England

A governmental consolidation of multiple colonies in New England by the English crown to enforce trade regulations.

First Great Awakening

A religious revival movement in the colonies that emphasized personal faith and emotion in religion, led by figures like Jonathan Edwards.

Halfway Covenant

An agreement allowing partial membership in Puritan congregations, aimed at increasing church attendance.

Plymouth Colony

The first successful English colony in America, founded by Separatists and known for the Mayflower Compact.

Puritanism

A religious reform movement in England that aimed to purify the Anglican Church of Catholic practices.

Salem Witch Trials

A series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts, leading to public hysteria.