Report on the Colonies

One of the standard assisgments when studying colonial America is to do a report on one of the colonies. Here are nine items to cover when doing a paper on a colony.

1) Reason the colony was founded?

2) Who were the first settlers?

3) What were the first steps in founding the colony?

4) What form of government was established?

5) Who were the leaders?

6) What was the relations with the Native American?

7) What rights did the colonist have?

8) What was the climate of the colony?

9) What were the major elements of the economy of the colony?

Mayflower Compact - A document signed by the adult males aboard the ship Mayflower before landing in Plymouth. The members agreed to follow the rules established by the majority, and governor so appointed.

Petition - To make a request either in writing or orally

Plantation- A large farm in which either slaves or low paid workers do much of the work growing cash crops

Petition - To make a request either in writing or orally

Proprietary colony- A colony that was owned by specific people, whose goal was to earn a personal profit from the colony.

Puritans- A religious group initially in England that did not accept the practices of the Church of England and attempted to purify the religion. They tried to change the church from within. Most puritans settled in New England.

Quakers A religious group that believed that all people, rich or poor were equal before God. They refused to serve in the military, let women speak at their meetings and did not believe in paying taxes.

Rights- The powers or privileges that people have that cannot be taken away by the government

Rural- people who live on farms or in small villages

Separatist- These people were so unhappy with the state of the Anglican church, they separated themselves from the church and prayed separately. They were persecuted by the government and many moved to Holland and then to New England as Pilgrims

Starving Time- That period in Jamestowns history x the third winter where almost 90% of the people died of starvation

Subsistence Farming- Farming to grow food just to meet a families own needs

Urban- People who live in cities