History Exam 1 Short Answer
• In what ways was British colonialism in North America similar and/or different from other European powers? Pick at least one (the Spanish, French, or Dutch) to compare to the English.
Same: the ways that they treated the Native Americans. They both wanted to incorporate faith into their colonies. Different: the British colonies were there to escape the grasp of England, and the Spanish were there for exploration, among other things.
Describe what life was like for sailors in the Atlantic World in the 18th century. Be sure to mention what motivated them to be sailors, and average working condition.
The conditions were terrible, cramped quarters, brutal discipline, low wages, disease, and the labor was intense. Impressment, the act of compelling one to serve in the military, usually by force and without notice, was the reason they became sailors.
• The late 17th century was marked by several revolts in North America. Pick one (Bacon's Rebellion, the Pueblo Revolt, or the Metacom's War) and explain its causes and broader significance.
o Bacon's Rebellion was led by Nathaniel bacon. Bacon became frustrated with the politics of VA. He rallied English and African ex-servants, and demanded the government give them access to good land and the removal of property restrictions on voting. This revellion showed that when joined together, black and whites were powerful. From that point on, black ans white slave ship diverged quickly.
• Describe and evaluate one of the explanations historians have offered for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
o One reason historians have offered for the salem witch trials is that women wanted some social control. This would make sense because women were not socially powerful. The girls that were saying they were possessed just wanted to have some more social power.
• Name and describe two of the grievances that colonists had against the British leading up to the American Revolution.
o One thing the colonists didn't like was the stamp act of 1765. The act repuired that printed material produced in the colonies carried a stamp from authorities. Another as the Boston massacre. The people did not appreciate the British soldiers being there, and they were mad that citizens got shot.
• What role did religion play in the British colonies in North America during the 17th century? Be careful to make distinctions between New England and the Chesapeake.
o Religion played an important tole in the colony's early history. They had laws that required them to attend church. Although as time went on, religion became less of a big deal. In New England faced some backlash after the Anne Hutchinson trial so they created the Half-Way Covenant to be more open to new members. Chesapeake however established the Church of England in Virginia and taxpayers paid for the church no matter if they were Anflicans.
Compare and Contrast the characteristics of Spanish, French, and Dutch colonialism in the Americas.
o The Spanish was after gold, glory, and God, whereas the French were motivated by fish, fur, and faith. The Spanish treated the indigenous people almost like they were slaves, but the French had what is called "middle ground" with them. The French had missionary settlements. The Dutch was there to find the Northwestern Passage. Just like the French. The Dutch dominated international commerce.
• In what ways do the popular stories of the First Thanksgiving and/or Pocahontas distort the history of British colonization of North America? Pick one of these stories and discuss how it obscures the actual History.
o The story of the first thanksgiving makes the history with the natives and pilfrims seem like they got along. When in reality they didn't. the only reason they tolerated each other during thanksgiving was because the Indians had gone through an epidemic and were in a weakened state.
