Colonial Virginia History Quiz

Spanish explorer and conquistador who led a small military expedition into Mexico, conquering the Aztec Empire and establishing a reputation for brutality.

A system of economic policies that emphasizes national wealth accumulation through trade, primarily exports, and a favorable balance of trade.

A term used to describe the forceful removal of Africans from their homes and transportation to the Americas for enslavement.

A movement within Protestantism that sought to purify the Church of England from Catholic practices and doctrines, advocating for simpler worship and a greater emphasis on Scripture.

A religious group within Puritanism who believed that the Church of England could not be reformed and sought to establish their own independent congregations.

A doctrine in Calvinism that teaches that God has predetermined the eternal destiny of every person before birth, with some chosen for salvation and others for damnation.

A period of religious reform within the Church of England initiated by King Henry VIII, who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in order to divorce his wife and establish himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

A major religious movement that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing Scripture as the ultimate source of religious authority and rejecting papal supremacy.

A model of colonization that aimed to establish a distinct and separate English society within a region, isolating and suppressing the native Irish population.

A group of merchants who obtain a charter from a monarch granting them exclusive trading rights within a specific region.

A system of economic policies that prioritizes national wealth accumulation by maximizing exports and minimizing imports, often involving government intervention in trade.

A region in West Africa below the Sahara Desert, known for its diverse ethnic groups and cultures, many of whom were forcibly taken to the Americas during the slave trade.

The first permanent European settlement in the United States, established by Spanish conquistadors in what is now New Mexico.

A Native American religious leader who led a successful uprising against Spanish rule in Santa Fe in 1680, driving the Spanish out of the region temporarily.

A group of French fur traders and explorers who lived among and traded with Native American tribes, often establishing close relationships with them.

A system used in colonial Virginia where individuals who paid for the passage of laborers to the colony were granted 50 acres of land for each person they brought.

Contractual agreements where individuals worked for a set period of time (5-7 years) in exchange for passage to the colonies, promised land ("freedom dues"), and eventually freedom.

The Jamestown colony's shift to growing a harsh strain of tobacco, which grew rapidly and led to a flourishing tobacco industry, making Virginia a dominant tobacco producer.

The representative assembly established in Virginia in 1619, modeled after the English House of Commons, gave colonists a voice in their governance.

The practice of depleting the soil's nutrients through continuous tobacco cultivation, a major issue faced by Virginia's agriculture.

A religious revival that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century, emphasizing emotional religious experience and personal salvation.

English preacher who traveled throughout the colonies during the Great Awakening, known for his powerful sermons and charismatic style.

A payment or land given to indentured servants at the end of their service.

A form of slavery in which enslaved people are considered legal property, inheriting the status of their mother.

The forced journey of enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas, characterized by horrific conditions and high mortality rates.

Laws enacted in colonial America that strictly regulated the lives of enslaved people, limiting their rights and freedom.

The only major slave rebellion in colonial America, occurring in South Carolina in 1739, involving slaves killing white settlers, but ultimately suppressed.

The forced transportation of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. It was a brutal and inhumane journey characterized by overcrowding, disease, and death.

A rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon in Colonial Virginia, fueled by tensions between wealthy plantation owners and landless former servants.

A 1649 law passed in Maryland that granted freedom of worship to all Christians, but also mandated the execution of those who denied the divinity of Jesus (e.g., Jews, Atheists).

An agreement signed aboard the Mayflower in 1620, establishing a form of self-governance for the Plymouth Colony.

The belief that Puritan communities were bound by a covenant of grace with God and a social covenant with each other.

A period of religious revivalism in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s.

The first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is known for his writings on Puritan ideals and his leadership during the early years of the colony.

A prominent figure in the early days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for his religious views and his advocacy for separation of church and state.

An intelligent and outspoken woman who challenged Puritan authority by advocating for antinomianism, the belief in direct revelation from God.

A series of conflicts between English colonists and Native American tribes in New England, particularly the powerful Pequot tribe.

The first major conflict between English colonists and Native Americans in New England, led by Metacom (King Philip to the English).

A series of acts passed by the British Parliament to regulate colonial trade, aiming to control colonial commerce and enrich the British economy.

A short-lived administrative union created by King James II, combining the colonies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey under one governor.

The official document proclaiming the 13 American colonies' independence from Great Britain, laying out the reasons for separation and establishing the United States as a sovereign nation.

The group of Americans who remained loyal to Great Britain during the American Revolution, often facing persecution and hostility from those favoring independence.

A system of government adopted by the newly independent American colonies, establishing a weak central government with limited powers and leaving most authority to individual states.

The initial struggles of the newly formed Continental Army in raising troops, acquiring supplies, and funding the war effort, particularly lacking manufacturing capabilities and facing limited resources.

The decision by the Continental Congress to establish a national army under the leadership of George Washington, emphasizing his prestige and proven military experience, despite early setbacks.

The British initial underestimate of the colonial rebellion, treating it as an anti-insurgency operation rather than a full-fledged war, which led to strategic errors and ultimately hampered their campaign.

The battle at Breed's Hill, known as Bunker Hill, showcasing the determination of the American forces and inflicting heavy casualties on the British, despite ultimately losing the hill.

The British strategic retreat from Boston in 1776, recognizing the difficulty of fighting a war from the city, leading to a significant early victory for the American forces.

The United States' strategic and logistical advantages during the Revolution, including familiarity with the homefront terrain, a strong motivation for independence, and eventual support from foreign allies.

The significant blunders committed by the British early in the war, contributing to their eventual defeat, which included underestimating the colonial forces, misinterpreting their motivation, and failing to adequately secure key areas.

The initial phase of the American Revolution centered in New England, demonstrating the strength of colonial forces and leading to major British setbacks.

The 1775 invasion of Canada by the American forces, ultimately failing to secure the territory and resulting in a defeat.

The successful suppression of a loyalist uprising in North Carolina in 1776, highlighting the commitment of American patriots to independence and challenging British plans for a southern strategy.

The complex relationship between the new American states and the nascent government, highlighting the internal struggle over regional autonomy and the balance of power between a central government and individual states.

The British shifted their strategy to focusing on securing loyalist support in the South, believing a majority would readily assist them.

Many Native American tribes were drawn into the American Revolution, siding with either the British or the Americans, often based on potential benefits or fears of consequences.

Despite fighting on opposing sides, the American Revolution had a significant impact on the role of women in society, prompting discussions about their education and rights.

The American Revolution had a lasting impact on the economy, shifting away from dependence on the British Empire and fostering domestic trade and manufacturing.

Following their defeat at Saratoga, the British faced internal division and reduced commitment to the war effort, leading them to re-evaluate their strategy.

Even before declaring independence, the Continental Congress actively sought alliances with European powers, with France becoming their most crucial partner in the fight against Britain.

The British underestimated the strength of the American resistance and the extent of loyalist support in the South, resulting in a prolonged and ultimately unsuccessful campaign.

The American Revolution introduced a new style of warfare in the South, characterized by guerrilla tactics and widespread mobilization of the population, ultimately contributing to the American victory.

The British faced numerous setbacks in the South, including guerilla tactics and the eventual capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown, which marked a pivotal moment in the war.

The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent nation, granting it a vast territory.

The American Revolution sparked debate about the nature of government and society, with some arguing that the fight for independence was also a struggle for social change.

The American Revolution had a profound impact on the lives of minorities, particularly loyalists and African Americans who faced persecution or sought opportunities for freedom.

The American Revolution impacted the role of slavery, particularly in the South, where both sides used the institution as a tool in the war.

The American Revolution saw widespread involvement of women, who took on new roles, protested against British actions, and contributed to the war effort in various ways.

The American Revolutionary War led to the creation of new state constitutions, reflecting the ideals of republicanism and seeking to define and limit the power of government.

After the Revolution, there was a reassessment of state governments, leading to some changes in the distribution of power and a shift towards less democratic practices.