UNITED STATES STUDY QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 2: Europeans Establish Colonies
Ch. 2, Section 1
1. What factors enabled the Spaniards to conquer the Native Americans?
• Superior weaponry—guns/horses provided the Spanish with an important
military advantage over the Native Americans.
• Alliances forged with certain Native American groups against other Native
Americans helped the Spanish win battles.
• European diseases wiped out a large number of Native Americans,
weakening them militarily.
• The Spanish belief in the superiority of their culture and religion allowed
them to impose their own way of life on Native American people.
2. Name the large population which resulted from the intermarriage of Spanish and
Native American.
Mestizo—mix between Spanish and Native Americans.
3. How did Spain maintain control over its American colonies?
By establishing a network of presidios (forts) forcing indigenous populations to
adopt Spanish culture and religion, setting up a racial hierarchy, and
intermarrying.
4. What was the name of the system abolished by the Spanish monarchy? What did
Spanish landlords do to meet their labor needs?
The Spanish monarchy abolished the Encomienda system because that system
brutally exploited Native Americans. This was a system in which the Spanish
forced Native workers into slave labor on farms, ranches, or mines. Later, the
Spanish landlords in New Spain turned to African slaves to meet their labor
needs.
5. Why did the Spanish explore and colonize New Mexico and Florida in the 1600s?
They originally explored the area looking for gold; they colonized the area to
create a defensive zone to keep other Europeans away from New Spain.
6. Who was able to keep the Spanish out of New Mexico for 12 yrs?
Pope’ was a Pueblo religious leader who did not like the Spanish. He led the
Pueblo’s rebellion against Spain.
7. What was the Pope’ Rebellion? What group of people was involved in this
rebellion? What was the result?
• This was a rebellion of Native Americans against the Spanish resulted
from the religious leader of the Pueblos (Pope) angered by the Spanish way of
life (diseases, famine, and violence).
•
•
•
His uprising against the Spanish drove the Spanish out of New Mexico
(Santa Fe) for 12 years.
Native Americans destroyed Spanish churches (Congregacions) and
executed Spanish priests because the settlers had forced the Native Americans
to pay tribute to their religious leader. Those who failed to pay tribute or who
were caught practicing their native religion were abused physically.
The Spanish eventually returned to show greater restraint toward the
Pueblos.
Ch. 2, Section 2
1. Explain the Northwest Passage.
It was a water route to Asia through the cold waters of present day Canada. They
probed the eastern coastline of North America from present-day North Carolina to
Newfoundland.
2. How did France’s American colonies differ from Spain’s American colonies?
Unlike the Spanish colonies, the settlement of New France reflected the beneficial
relationship that developed between Native Americans and the French, who
required the Native Americans cooperation to carry on the fur trade.
3. Why might good relations with Indians have been important to French traders?
The Native Americans caught the plentiful animals and traded the valuable skins
with the French.
4. Where was the French colony? Who founded the territory?
Quebec, it was the first permanent European (French) settlement in Canada. The
French built a fortified trading post in Quebec along the St. Lawrence River in
1608. It was founded by Samuel de Champlain, who traded furs/animal skins
with the Native Americans.
5. Why did New France attract few colonists?
The dense forests, a relatively harsh climate, and fear of Indian raids made
settlement in New France unappealing.
Ch. 2, Section 3
1. Explain joint-stock company. What would be the benefit of a joint-stock
company?
A group of investors who would put their money together to fund trips to the New
World with hopes of sharing in the company’s profits and losses from the
expected raw materials found. This arrangement would make it possible to fund
ventures that were too expensive to be financed by an individual and would also
spread the risk among a number of investors.
2. Who was John Smith?
John Smith became known as the “savior for the area”. He was a selfproclaimed soldier of fortune, a sea captain, and a poet. He saved
Jamestown by encouraging the colonists to farm for survival. With the help
of Smith’s leadership, the production of tobacco became a profitable crop for the
small English settlement of Jamestown.
3. What did the settlers in Jamestown directed most of their energy toward?
They were only interested in finding gold (dig gold, wash gold, load gold, etc).
They came to North America to find wealth. They had little interest in promoting
the general welfare of the colony. They were ill-prepared for settlement. The
first settlers were all men.
4. Explain the original purpose of the Jamestown colony. Why did the settlers fail
so miserable on fulfilling that purpose?
The first English colonies in North America were set up in the hopes of achieving
financial gain (finding gold and other riches) for investors (joint-stock
companies). These colonists came to the new world to make a profit for the
Virginia Company. Many refused to farm, clean their bodies, and take care of
their food causing diseases and malnutrition, etc.
5. What actually made Jamestown into a profitable enterprise? How did it save the
colony? Who was responsible for this product?
Jamestown finally became productive when they started to produce
tobaccobrown gold. Tobacco provided a cash crop that colonists could sell at
a profit. John Smith (leader of the colony) helped to encourage the growth of this
crop.
6. Explain the Headright system.
Headright system—(land ownership) each new arrival received 50 acres of land
and another 50 acres for each family member. The Virginia Company would give
the land with hopes of having more settlers live in Jamestown. This extra number
of settlers would allow for an increase in tobacco production and tobacco profit.
7. What was the purpose of the House of Burgesses?
It served as the first representative body in colonial America. It included 2
citizens or burgesses from each of Virginia’s 11 districts. The House of
Burgesses began a strong tradition of representative government in the English
colonies.
8. How did the government of Virginia differ from the governments of the Spanish
and French colonies?
Unlike the Spanish and French colonies, colonial Virginia was permitted to
establish a representative body, called the House of Burgesses, which could make
laws and raise taxes for the settlers.
9. Describe the relationship between settlers and Powhatan people.
• The relationship between the English and Native Americans was lukewarm
and poor. The English fought the Native Americans and drove them away
from Virginia.
• As more and more settlers arrived in Jamestown on the frontier, relations
between the settlers and the Powhatan people worsened.
• The colonist stole land from the Powhatan people, leading to the Powhatan
people harassing the settlers by killing the colonist’s livestock and destroying
their farms.
10. What is a Royal colony? What was the result of Virginia being a royal colony?
• In 1624, King James I revoked the Virginia Company’s charter and made
Jamestown a royal colony which meant it became under the direct control
of the King.
 This allowed for more British troops and settlers to come to Virginia and
strengthen the colony.
 It also allowed for them to be present to fight against/conquer the
Powhatan people.
11. Who was Nathaniel Bacon? Why did Nathaniel Bacon lead a rebellion against
the governor (Berkeley) of Virginia?
A 29 year old wealthy planter that came to the settler’s rescue, he raised an
army to fight the Native Americans over land. He also protested the Virginia
government in defense of poor settlers. Bacon’s Rebellion started because of
Nathaniel Bacon’s sympathy with the problems faced by English settlers on the
frontier. Bacon led a protest against the governor of Virginia due to the treatment
of the poor settlers. Frontiersmen resented being taxed and ruled without their
consent by the Virginia governor. It was the favoritism show by Governor
Berkeley toward the wealthiest class, the heavy taxes he levied on poorer
farmers, and his unwillingness to support farmers’ aggressions against the
Native Americans.
12. What was the colony Georgia purpose? Who was it named after and by whom?
Georgia was established as a haven for those imprisoned for debt. The colony
was named by English philanthropist James Oglethorpe in honor of King
George II.
13. Name Oglethorpe’s policies for the colony?
Although few debtors actually came, Oglethorpe’s policies included:
prohibiting slavery and drinking of rum.
Ch. 2, Section 4
1. Who was John Winthrop?
John Winthrop was the first leader, governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony
and he wanted the colony to be viewed as a model society.
2.
What was the meaning of the Puritan concept of a “city upon a hill”?
The Puritan’s views and attitudes led them to promote the idea of a “model
society” meaning hard work and a good work ethic would lead to rapid
growth and success of the New England colony. Every colonist would have the
same common goals and lead by example. Also each would be able to worship as
they chose.
3. How were the Separatists different from other Puritans?
The Puritans wanted to reform the Church of England anything that was of
Catholic values in their church. This was due to them being persecuted in
England. They traveled to the New England territory in the new world.
Separatists (Puritans who broke away from the Anglican Church), known as
Pilgrims. They felt it was impossible to reform to the Church of England from
within so they wanted to separate from the Anglican Church.
4. Why did the Puritans leave England?
The Puritans wanted to escape religious persecution in England. Some puritans,
such as the Pilgrims left to break away from the Church of England. Others left
to escape political, social, and economic turmoil. The Puritans believed the
Church of England needed to be reform—purified. They ended up leaving
England and settled in colonial America. In the beginning the Massachusetts Bay
Colony was the Puritans hope to be able to worship as they chose and to create a
model society.
5. What was the purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
A civil type of government that pledged loyalty to the King. The purpose of the
government in America would be to frame “just and equal laws” for the general
good of the colony. Later this document became the landmark of American
democratic government.
6. Why was the government established by Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay
Colony unique?
It was a representative form of government (in which only
stockholders/landholders, all adult males who belonged to the Puritan church
could vote), featuring an assembly, a governor, and a deputy governor who were
only elected by the colony’s Puritan men.
7. Who is Roger Williams? What caused conflict between the Puritans and Roger
Williams? What resulted in the conflict?
Roger Williams was a preacher that spoke out against some of the religious
practices in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He believed everyone should be
free to worship. He also believed the Puritan’s had no right to the land
unless they purchased it from the Native Americans. The Puritan leaders
ordered that Williams be arrested. Williams left and founded Providence,
Rhode Island; a haven for religious dissenters where religious freedom is
guaranteed.
8. What two principles of did Providence guarantee that Massachusetts Bay did not?
Providence guaranteed: separation of the church and state and religious
freedom.
9. Who was Anne Hutchinson? What were the cause and the result of the conflict
between the Puritan church and Anne Hutchinson?
A separatist who spoke out against the Puritan beliefs by stating one could
“interpret the bible for themselves”. This encouraged many people to reframe
from attending daily church gatherings. She was banished from the
Massachusetts Bay Colony, so she settled in Rhode Island and founded the
town of Portsmouth.
10. What caused the conflict between Pequot and the Puritans? What was the result
of the conflict?
The colonist wanted to keep moving west. Their first conflict arose with the
Pequot nation. The Pequot people lived east of the Connecticut River. The
Pequot war results in all of the following:
1-virtual elimination of the Pequot nation (5/400 lived)
2-extreme violence on the part of English colonists
3-cooperation between English colonists and Native American allies
4-resulted in victory for the puritans
11. Why did Wampanoag chief Metacom organize an alliance?
The Wampanoag Chief Metacom organized an alliance because they had very
different views, religious beliefs, and interpretations of land treaties from the
Puritans. These negative views were displayed on both sides (Wampanoag
and Puritans).
12. What caused the conflict King Phillip’s War (between the Wampanoag and the
Puritans)? What was the result of the conflict?
Wampanoag and Puritans had very different views: the influx of settlers as well
as the Puritan intolerance for religious dissent led to the destruction of the
Wampanoag way of life. They fought back by starting King Phillip’s war in
1675; Chief Metacom led several tribes in King Phillip’s war.
This war resulted in colonial victory (due to surrender because of Native
American casualties, European diseases, and famine) and end of Native
American power in southeastern New England.
Ch. 2, Section 5
1. What was the name of the colony organized by the Dutch West India Company?
In 1621, Dutch government granted the newly formed Dutch West India company
permission to colonize New Netherland and expand the thriving fur trade. The
Dutch built New Amsterdam at the tip of Manhattan to guard the mouth of the
Hudson River, along which they settled.
2. What were some important characteristics of the colony of New Netherland?
Ethnic diversity and religious tolerance resulted in generally good relations
with the Native Americans. New Netherland did not have elected assemblies.
3. Explain how New York got its name?
In 1664, King Charles II seized control of the New Netherland colony (which
included New Amsterdam) and granted all the land from Delaware Bay to the
Connecticut River to his brother James (Duke of York). This was done due to the
Dutch’s unfriendly relationship with the English King who took over the colony
(he was blamed for separating the northern and southern colonies).
4. How was New Jersey formed?
New Jersey was formed due to the Duke of York giving a portion of the land to
two of his friends naming the territory New Jersey for the British island of Jersey.
New Jersey was the southern part of New York.
5. Who was William Penn?
William Penn started the colony of Pennsylvania. He committed himself to the
“society of friends, or Quakers”; a Protestant sect who’s religious and social
beliefs were radical for the times.
6. How did the Quaker beliefs compare to the Puritan beliefs?
• Quaker believed in an “inner light” and respect for self-conscience; practiced
freedom of speech, religious tolerance allowed, and no ministers.
• Puritans purify the Anglican Church and no religious tolerance; build a model
society and had ministers.
• Both groups believed in a personal experience with god
7. What were some important characteristics of the colony of Pennsylvania?
The idea of equality, cooperation, and religious tolerance; they held services
without formal openings allowing any other person to speak as the spirit moved
them. Dress plainly, refused to defer to any person of rank; refused to serve in the
military.
8. Explain why William Penn saw his colony as a “holy experiment”?
Penn saw his colony as a “holy experiment” because it was a place without a land
owning aristocracy. Penn guaranteed every adult male settler 50 acres of land and
the right to vote. His plan for government called for a representative assembly
and freedom of religion.
9. How did Penn’s attitude and actions toward the Native Americans differ from
those of the Puritans?
Very friendly relations with the Native Americans. Penn desired to gain respect
and friendship (Penn/Native Americans). He paid the Native Americans for land;
Regulated trade with the Native Americans; Established a court to settle
differences for more than 50 years. All resulted in no major conflicts with the
Native Americans. Penn sought to cultivate peace with the Native Americans.
10. Explain the half-way covenant as it affected the Puritan church.
It established partial membership in the Puritan church for the children and
grandchildren of full members regardless of any conversion experience.
11. What were the underlying causes of the Salem witch hunts in 1692?
The strict limitations of women’s roles, combined with social tensions. The
strained relationship with Native Americans and religious fanaticism lay behind
the witch hunts.
12. What factors led to the witchcraft trials in Salem? Explain the Salem Witchcraft
Trials.
The Salem girls accusing Tituba (West Indian woman) of practicing witchcraft.
The constant fear of Native American attacks encouraged preoccupation with
violence and death. These accusations drew a great deal of attention and sparked
widespread hysteria.