Glossary
"Breadbasket" Colonies
A nickname for the Middle Colonies (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware) due to their fertile land and significant production of grains like wheat.
Example:
The "Breadbasket" Colonies played a crucial role in feeding the growing colonial population and exporting agricultural products.
"City Upon a Hill"
A phrase coined by John Winthrop, envisioning the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a model Christian society that would serve as an example to the world.
Example:
The concept of a "City Upon a Hill" has profoundly influenced American exceptionalism and the idea of the United States as a beacon of liberty.
Act of Toleration (1649)
A law passed in Maryland granting religious freedom to all Christians, though it did not extend to non-Christians.
Example:
The Act of Toleration in Maryland was an important step towards religious freedom in the colonies, albeit with significant limitations.
Anne Hutchinson
A spiritual leader who challenged Puritan religious authority and gender norms, leading to her banishment from Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Example:
Anne Hutchinson's defiance of male religious leaders highlighted early tensions over individual interpretation of scripture and authority in the colonies.
Connecticut
A New England colony founded by Puritans, notable for adopting the Fundamental Orders, considered the first written constitution in North America.
Example:
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established a representative government, laying groundwork for future democratic principles.
Dutch
The initial European settlers of New York (originally New Amsterdam) before it was taken by the English.
Example:
The Dutch influence can still be seen in the architecture and place names of New York City, such as Wall Street and Harlem.
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Adopted in 1639, this document is considered the first written constitution in North America, establishing a representative government for the Connecticut colony.
Example:
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut demonstrated an early American commitment to written laws and structured governance.
Georgia
The southernmost British colony, founded by James Oglethorpe as a buffer against Spanish Florida and a place for debtors to start anew.
Example:
Georgia's initial prohibition of slavery was eventually overturned due to economic pressures from planters seeking to cultivate cash crops.
Indentured Servants
Individuals who voluntarily agreed to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to the colonies, food, shelter, and eventual freedom dues.
Example:
Before the widespread use of enslaved labor, indentured servants formed the primary workforce for tobacco cultivation in the Chesapeake colonies.
James Oglethorpe
The founder of Georgia, who envisioned it as a utopian colony for debtors and a military buffer against Spanish expansion.
Example:
James Oglethorpe initially sought to create a society in Georgia free from slavery and large landholdings, though these ideals were eventually abandoned.
Jamestown
The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in Virginia in 1607, initially struggling with high mortality rates.
Example:
The early years of Jamestown were marked by disease, starvation, and conflict with Native Americans, nearly leading to its collapse.
John Winthrop
A prominent leader and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for his vision of a 'city upon a hill'.
Example:
John Winthrop's sermon articulated the Puritan ideal of creating a model Christian society for the world to emulate.
Maryland
A Chesapeake Colony founded by Lord Baltimore as a haven for Catholics and for profit, known for its Act of Toleration.
Example:
Maryland attempted to balance the interests of its Catholic founders with the growing Protestant population through its religious policies.
Massachusetts Bay Colony
Established in 1629 by Puritans, it became a major center of Puritan religious and political influence in New England.
Example:
The strict religious laws and social conformity of the Massachusetts Bay Colony often led to the banishment of those who challenged its authority.
Pennsylvania
A Middle Colony founded by William Penn, known for its religious tolerance, diverse population, and prosperous agricultural economy.
Example:
Pennsylvania's policy of welcoming various religious groups made it one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse colonies.
Plantation System
An agricultural system in the Southern Colonies characterized by large farms producing cash crops, primarily relying on enslaved labor.
Example:
The plantation system created a rigid social hierarchy in the South, with wealthy landowners at the top and enslaved Africans at the bottom.
Plymouth Colony
Founded in 1620 by Pilgrims, it was one of the earliest successful English settlements in North America, later merging with Massachusetts Bay.
Example:
The Mayflower Compact, signed by the settlers of Plymouth Colony, represented an early form of self-governance in the New World.
Predestination
A core Puritan belief that God has already determined who will be saved (the 'elect') and who will be damned, regardless of their actions.
Example:
Despite believing in predestination, Puritans still strived to live morally upright lives, seeking signs of their salvation.
Puritans
A group of English Protestants who sought to 'purify' the Church of England of its Catholic practices and traditions.
Example:
Many early American colonists, like those who settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony, were Puritans seeking to establish a society based on their religious beliefs.
Quakers
A peaceful religious group (Society of Friends) known for their belief in inner light, equality, pacifism, and religious tolerance.
Example:
The Quakers in Pennsylvania were pioneers in advocating for abolitionism and fair treatment of Native Americans.
Rhode Island
Founded by Roger Williams, this colony was known for its commitment to religious tolerance and separation of church and state.
Example:
Rhode Island became a haven for religious dissenters and those seeking freedom from the strict Puritanical rule of neighboring colonies.
Rice
A major export crop of South Carolina, which required extensive labor and contributed significantly to the colony's wealth and reliance on slavery.
Example:
The cultivation of rice in South Carolina's swampy lowlands was extremely labor-intensive, leading to a majority enslaved population in the colony.
Roger Williams
A Puritan minister banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony for advocating religious tolerance and the separation of church and state.
Example:
Roger Williams founded Rhode Island, establishing a colony where religious dissenters could worship freely without fear of persecution.
Separatists (Pilgrims)
An extreme faction of Puritans who believed the Church of England was beyond reform and chose to break away entirely.
Example:
The Pilgrims, a group of Separatists, famously sailed on the Mayflower to establish Plymouth Colony, seeking religious freedom from persecution.
Slavery
A system of forced labor, predominantly involving enslaved Africans, that became the foundation of the Southern Colonies' economy and society.
Example:
The institution of slavery profoundly shaped the economic, social, and political development of the Southern colonies, leading to lasting racial inequalities.
Tobacco
The primary cash crop of the Chesapeake colonies (Virginia and Maryland), which drove their economy and labor demands.
Example:
The immense profitability of tobacco cultivation led to the expansion of plantations and a growing reliance on forced labor in the South.
Town Meetings
A form of direct democracy common in New England colonies, where male church members gathered to discuss and vote on local issues.
Example:
Town Meetings allowed for significant local self-governance and fostered a strong sense of community participation in New England.
William Penn
A Quaker who founded Pennsylvania as a 'Holy Experiment' based on religious freedom, peaceful relations with Native Americans, and fair governance.
Example:
William Penn's vision for Pennsylvania attracted a diverse array of immigrants seeking refuge from religious persecution.