Colonial America Study Guide
Vocabulary
established, v. Set up, started, or created; put on a firm footing for the long term
colony, n. An area settled by a group of people from another country that remains
connected to the newly settled area and its people
plantations, n. Large farms or estates in warm climates, usually growing a large, single
crop, such as cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, rice, or indigo
indentured servants, n. People who agreed to work for a time—typically seven years—
in exchange for travel to the New World, in addition to lodging, clothing, and food
slavery, n. The practice of forcing people to work without pay as enslaved people, and
denying them the freedom to decide how to live their lives
debtors, n. People who owe money or favors to others
Mayflower Compact, n. An agreement signed in 1620 on the Mayflower among the Pilgrims to
form a government
pilgrimage, n. A journey taken for religious reasons
dependence, n. Reliance on someone or something for support or help
reclaimed, v. Took something back that originally belonged to you; claimed again
Quakers, n. Members of a Christian Protestant religion, also known as the Religious Society of
Friends, which was started in England in the 1600s and exists today
treason, n. An act that causes harm to one’s country while aiding the enemies of that country;
an act of disloyalty
treaty, n. A formal agreement between two or more countries or people
taxing, v. Demanding a payment be made to the government, usually to support
services provided by the government
independence, n. Freedom; the state of not being controlled by or dependent upon
another entity or person
Facts to Know
~ The Dutch, French, and the Spanish were exploring and settling in the Americas
at the time the English started establishing colonies.
~ Philadelphia, Boston and Charles Town were important cities in colonial
America.
~Roanoke became known as the “Lost Colony” since no one knew what happened
to this first group of settlers.
~ The colonists arrived in Jamestown in the year 1607.
~ The first-known African laborers brought to the colonies in the year 1619.
~ The Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in the year 1620.
~ The Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence on
July 4, 1776.
~ Jamestown was the 1st colony to be successfully settled.
~ The three ships that brought the English to Jamestown were the Godspeed, the
Discovery, and the Susan Constant.
~ Tobacco, rice and indigo were cash crops in the Southern colonies.