DISCOVERY AND COLONIZATION ID’s

Cavaliers In the early 16oo’s These were settlers in Virginia who were descendents of the English Nobility who supported the crown during the English Civil War and received land grants in the New World (usually Virginia). They came to be known as the First Families of Virginia. Cavaliers amassed large tracts of land and established a rich, elite plantar class who possessed a large amount of political power.

House of Burgesses An example of representative democracy established in 17 th century Virginia. The settlers of Virginia, acting upon a proposal by George Yeardley, met in Jamestown and created an elected assembly in Only white males who possessed 50 or more acres of land were allowed to vote or hold office in this legislature. It was the first popularly elected legislature in the New World which differed it from the town hall meetings in New England. The House of Burgesses was a foundation of representative government in the nation to come.

Headright System System used by the Virginia Company in the 17 th century, to attract of labor and capital to their American colony. It offered 50 acres of Land to all who pay their own way to VA, and an additional 50 for every person that accompanies them with paid passage. The results were thousands of single men and a few hundred unemployed women risk, the uncertainty to establish themselves in the Colonies.

Puritans Religious group that wished to “purify” the Anglican Church in England. They believed in Calvin’s teachings which included the belief that neither the Catholic or Anglican Churches addressed God’s will. In England, they were called “Separatists” because of their desire to separate from the Anglican church. For this, they were persecuted. To escape this persecution, the Puritans settled in the New World in the early 1600’s. Ironically, they sought religious freedom, but did not grant it to non-Puritans. They started the New England colonies and adopted the Pilgrims ideas of democratic government in the New World. They, too, were responsible for laying the foundation of religious freedom and democracy in America.

Town Meetings Meetings held by Puritan townspeople in New England for the purpose of making government decisions. All (free, white) males voted and the majority ruled. This was a foundation of democracy in America and later the United States.

Direct Democracy Government system that originated in ancient Athens. Decisions in this system are made by the citizens of the state and based on majority rule. In colonial America, the Pilgrims of the New Plymouth Plantation applied this government system in the Mayflower Compact. New England town meetings are an example of direct democracy. This was a foundation for the establishment of democracy in America.

Great Awakening A series of religious revivals from the 1730’s to the 1750’s aimed at restoring the intensity and dedication of the early Puritan Church. Emphasis was placed upon intensifying spirituality and emotional appeal through “Fire and Brimstone” sermons. Two prominent preachers were Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. Many colonists Christian faith were restored but, they did not go back to the Puritan church. Other denominations such as Methodists and Baptists started and gained followers. The colonists questioning the power of the Puritan Church led to their questioning the power of government (the King of England) over their lives.

Quakers Religious sect that was founded in England and based on the teachings of George Fox. The Quakers believed that all humans possessed an “inner light” from God. They were pacifists and did not believe in a church hierarchy which put them in conflict with the Anglican Church. A group of Quakers, led by William Penn, settled in the Pennsylvania colony. Penn established this colony on a “Holy Experiment” where any one seeking religious freedom could settle. He also planned the city of Philadelphia which means “City of Brotherly Love.” The colony Penn established began a tradition of religious freedom and set up the English colonies as a haven from religious persecution.

Bacon’s Rebellion Led by Nathaniel Bacon in 1676, this was a revolt of the former indentured servants and Piedmont farmers against the wealthy Tidewater planters. The grievances were the government did not address unfair taxes, expanding voting rights, and protect frontier farmers from Indian aggressions. This led to the uprising against Governor Berkley, destruction of Jamestown, and over 100 deaths. The Rebellion ends upon the death (due to illness) of Bacon. The effects of the rebellion were an end of indentured servitude, rise of a permanent, racially- based slavery system, and the Capital of Virginia being moved inland to Williamsburg. It was also the first uprising against a government that taxed in the colonies (No taxation without representation).

Middle Passage Middle leg of a three-part voyage that was also the Triangle Trade (Trade route from Europe to Africa to the Americas and back) that transported African slaves to the Americas. The conditions on the slave ships were brutal, unsanitary, and inhumane. The mortality rates were high due to diseases. The slaves who survived became an exploited workforce on the plantations in the Southern colonies and Latin America. The Middle Passage brought much needed laborers to the Americas.