Colonial Figures and Events Study Guide PDF

Colonial Figures and Events Aztec Civilization: Advanced Mesoamerican civilization conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. John Locke: English philosopher known for his ideas on natural rights and social contract theory. Sugar Act: 1764 British law aimed at raising...

Colonial Figures and Events Aztec Civilization: Advanced Mesoamerican civilization conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century. John Locke: English philosopher known for his ideas on natural rights and social contract theory. Sugar Act: 1764 British law aimed at raising revenue in the American colonies through duties on sugar and molasses. Bacon’s Rebellion: 1676 armed rebellion in Virginia against Governor William Berkeley's policies. Salem Witchcraft Trials: Series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Common Sense: Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating independence from Great Britain. Boston Massacre: 1770 incident where British soldiers killed five colonists in Boston, escalating tensions. Dominion of New England: Administrative union of English colonies in the New England region. Mayflower Compact: Agreement signed by Pilgrims in 1620, establishing a self-governing colony. French and Indian War: Conflict between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. Boston Tea Party: 1773 protest against British taxation where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor. George Whitefield: Influential preacher during the Great Awakening, emphasizing personal salvation. Sons of Liberty: Secret organization formed to protect the rights of the colonists and fight taxation by the British government. Columbian Exchange: Exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus' voyages. Society of Friends (Quakers): Religious group known for their tolerance, pacifism, and abolitionist stance. Bering Land Bridge: Theoretical land bridge that connected Asia and North America during the last Ice Age. British Monarchs and Acts Henry VIII: King of England known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Elizabeth I: Queen of England during the period of English Renaissance, known for her stability and prosperity. James Madison: Fourth President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers.  Charles I: King of England whose reign led to the English Civil War and his eventual execution. James Madison: Fourth President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers. George Washington: Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States. Anne Hutchinson: Puritan spiritual adviser, religious reformer, and an important figure in the development of religious freedom in the American colonies. John Smith: English soldier, explorer, and colonial governor who helped establish the Jamestown colony in Virginia. John Winthrop: Puritan lawyer and one of the leading figures in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Edwards: American preacher and theologian known for his role in the First Great Awakening. John Calvin: Influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. Roger Williams: Puritan minister who founded the colony of Rhode Island after being exiled from Massachusetts. William Penn: Founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, known for his ideals in religious freedom and democracy. Richard Hakluyt: English writer and promoter of colonization who encouraged English merchants to establish colonies. John Smith: English soldier, explorer, and colonial governor who helped establish the Jamestown colony in Virginia. Key Events and Concepts Middle Passage: Brutal journey of African slaves from Africa to the Americas as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Great Awakening: Religious revival movement in the American colonies emphasizing individual piety and emotion. Mercantilism: Economic theory that a nation's wealth is measured by its accumulation of gold and silver. Navigation Acts: Series of British regulations restricting colonial trade and navigation. English Civil War: Series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists in the 17th century. Proclamation of 1763: British order prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains after the French and Indian War. Glorious Revolution: 1688 overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians. Intolerable Acts: Punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. Stamp Act: 1765 British law imposing a direct tax on the American colonies, leading to widespread protests.  Salutary Neglect: Unofficial British policy of lenient or lax enforcement of parliamentary laws regarding the American colonies. Boycott Movement: Collective refusal to buy certain goods or services as a form of protest or activism. Pueblo Revolt: 1680 uprising of Pueblo Indians against Spanish colonizers in present-day New Mexico. West Indies: Caribbean islands colonized by various European powers for sugar production. Northwest Passage: Fabled sea route through North America connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Powhatan: Native American chief of the Powhatan confederacy in Virginia during the early colonial period. Middle Passage: Brutal journey of African slaves from Africa to the Americas as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Key Concepts and Ideas Impact of European Arrival on Native Americans The arrival of Europeans in the New World led to significant cultural disruptions for Native American societies. Native Americans were exposed to new diseases, leading to devastating population declines. Europeans imposed their own social, economic, and religious systems on Native Americans, often through force and coercion. Native American lands were taken over by European colonizers, leading to displacement and loss of traditional ways of life. The introduction of European goods and technologies also impacted Native American cultures and economies. Case Study: Aztec Civilization - Conquered by the Spanish, the Aztecs faced violence, disease, and forced conversion to Christianity. Enlightenment and Great Awakening in Colonies The Enlightenment emphasized reason, science, and individual rights, influencing colonial thought and governance. The Great Awakening was a religious revival that emphasized emotional connection to God and individual salvation. Both movements challenged traditional authority and paved the way for ideas of independence and self-governance. Case Study: John Edwards - His preaching during the Great Awakening sparked religious fervor and introspection in the colonies.  The Enlightenment encouraged critical thinking and skepticism towards established institutions. Transition to Race-Based Slavery The transition to race-based slavery in the mainland English colonies institutionalized the dehumanization of Africans. Slaves in the colonies faced harsh living conditions, brutal treatment, and lack of basic rights. Life for slaves varied by region, with harsher conditions in the Southern colonies due to plantation economies. Slaves in the North had relatively more opportunities for freedom and mobility compared to the South. Case Study: Middle Passage - The horrific journey of slaves from Africa to the Americas exemplified the brutality of the slave trade. Colonies in the British System The colonies were part of the British mercantilist system, existing to enrich the mother country. Important trading partners for the colonies included Great Britain and other European powers. Colonies provided raw materials to Britain and served as markets for British manufactured goods. Mercantilism led to tensions as the colonies sought economic independence and faced restrictions on trade. Case Study: Navigation Acts - Regulations that limited colonial trade to benefit British merchants and control colonial economies. Regional Lifestyles and Societies New England colonies had a strong emphasis on family, community, and religious values. Middle Colonies were known for their diversity, tolerance, and agricultural economies. Chesapeake region relied heavily on tobacco cultivation, leading to a plantation-based economy. New England had town meetings and a strong sense of community governance. Case Study: Salem Witchcraft Trials - Reflecting tensions in Puritan society, the trials highlighted fears of witchcraft and social instability.