What shaped the diverse cultures of Native American societies before contact?
Different environments
Examples include Great Plains nomadic buffalo hunters and Eastern Woodlands agriculture with permanent villages.
What crop supported population growth and complex societies in Native American cultures?
Corn (Maize)
Maize spread from Mexico northward.
What were the three main motives for European exploration?
God, Gold, Glory
These motives drove many European powers to explore and colonize the Americas.
What items were introduced to the Americas during the Columbian Exchange?
Horses, cattle, pigs, wheat, smallpox
These items had significant impacts on Native American societies.
What items were brought to Europe from the Americas during the Columbian Exchange?
Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, syphilis
These items contributed to improved European diets and population growth.
What system did the Spanish use that forced Native labor?
Encomienda System
This system was later replaced by African slavery.
What was the Caste System in Spanish colonization?
Rigid racial hierarchy
Europeans at the top, Natives/Africans at the bottom, with mixed races in between.
What was the response of the Aztecs to Christian missionaries?
Resistance
An example includes the Aztec response to Franciscans.
How did the French and Dutch typically interact with Native Americans?
Cooperative trade relations
Especially in the fur trade.
What was the primary economy in the Chesapeake colonies?
Tobacco
John Rolfe played a key role in saving Jamestown through tobacco cultivation.
What labor system transitioned to African slavery in the Chesapeake colonies?
Indentured servitude
This transition accelerated after Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676.
Who settled New England colonies and what was their motivation?
Puritans; religious motivation
They established a mixed economy with small farms.
What characterized the Middle Colonies in terms of demographics?
Diversity of people/religions
They were known as the breadbasket colonies and commerce/trade hubs.
What type of agriculture was prevalent in the Southern Colonies?
Plantation agriculture
Key crops included rice and indigo.
By what time was slavery legally established in all colonies?
1700s
The plantation economy heavily relied on enslaved Africans.
What event in 1676 accelerated the transition from indentured servants to African slavery?
Bacon’s Rebellion
This rebellion involved frustrated frontier farmers rebelling against the Virginia governor.
What was the religious stance of the Puritans in New England?
Strict orthodoxy
Religious dissent was often punished.
Who were key figures that challenged Puritan leadership?
Anne Hutchinson, Roger Williams
They were notable for their dissenting views.
What economic policy required colonies to supply raw materials to Britain?
Mercantilism
Colonies were expected to buy manufactured goods from Britain.
What was the Triangular Trade route?
Rum → Africa (slaves) → West Indies (sugar) → NE
This trade route was integral to colonial economies.
What role did colonial cities play in the economy?
Mercantile centers for trade & distribution
They facilitated the exchange of goods.
What major conflicts arose as English settlers expanded?
Powhatan Wars, Pequot War, King Philip’s War
These conflicts were frequent due to land expansion.
What does Bacon’s Rebellion reveal about colonial society?
Class tension + frontier defense issues
It highlighted the struggles between different social classes and the need for land security.
Fill in the blank: The Chesapeake colonies were known for _______.
Tobacco
This crop was crucial for their economy.
