Ch. 3 Settlements Take Root

monarchs Rulers, kings, queens, ect.

encomienda A grant from the Spanish government that gave a Spanish settler the right to control local Native Americans

Class structure A system for ranking people, often according to power of wealth

missionary Someone who travels to a new land to persuade others to believe in a particular religion

investor A person who gives money to a business hoping to earn more money in return

Cash crop A crop raised to sell Not for use by the people who farm it

House of Burgesses A special legislative body (government) set up by the Virginia Company for the colonists to govern themselves In England a burgess represented a town

representatives People chosen by voters to speak and act for them

pilgrim A person who goes on a religious journey

Mayflower Compact An agreement to explain how the Pilgrims would govern themselves A promise to work together

Indentured servant Someone who agrees to work without pay for someone else for a set time They would get food, clothing and shelter They would work between a few months and 10 years At the end of the agreement the servant is free

Puritans People who left England so that they could practice religion freely.

Northwest Passage A shortcut by water across North America to Asia

commerce The business of buying and selling goods