New England
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island; primarily Puritan, not religiously tolerant; trade, fishing/whaling, subsistence farming
Jamestown
The first successful settlement in the Virginia colony founded in May, 1607. Harsh conditions nearly destroyed the colony but in 1610 supplies arrived with a new wave of settlers. The settlement became part of the Virginia Company of London in 1620. The population remained low due to lack of supplies until agriculture was solidly established. Jamestown grew to be a prosperous shipping port when John Rolfe introduced tobacco as a major export and cash crop.
salutary neglect
British colonial policy during the reigns of George I and George II; relaxed supervision of internal colonial affairs contributed significantly to the rise of American self government
English Bill of Rights
It guaranteed certain rights to English citizens and declared that elections for Parliament would happen frequently. By accepting this document, they supported a limited monarchy, a system in which they shared their power with Parliament and the people.
rule of law
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Magna Carta
The document that English nobles forced King John to approve in 1215, limiting the king's power and protecting the rights of the people.
Mayflower Compact
1620 - The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony.
House of Burgesses
The first official legislative assembly in the Colonies
Town Meetings
meeting in colonial New England where settlers discussed and voted on issues
natural rights
the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property
Middle Colonies
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Economy based on farming (wheat, barley, and rye) and trade; settled by Quakers who believed in non-violence (pacifism); had the most religious tolerance/diversity
Southern Colonies
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; very rural with large farms "plantations" that used of slave labor; tobacco, indigo, and rice were grown with tobacco being the largest cash crop
Democracy
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Republicanism
a form of government in which people elect representatives to create and enforce laws
John Locke
English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.
Benjamin Franklin
American intellectual, inventor, and politician He helped to negotiate French support for the American Revolution.
Rule of Law
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Mercantilism
An economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and by selling more goods than they bought
Middle Passage
A voyage that brought enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to North America and the West Indies
Triangular Trade
A three way system of trade during 1600-1800s Africa sent slaves to America, America sent Raw Materials to Europe, and Europe sent Guns and Rum to Africa
Quakers
English dissenters who broke from Church of England, preache a doctrine of pacificism, inner divinity, and social equity, under William Penn they founded Pennsylvania
John Winthrop
Puritan governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Speaker of "City upon a hill
Rodger Williams
1603-83) Colonial clergymen and founder of Rhode Island, born in England. After being expelled from Massachusetts, he founded the commonwealth of Providence, based on religious freedom.
Puritans
A religious group who wanted to purify the Church of England. They came to America for religious freedom and settled Massachusetts Bay.
Mayflower Compact
1620 - The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony.
Columbian Exchange
The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.
cash crops in southern colonies
tobacco, rice, indigo
Maryland Toleration Act
Act that was passed in Maryland that guaranteed toleration to all Christians, regardless of sect but not to those who did not believe in the divinity of Jesus. Though it did not sanction much tolerance, the act was the first seed that would sprout into the first amendment, granting religious freedom to all.
Limited Government
A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
egalitarian
promoting equal rights for all people
Social Contract Theory
A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed
Right of Revolution
The right to overthrow a government that abuses the peoples' natural rights
Stamp Act
1765; law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc.
Intolerable Acts
series of laws passed in 1774 to punish Boston for the Tea Party
Quartering Act
1765 - Required the colonials to provide food, lodging, and supplies for the British troops in the colonies.
consent of the governed
The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.