Colonial Period Flashcards
(43 cards)
Who were Ferdinand and Isabella and why did they seek confirmation of their ownership in the Americas?
The joint monarchs of Spain feared the interference of seafaring Portugal in the age of exploration
What was the Line of Demarcation?
Spain urged the Pope to draw the line of demarcation (100 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands) the east was declared for Portugal & the west for Spain
What was the result of the treaty of Tordesillas?
In 1494, the Line of Demarcation was moved farther west to give more land to Portugal. Brazil became Portuguese as a result.
Who was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean?
Vasco Nunez de Balboa after crossing Panama in 1513.
Who claimed Florida for Spain as he searched for the fountain of youth?
Prince de Leon in 1513
Who was Hernando Cortez?
The Spaniard was mistaken for a god by the Aztecs and defeated them with firearms, horses and small pox.
Describe the earliest European exploration of the interior of North America
Several Spaniards failed to find riches and many expeditions were deadly. Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi and Fransisco Vasquez explored Oklahoma through New Mexico. Spain asserted claims as a result.
What was an encomienda?
Ruthless slave labor system developed by Spain to enslave native Americans.
Why did the Spaniards begin importing African slaves?
When the Native American population died from overwork and European diseases.
What were the three strata of Spanish society members in New Spain?
Peninsulares, Creoles & mestizos
Who was the first European since the Vikings to reach mainland North America?
John Cabot claimed North America for England in 1497
Describe early French exploration of North America
In 1524 the King of France began authorizing expeditions in search of the northwest passage (to China). Explorers reached Montreal and were stopped by Rapids. They did not return to America for 65 years.
How did English colonization differ from that of the rest of the world?
Although the English were late to the game, their efforts were privately funded rather than governmentally funded, resulting in greater freedom.
Why was the 16th century a violent time in both Europe & America?
Because of New World rivalries and differences between Protestants and Catholics
Explain how England became a great global power and colonization force?
The French and English made sport of plundering what the Spaniards stole from the Native Americans. Angered by the embarrassment, King Phillip the second dispatched the Spanish Armada in 1588 to attack England, but was defeated cleanly. The war continued until 1604.
Describe the significance of Roanoke Island
The first English settlement in the Americas, Roanoke Island was chartered privately and offered the full rights of English citizens to its constituents. In 1587 the first settlers landed, but when leader John White returned in 1590 the settlement was deserted.
Describe the significance of Jamestown
Supported by the sale of shares of stock, the Virginia Company of London set out in 1607 and settled Jamestown. During early years, settlers suffered from starvation, disease and hostility with natives. All members shared the profits, resulting in low work incentives. Settlers also wasted time searching for riches. John Smith’s leadership kept the colony from collapsing by instilling the “He who works not, eats not” rule.
What factor secured more labor and immigration to the Virginias?
In 1612, John Rolfe discovered a superior strain of tobacco. The indentured servant system supported the immigration of England’s lower class, but the system was often abused. Virginia became known as a death trap.
How was the “death trap” of the indentured servant system reformed in the Virginias?
In 1619 the colonists, based on their promise of equal rights to English citizens, established the House of Burgesses and instituted the private ownership of land.
Describe relations between the Virginian settlers and Native Americans during the first half of the 1600’s
Several times, Native Americans massacred over 300 settlers. Shortly after, the English subdued the Native Americans. Due to the violence, King James I revoked the London Company’s charter and made them a royal colony.
Describe the French/Indian relations of the first half of the 1600’s.
Following England’s renewed interest in the Americas, the French returned to Canada in 1608 and began a lucrative fur trade with the Native Americans. The French settled in Canada and explored the Great Lakes and Mississippi. New France was handicapped by an inadequate population and lack of support from France.
Describe the New Netherlands
Unstable and small, the Dutch settled in the Northeast, founding the Hudson river and built large estates to house upwards of 50 families. This offer was unattractive to the stable economy of Holland.
Who were the Separatists?
Leaving England for religious reasons, the Separatists believed the Church of England was beyond saving. Led by William Bradford, the famous group of Separatists left England for Holland and respectively for the Americas on the Mayflower in 1620. Eventually they bought out the investors who sponsored them.
Who were the Puritans?
Far more numerous than the Separatists, they took the Bible very seriously and felt the Anglican Church retained too many unscriptural practices from Roman Catholocism. In 1629, King Charles I chose to rule without the Puritan dominated parliament and also persecuted the them heavily. In turn, the Puritans formed the Massachusetts Bay Company and took advantage of the charter’s unclear wording and made their headquarters in their new colony. Over 20,000 Puritans migrated by 1642.
