US History Unit 1

Why did slavery grow in the American colonies in the middle 1600’s? (SSUSH1a) 

• Given the harsh colonial conditions, Englishmen refused to come to America.
• Colonial leaders saw the advantages of using slaves over indentured servants.
• Poor conditions along the African coast meant more Africans were willing to leave.
• Large scale wars in West Africa meant more slaves were available driving prices down.

How did the Virginia Company contribute to the development of Virginia? (SSUSH1a) 

• The company sold the passages to Jamestown to potential settlers but went bankrupt before the colony was established. 
• They handled the selling of shares of gold and silver colonists found to people back in England.
• Investors in the company funded the founding of the colony in hopes of returning a profit.
• They were sent by the king to establish a royal colony at Jamestown. 

Which of the following describes the impact of tobacco cultivation on Virginia? (SSUSH1a)

• Tobacco cultivation did not rely on slave labor and as a result the number of indentured servants increased. 
• The colony became dependent on tobacco as a cash crop. 
• John Rolfe developed a new kind of tobacco, but because it did not grow well in Virginia other colonies benefited instead of Virginia. 
• The settlers invested all their time and money to tobacco cultivation and as a result the colony did not make enough money to survive. 

Which of the following best describes Jamestown? (SSUSH1a)

• It was the first English colony in North America.
• The colony thrived most before tobacco was discovered.
• Colonists constantly lived in peace with Native Americans.
• Slavery became less important after Bacon’s Rebellion.

How did the colonists interact with Powhatan and the Native Americans in and around Jamestown? (SSUSH1a) 

• While the Native Americans did help them survive at times, the settlers of Jamestown were often in conflict with Powhatan and his tribe. 
• Powhatan did not want the English colonists in Virginia, but he was never able to challenge them or cause them any harm. 
• The colonists immediately paid tribute and pledged loyalty to Powhatan in exchange for permission to settle on his land.
• The colonists were grateful for Powhatan, who continuously provided aid and means of survival during hard times. 

Why is the House of Burgesses an important part of the development of Virginia and the American colonies? (SSUSH1a) 

• Created after Virginia became a royal colony, the House of Burgesses carried out the orders of the king in Virginia. 
• The leaders in the House of Burgesses prevented the king from making Virginia a royal colony. 
• The House of Burgesses allowed anyone to be a member, regardless of race or wealth. 
• As Virginia’s colonial legislature, it set a precedent for representative government, one of the founding principles of the United States. 

How was Bacon’s Rebellion an indication of growing unrest between social classes in Virginia? (SSUSH1a) 

• The poor farmers were mad at Native Americans, so the government backed them to keep peace.
• Small landowners were unhappy with how the wealthy leaders in the government handled their problems with the Native Americans on the frontier. 
• Nathaniel Bacon took up arms with the poor colonists and the Native Americans to defeat the wealthy and create a new government.
• The wealthy planters attacked the small landowners for interfering in their trade partnership with the Native Americans on the frontier.

How was the settlement of Massachusetts different from the settlement of Virginia? (SSUSH1b)

• Massachusetts was created as a haven for Quakers from England.
• Virginia was settled primarily for economic reasons rather than to escape religious persecution. 
• Virginia was created as a haven for Native Americans to escape persecution by the English colonists.
• Massachusetts was settled primarily for economic reasons rather than to escape religious persecution. 

Which factor directly affected the settlement of New England in the 1600s? (SSUSH1b) 

• Religious persecution in Great Britain.
• The opportunity to cultivate tobacco. 
• Growing conflicts with southern farmers.
• The opportunity to participate in the slave trade. 

What impact did the Puritan faith have on New England? (SSUSH1b) 

• It was one of several major religions that had religious tolerance.
• It led to the establishment of New Amsterdam.
• It defined religion and government in the region.
• It led to King Phillip’s war was an attempt to end religious dissent.