Early Colonial Government and Documents

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Questions and Answers

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It was a treaty between Native Americans and settlers.

It marked the first government with all male participation. (correct)

It was the first legislation for freedom of religion.

It established the first written constitution in the colonies.

What key principle did the Maryland Toleration Act introduce?

Complete freedom of religion for all settlers.

Separation of church and state.

Establishment of an official state religion.

Toleration of different Christian denominations. (correct)

Which document is known as the first written constitution in the colonies?

Maryland Toleration Act

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (correct)

Treatise on Civil Government

Mayflower Compact

What was the primary belief of Roger Williams that led to the establishment of Rhode Island?

Separation of church and state is essential. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did John Locke's 'Social Contract' emphasize?

Citizens must remain loyal and volunteer for defense. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the creation of the House of Burgesses?

Desire for self-governance in Virginia. Signup and view all the answers

Which colony was established as a haven for Catholics?

Maryland Signup and view all the answers

Which colony was originally granted to Lord Carteret and Lord Berkeley?

New Jersey Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of white settlers came to the colonies as indentured servants prior to 1760?

50 to 75% Signup and view all the answers

What was a common duration of indenture for indentured servants?

3 to 7 years Signup and view all the answers

What led Merchants and Planters to replace indentured servitude with permanent slave labor?

Fear of a growing number of unemployed indentured servants Signup and view all the answers

By 1760, what fraction of laborers in the colonies were indentured servants?

1/3 Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor that determined social status in the colonies?

Wealth and talent Signup and view all the answers

What code enforced the permanent servitude of African slaves between 1662-1680?

Slave Codes Signup and view all the answers

What event in 1807 affected the importation of Africans into the colonies?

Constitutional Convention agreement Signup and view all the answers

Which invention notably increased the demand for slave labor after slavery was thought to be dying out?

Cotton Gin Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the deaths of 5 colonists and 6 being wounded?

The Boston Massacre Signup and view all the answers

What action did Governor Hutchinson take after the Boston Massacre?

He removed the troops from the town. Signup and view all the answers

What symbol remained after the repeal of the Townshend Duties?

The duty on tea Signup and view all the answers

Why did the British East India Company (B.E.I.C.) receive a monopoly on the colonial tea trade?

To support its financial difficulties Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the Boston Massacre that affected colonial governance?

The Crown began paying colonial governors directly. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Committees of Correspondence aim to do?

Keep colonists informed of Crown threats Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the British soldiers' behavior during the Boston Massacre?

They behaved well until one soldier accidentally fired. Signup and view all the answers

What was the public's reaction to the victims of the Boston Massacre?

They organized a public funeral. Signup and view all the answers

How many casualties did the British and Colonial forces suffer combined during the events described?

366 Signup and view all the answers

What document did the colonies send in an attempt to seek peace before escalating to war?

The Olive Branch Petition Signup and view all the answers

What was George Washington's role following the 2nd Continental Congress?

He commanded the Continental Army. Signup and view all the answers

Which battle had both sides suffering approximately a 40% casualty rate?

Battle of Bunker Hill Signup and view all the answers

What action did King George III take in response to the news of the Battle of Bunker Hill?

He disregarded the Olive Branch Petition. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Letters of Marquis granted to merchant sailors?

To commission them as commanders of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Signup and view all the answers

What was Parliament's response to the escalating conflict with the colonies in the Fall of 1775?

The American Prohibitory Act. Signup and view all the answers

Which Act was passed in 1765 that imposed a tax on printed materials in the colonies?

Stamp Act Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the meeting in Philadelphia in September involving representatives from the colonies?

To organize a response to British policies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a result of the Congress's advice to Massachusetts?

The drafting of a State Constitution Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Non-Importation Associations established by the colonies?

To enforce a boycott of English goods Signup and view all the answers

What event is referred to as 'the shot heard round the world'?

The skirmish at Concord's Old North Bridge Signup and view all the answers

What action did General Thomas Gage take in anticipation of violence from the colonists?

He sent soldiers to seize a Royal ammunition depot Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the confrontation at Lexington?

Several members of the militia were killed or wounded Signup and view all the answers

What did the Suffolk Resolves call for regarding the actions of the British army?

To arms for self-defense against the British army Signup and view all the answers

During their retreat to Boston, how did the British soldiers experience the journey back?

They were ambushed and faced significant fire Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Colonial Government & Key Documents

Mayflower Compact (1621): The first government with all-male participation in the colonies, established in Plymouth.
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639): The first written constitution in the colonies, focusing on land ownership and defining citizen rights.
Freedom of Religion (1644): Established in Rhode Island, emphasizing separation of church and state to keep faith pure.
Maryland Toleration Act (1649): Granted religious tolerance in Maryland, while still allowing for an established church funded by taxes.

The Original 13 Colonies

Virginia (1607): Founded by the London Company, housing the House of Burgesses (the first representative assembly in the colonies).
Massachusetts (1620 & 1630): Home to the Pilgrims (Plymouth Plantation) & Puritans (Massachusetts Bay), advocating for religious freedom and a "City Upon a Hill" ideal.
New Hampshire (1623): Separated itself from Massachusetts.
New York (1626): Initially controlled by the Dutch (as New Amsterdam and Albany), it was captured by the Duke of York in 1664.
New Jersey (1626): Initially granted to Lord Carteret & Lord Berkeley, it was later sold to Quaker interests.
Maryland (1634): Founded as a haven for Catholics by Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore.
Rhode Island (1644): Established by Roger Williams, who was exiled for advocating church-state separation and Native American compensation.
Connecticut (1662): Founded by Thomas Hooker, emphasizing land ownership as a right instead of religious sainthood.
South Carolina (1650): Initially granted to supporters of King Charles I, it attempted feudalism but was later dominated by large plantation owners using slave labor.

Indentured Servants & Transition to Slavery

Indentured Servitude (1600s-1760s): Over 50-75% of white settlers came to the colonies as indentured servants, offering labor in exchange for freedom dues.
Bacon’s Rebellion (1676): This uprising, led by Nathaniel Bacon, resulted in fear of landless "rabble" demanding changes, leading to the shift towards permanent slave labor.
Decline of Indentured Labor (1760s): Indentured service declined to 1/3 of the labor force, replaced by growing reliance on enslaved Africans.

Social Mobility : The colonies offered the promise of social advancement through hard work and talent, prioritizing wealth over birthright.
Middle Class Values: Emphasized work ethic, reward for talent, and minimal government interference in individual advancement.
Restricted Social Mobility: African Americans, women, and enslaved people were restricted by law from social mobility.

The Growth & Impact of Slavery

Expansion of Slavery (1662-1775): Approximately 500,000 enslaved Africans were brought to the English colonies, becoming 20% of the colonial population.
Slave Codes (1662-1680): Laws were passed to perpetuate the permanent servitude of enslaved Africans, making it an inherited status.
Abolition & Taxing of Slavery (1774-1804): Most Northern states abolished or taxed slavery out of existence.
Transatlantic Slave Trade Ban (1807): The Constitutional Convention prohibited the importation of enslaved Africans.
Revival of Slavery (1793): The invention of the cotton gin increased the demand for slave labor, leading to a resurgence of the practice.
Enslaved Population by the Civil War (1861): Approximately 4 million African Americans were enslaved, primarily in the South.

The Boston Massacre (1770)

Trigger: Two British soldiers were attacked by colonists, leading to a tense situation.
Escalation: Captain Preston, with soldiers, arrived to de-escalate, but the mob threw snow and hurled abuse.
Casualties: A soldier accidentally fired, causing a chain reaction and the death of five colonists and injury of six.
Aftermath: The British Army withdrew from Boston, and the soldiers were acquitted, leading to a growing sense of resentment among colonists.

The Boston Tea Party (1773)

Tea Act: Parliament granted a monopoly on colonial tea trade to the financially struggling British East India Company.
Colonial Response: The Continental Congress issued declarations and resolves, stating that Parliament did not have the right to tax the colonies.
Boycott: Non-Importation Associations were established to enforce a complete boycott of English goods.
Massachusetts Charter: Congress advised Massachusetts to create a state constitution as a response to the Crown's repeal of their charter.
Suffolk Resolves: Called for Massachusetts citizens to arm themselves in self-defense against further British control.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)

British Objective: General Gage ordered 800 soldiers to seize a colonial ammunition depot in Concord.
Lexington: Colonial militia members were fired upon by British soldiers, leading to eight deaths and ten injuries.
Concord: British troops destroyed colonial supplies, but were confronted by militia forces at the Old North Bridge.
Colonial Response: The news of the British actions sparked widespread resistance, with colonists harassing retreating British troops.
Siege of Boston: Colonial forces surrounded Boston, preventing further British incursions.

The Second Continental Congress (1775)

Purpose: Representatives reconvened to assess the success of prior actions and address the rising tensions.
Key Actions:
- Declaration of Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms
- The Olive Branch Petition was sent to King George III, seeking peace.
- George Washington was appointed as commander of the Continental Army.
- Letters of Marque were granted to merchant sailors, authorizing them to engage in privateering.

Build Up to the Revolution

Key Acts & Events:
- 1763: Proclamation Act
- 1764: Sugar Act
- 1765: Stamp Act
- 1766: Repeal of Stamp Act and passage of the Declaratory Act
- 1767: Townshend Duties
- 1768: British Army sent to Boston and publication of "Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer."
- 1773: Passage of the Tea Act
- 1774: First Continental Congress
- 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord

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Description

Explore the foundational documents and government structures established in the early colonial period of America. This quiz covers critical elements such as the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and significant acts promoting religious tolerance. Test your knowledge of these historic frameworks that shaped early American society.